They’re the new faces in the lineup and include acro champions, record breakers, female athletes and the youngest ever competitor. Here’s the lowdown. 

THOMAS FRIEDRICH (AUT3)

The youngest competitor in the lineup, Tom will be 20 when the start gun fires but he’s a Red Bull X-Alps veteran, having supported Simon Oberrauner in both 2019 and 2017. Before that he was a huge fan and has dreamed of doing the race for as long as he can remember. Has he got the experience? He’s been flying since the age of 11 and over the past few years has clocked some impressive results, including a joint third place at the 2020 Eigertour with Hanes Kämpf (SUI3). 

ANTONIO FILHO (BRA) 

The first Brazilian athlete to compete since Richard Pethigal in 2011, Antonio Filho is a military police officer and cross-country instructor who’s flown a 405km straight line and placed 5th in the Brazil championships. But with limited mountain experience he could find hiking and flying in the Alps a challenge.

THÉO DE BLIC (FRA3)

Théo’s acro antics are well known to his legion of social media fans. A three time Acro World Champion, he’s been flying since he was 12 and professional since 16. But when it comes to cross-country flying and endurance on the ground he is not so experienced, at least on paper. If you look at how he describes his training regime, it's one of the most professional and toughest ones of them all. In any way, it will be interesting to see how he adapts.