Red Bull X-Alps takes its toll … on mind and body. Che Golus (AUS), Aaron Durogati (ITA1), Antoine Girard (FRA1) and Stephan Gruber (AUT2) all had to retire because of injury. Likewise, Gaspard Petiot (FRA2) was in 2nd, chasing Christian Maurer (SUI1) down, when an accident cut his amazing journey short.

Even Chrigel himself is starting to feel the pace and his right knee is now causing him trouble. 'My right knee is painful,' he told us. 'It is okay uphill, but after two hours it is very painful on the flat. Because of this, I will be doing as much hike and fly as possible. But the biggest problem is that I can't use full speed bar because I can only push it with my left leg. This is very strange for me.' 

Further back, Krischa Berlinger (SUI2) is also struggling with wear and tear. Krischa’s ankle is so bad he can only descend backwards.

‘I will be using crutches from now on,' Krischa told us. 'I'm just waiting for my supporter to bring them back. If it gets worse, I'll need a wheelchair, but I don't think we can use anything with wheels. It's against the rules.’

Photos: ©zooom / Harald Tauderer ©zooom / Honza Zak ©zooom / Vitek Ludvik