Chrigel Maurer and Thomas Theurillat close to Monaco on the evening of Saturday 13 July. Photo: Red Bull X-Alps / SUI1
Organisers of the Red Bull X-Alps have announced that the 2015 race will be “double the length” as they plan to send athletes back to where they came from after they have reached the raft in Monaco.
Announcing the news in a Suunto-sponsored Tweet organiser Hannes March said: “The 2013 race was too easy. Chrigel Maurer covered the 1,000km route in only seven days. We want the athletes to do more.”
March said the race organising committee had suggested including an extra four turnpoints but decided in the end simply to get the athletes to turn around and start flying back to Salzburg. “It was simpler and more beautiful,” March said.
March denied reports that the race committee had considered a ‘Hunger Games’ style start to the competition, whereby each competitor would have to ‘fight’ for one of a limited number of lightweight paragliders piled high in the centre of Salzburg.
“This would be good for the televised race start,” March agreed, “but the idea needs more work.” However, he declined to rule out a ‘Fight Start’ for the 2017 race.
Red Bull X-Alps 2015
The move now means that the race will be 2,000km long – a record length for the alpine hike-and-fly competition.
In other changes to the world’s most exciting paragliding race, March said Maurer would have a “handicap” applied to stop him going too quickly.
“We will apply a speed limiter to his glider so he can not glide faster than 30km/h,” March said. “That way the other pilots will have a chance to catch up.”
Speaking from a telephone box in the alpine paragliding mecca of Interlaken Maurer said he was “happy” with how things would be in 2015. “I am the best. No one can touch me. I don’t mind if I have to go slowly. Let the games begin, I will run them down.”
Maurer has won three Red Bull X-Alps races, putting him in the top 0.1% of all-time best paraglider pilots in the world. A former bricklayer he is known for his strong foundations, straight lines and perfect finishes.
“I am happy and fine with the rules,” the Swiss paraglider said, clicking his neck. “I am always happy and fine.”
He added: “My feet hurt. Thomas, where is the talc?”
The Red Bull X-Alps 2015 kicks off in July next year.
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