Paragliding
Race to Niesen
It’s neck and neck at the front as leading athletes reach Niesen on Day 4 of Red Bull X-Alps.
Amid captivating scenes atop the 2,300m mountain known as the Swiss Pyramid, Niesen, the Italian athlete Tobias Grossrubatscher (ITA2) became the first athlete to tag Turnpoint 8, Niesen.
This is the second time Niesen has been featured as a Turnpoint in the world’s toughest adventure race. It delivered once again, with spectators and fans crowding the summit as athletes swooped in by air.
For the athletes, the day began with promising expectations – but it proved slower than anticipated. The thermal air they need to gain height was weak and by midday, they were struggling to get over the Furkapass, one of several obstacles blocking the way. Many were forced to land, including Damien Lacaze (FRA1), Tanguy Renaud-Goud (FRA4) and Lars Meerstetter (SUI4).
It took a lot of time for the thermal lift to develop, and it’s not that good
Race director Ferdinand Vogel, who was at the pass monitoring events, explained: “It’s quite stable, which is not ideal for paragliding. It took a lot of time for the thermal lift to develop, and it’s not that good.”
However, it looked like one athlete had made it through. Chrigel Maurer (SUI1), who took a different approach by hiking up, was the first to get away and made a bold move directly across the high mountains of the Bernese Oberland.
But he ran into difficulty, was forced to land and hike back up and was soon overtaken by his fellow countryman Lars Meerstetter (SUI4), who led the way to Niesen. The Turnpoint holds an emotional pull for all four Swiss athletes, who all come from the region.
After tagging Turnpoint 8, Niesen, the lead group hoped to make as much mileage as possible on the course line towards the next Turnpoint, Mont Blanc.
We anticipate the first athletes could reach goal on Monday or Tuesday
Race co-founder Ulrich Grill said: “It’s only Day 4 but it’s proving a great race so far. It’s a big adventure with all the weather challenges. We anticipate the first athletes could reach goal in Zell am See, Austria, on Monday or Tuesday!”
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