Paragliding
Rules you need to know
Understanding the rules of Red Bull X-Alps is essential for all athletes, supporters, and followers to maximize their experience. Here's an overview of some of the most important ones.
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Run, hike, climb, or paraglide
Every athlete has to complete the whole 1,283 km course either on foot or by paragliding in 12 days. The race course includes 16 Turnpoints, between which athletes must use their best judgment in the given conditions to cover the distance by hiking, trail running, mountaineering, or paragliding, while carrying all their essential gear. When the conditions allow and the thermals are booming, pilots prefer to cover as much distance as possible flying. During Red Bull X-Alps 2023, Damien Lacaze (FRA1) flew a record-breaking 226km flight in 11 hours.
Rest is essential – and mandatory
Between all race days, there is a mandatory rest period. Athletes must stop for a minimum of seven consecutive hours every day between 21:00 and 06:00. This is defined as the Minimum Rest Period.
The hours between 23:00 and 04:00 are non-moving hours for all teams, and athletes are not allowed to fly between 21:00 and 06:00. Athletes must communicate with the race director every time they start and stop their race period.
The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all pilots get enough rest to be able to safely navigate the challenges provided by the world’s toughest adventure race, especially when flying in difficult conditions.
Night Pass
Every athlete has one Night Pass to use, which allows them to skip the mandatory rest period and continue hiking throughout the night. Flying however is still restricted between 21:00 and 06:00.
The three best athletes of the Prologue earn an additional Night Pass for the main race. Pulling the Night Pass is a strategic move that can give an edge, especially for athletes on the verge of elimination, to avoid the “axeman.” A Night Pass can give the leading athletes a chance to pull ahead.
The axeman cometh
To avoid the race being too spread out, the team ranked last gets eliminated every 48 hours. The first elimination occurred today at 8:00 to Hugo Alvarez Chamoreau (MEX). The next eliminations will take place on June 20, 22, 24, and 26.
As the axeman looms every 48 hours, the pressure builds, making every strategic decision, every thermal, and every step on foot a potential game-changer in the world’s toughest adventure race.
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