Paragliding
Epic battle unfolds as race reaches midpoint
Lars Meerstetter (SUI4) led the field across northern Italy, just ahead of 8-time champion Chrigel Maurer (SUI1) on Day 6 of the world’s toughest adventure race.
The tantalizing question hanging over Red Bull X-Alps 2025 in the middle of Day 6 was whether the protégé could finally overtake the master. Lars Meerstetter (SUI4) led the field of athletes across northern Italy on the longest leg of the Red Bull X-Alps route, flying just kilometers ahead of the athlete he supported in the 2023 edition - 8-time champion Chrigel Maurer (SUI1).
The two Swiss athletes, along with Aaron Durogati (ITA1), led the field across the grueling 247km leg from Turnpoint 10, Les 2 Alpes, to Turnpoint 11, Ascona-Locarno. By early afternoon, they were expected to reach Turnpoint 12, Bellinzona, with the possibility of reaching the crucial X-Turnpoint, St. Moritz, by early evening.
Racing mother nature
However, one formidable opponent stood in their path: the threat of thunderstorms. Many athletes expressed pessimism about the day's prospects, fearing that developing clouds would develop into storm systems and shut down flying conditions. If that happens, athletes must continue on foot - an unwelcome prospect in the high heat of northern Italy.
"We will see how it progresses with the weather," said Isaac Lammers, supporting Jared Scheid (USA) on his way to Turnpoint 9, Mont Blanc. The team wanted to stay flexible with their plans and make the right decisions to "beat the thunderstorms".
Tommy Friedrich (AUT2) soars at Red Bull X-Alps in Besse, France 2025
© zooom / Lukas Pilz
Race co-founder and organizer Ulrich Grill captured the intensity of the competition: "This is Formula 1 of the air. It's extremely fast-paced upfront and we've never seen speeds like this before."
With athletes now past the midpoint of the race, they're charging toward the X-Turnpoint at St. Moritz for the second time before the final leg of this epic journey to the finish in Zell am See, Austria.
Adventure adversity
Meanwhile, the rest of the field battles on, fatigued but maintaining good spirits as they push ahead, embracing the adventure with their teams. Celine Lorenz (GER2), the only female in the race, shared her challenging experience from yesterday when she became separated from her teammates.
"I tried to fly the same route as the others did this morning, but I got flushed down in a really tough valley," she said. "There was a big river, and I landed on the wrong side, but I wanted to land safely.” The veteran athlete thought it was going to be easy to escape her landing area, but it took her six hours! “It was so exhausting,” she said. “A really hard day, but it was a pretty area – although, I prefer to see it from the air."
Sportsmanship shines
In a remarkable display of sportsmanship, James Elliott (CAN1) was eliminated this morning as the athlete in last place after Bei Yu (CHN) overtook him at the final moment. Bei pushed hard to avoid elimination. Elliott had already decided his mind “wasn’t in the race” and would end his race here. He made the difficult decision to stop and wait rather than withdraw, giving Bei Yu the chance to continue.
"It's probably the hardest decision I've ever made, not to keep going. But I think it was the right one," Elliott told race director Ferdinand Vogel. He even sent Bei encouraging messages - a true demonstration of the spirit that defines Red Bull X-Alps.
With 28 athletes remaining in the race, the battle continues as weather, strategy, and sheer determination combine to create one of the most thrilling editions of Red Bull X-Alps.
Follow all the action via 3D Live Tracking here and get the latest race updates directly via the Red Bull X-Alps WhatsApp channel.
