Paragliding
Line-up for 2027 revealed
More athletes, more female competitors and a new generation of rookies ready to take on the legends.
The world's toughest adventure race returns in 2027 and this is the official line-up! With a total number of 37 athletes from 16 countries, it’s the largest field in the race’s history, in part due to seven women making the list, the highest number of female athletes ever. For the first time, there will be a separate female ranking.
Seven female athletes
The female athletes include Celine Lorenz (GER2), the only female veteran. The remaining six female athletes are all rookies. Romy Sweda (SUI7) is among the fittest female hike-and-fly athletes who won a wildcard entry after her victory at the Red Bull X-Alps Challenger 2026. She will find herself up against Elisa Deutschmann (GER4), who has been on an unstoppable run lately. Both athletes have previously supported eight-time champion Chrigel Maurer (SUI2). Also in the line-up is Solène Rombourg (FRA6), an adventurer who has journeyed in the remotest regions of the Andes and Patagonia.
Romy Sweda is among the fittest female hike-and-fly athletes
© zooom / Christian Lorenz
Red Bull X-Alps is a legendary race, a great adventure and a unique opportunity to challenge myself
16 rookies and 19 veterans
There are 16 rookies in total, many of whom are young, hungry and keen to take on the legends of the race. They include the 20-year-old Aaron Matthis (SUI6) who won a wildcard entry after an incredible performance during the Red Bull X-Alps Challenger 2026.
Another athlete who demonstrated at that event that he has what it takes is Lucas Bonin (FRA4), a French hike-and-fly champion. He narrowly missed out on the Red Bull X-Alps Challenger podium and is the kind of athlete who could challenge the veterans.
Lucas Bonin during the Red Bull X-Alps Challenger 2026
© zooom / Christian Lorenz
Charles de Beaufort (FRA3) is also part of the new wave of French talent. “I want to show that the new generation is on fire – and the young guns can stand up to the legends,” he says.
Of the legends, there are still plenty of them. Chrigel Maurer (SUI2) is back for his tenth edition. He will be keen to wrestle the crown that has been his for 15 years from Aaron Durogati (ITA1), who won in spectacular style in 2025. Who will win the duel this time?
Other notable veterans include the Swiss titan, Lars Meerstetter who came second in 2025 and now has the SUI1 race number, Simon Oberrauner (AUT1), who came third in 2021 and 2025 and four-time veteran Patrick von Känel (SUI3). After missing the 2025 edition due to injury Tom de Dorlodot (BEL) returns for his tenth edition, having first competed in the 2007 race.
The level is so unbelievably high
Red Bull X-Alps 2027 line-up
© zooom productions
“This is one of the most thrilling line-ups in Red Bull X-Alps history,” says race organizer Ulrich Grill. “We have more athletes than ever before as the level now is so unbelievably high. It’s also really exciting to have so many female athletes taking part and that will add another thrilling dimension to the race. Overall, it’s great to see so many rookies, many of them capable of challenging for the podium.”
Red Bull X-Alps 2027 line-up:
- Juan Cruz Cabezas (ARG) - Rookie
- Simon Oberrauner (AUT1) - Veteran
- Samuel Tanner (AUT2) - Veteran
- Pauline Müller (AUT3) - Rookie
- Andreas Viehböck (AUT4) - Rookie
- Tom de Dorlodot (BEL) - Veteran
- Gabriel Jansen Rabello (BRA) - Veteran
- Patrick Harvey-Collard (CAN) - Veteran
- David Chen (CHN) - Rookie
- Ondrej Prochazka (CZE) - Veteran
- Mattin Iñiguez (ESP) - Veteran
- Tanguy Renaud-Goud (FRA1) - Veteran
- Mael Baguet (FRA2) - Rookie
- Charles de Beaufort (FRA3) - Rookie
- Lucas Bonin (FRA4) - Rookie
- Arthur Moindrot (FRA5) - Rookie
- Solène Rombourg (FRA6) - Rookie
- Markus Anders (GER1) - Veteran
- Celine Lorenz (GER2) - Veteran
- Christian Schugg (GER3) - Veteran
- Elisa Deutschmann (GER4) - Rookie
- Aaron Durogati (ITA1) - Champion
- Davide Sassudelli (ITA2) - Veteran
- Andrea Conci (ITA3) - Rookie
- Silvia Galli (ITA4) - Rookie
- Sebrand Warren (NED) - Veteran
- Michal Gierlach (POL) - Veteran
- Lars Meerstetter (SUI1) - Veteran
- Christian Maurer (SUI2) - Veteran
- Patrick von Känel (SUI3) - Veteran
- Nicola Heiniger (SUI4) - Veteran
- Noé Court (SUI5) - Rookie
- Aaron Mathis (SUI6) - Rookie
- Romy Sweda (SUI7) - Rookie
- Stephanie Westerhuis (SUI8) - Rookie
- Daniel Rosinksy (SVK) - Rookie
- Jared Scheid (USA) - Veteran
Find out more about the athletes, their training and what their goals for next year's race are here!
