Paragliding
Supporter drives 300km to keep athlete's dream alive
Red Bull X-Alps can be tough on athletes and also on their equipment. But, how tough does it get for those who support them all the way to the finish?
When the call came
Juraj Koreň (SVK) was facing every pilot's nightmare. After a tough landing that seriously damaged his glider, the Slovakian veteran found himself without a spare wing and his race dreams hanging by a thread. But in Red Bull X-Alps, friendship and determination can work miracles.
The solution came in the form of Mike Kremere, a professional test pilot with years of experience building, adjusting and repairing gliders. When Juraj's distress call came through, Mike didn't hesitate.
"It was three hours driving from here. Juraj called me saying 'I need your help'," Mike said. "I've known Juraj for many years and before Red Bull X-Alps he asked me if he could call me in case he had some damage. I said yes, if it's in a radius of 100km."
The mission
Mike loaded up his camper van with a sewing machine and repair materials, but first had to make a detour to collect Juraj's spare glider from his home. Setting off around 16:00, he arrived at the scene around 19:00 for what would become a three-hour repair marathon.
It was quite a tough repair
"I actually wanted to do the repair outside but because it was so windy, it was difficult with some parts blowing around," Mike explains. "The internal structure was also damaged, so I had to rebuild that also. It took me around three hours to do the repair. It was quite a tough repair."
Supporter Mike Kremere drove 300km to repair Juraj Koren's wing
© Filip Benček
More than just support
This story perfectly illustrates what being a supporter in Red Bull X-Alps really means. It's not just about offering words of encouragement from the sidelines. Whether it's flying back down to the bottom to collect crucial equipment and then speed-hiking back up again, or driving 300km with a sewing machine in the middle of the night – supporters will do whatever it takes.
"The worst part for him would be if he could not continue because of this," Mike adds, understanding exactly what was at stake for his friend.
Team effort
While the athletes get the headlines for their incredible feats of endurance across the Alps, stories like this remind us that Red Bull X-Alps is truly a team effort. Behind every athlete is a network of supporters, friends and specialists ready to go the extra mile – sometimes literally – to keep the dream alive.
Thanks to Mike's dedication and middle-of-the-night craftsmanship, Juraj was able to continue his journey across the Alps. In a race where every hour counts, this kind of friendship and support can make the difference between reaching the goal and going home early.
Get the latest race updates directly via 3D Live Tracking here.
