Paragliding
French athlete makes it to goal
Damien Lacaze reaches the finish line with a remarkable comeback on Day 9 of the world’s toughest adventure race.
Damien Lacaze (FRA1) has reached the finish line in Zell am See, becoming the first French athlete to do so in this year’s Red Bull X-Alps. His arrival marked an extraordinary comeback that highlighted the grit and determination emblematic of the world’s toughest adventure race.
Damien was all smiles as he was welcomed with cheers atop Turnpoint 16, Schmittenhöhe. Completing the final leg of his epic journey in stunning fashion, he surprised spectators and supporters alike by averaging 35.8 km/h over the final 59 km flight.
Walking is painful for me at the moment, so I really needed this flight
"I'm exhausted, but happy," Lacaze said. "It was so difficult the last two days. Walking is painful for me at the moment, so I really needed this flight."
Damien Lacaze (FRA1) on his way to the finishing float in Lake Zell
© zooom / Maximilian Gierl
A six-hour penalty for entering restricted airspace on Day 8 was a significant setback, but Damien showed remarkable resilience and skill to recover much of that lost time. Day 8 also presented tough conditions that threatened to derail his race entirely.
This marks Damien’s third appearance in Red Bull X-Alps. After finishing 11th in 2021 and second in 2023 – famously completing that edition with an early-hours swim to the finishing float – his performance this year further cements his reputation as one of the best athletes of the 2025 line-up.
The remaining two French athletes are still on their way to Zell am See. Rémi Bourdelle (FRA5) was hiking towards Turnpoint 16, Schmittenhöhe, with an expected arrival in the early evening today. While Tanguy Renaud-Goud (FRA4) is currently in 10th position. Both Maxime Pinot (FRA2) and Tim Alongi (FRA3) had previously withdrawn from the race.
The race is still on!
Follow the remaining athletes and their adventures via 3D Live Tracking here and get the latest race updates directly via the Red Bull X-Alps WhatsApp channel.
