Four times champions … On the raft in 2015. Photo: Harald Tauderer/Red Bull Content Pool
Chrigel Maurer and Thomas Theurillat, the most successful partnership in Red Bull X-Alps racing history, have called it a day.
The pair announced they would not be taking part in the next edition of the X-Alps together on their Team SUI1 Facebook page.
Writing in German Chrigel said:
What next?
After seven successful years, many hike-and-flys, and four successful X-Alps races we have [come to the end of] our cooperation.
Team SUI1 is history, and we are excited both about the adventures experienced in recent years, and about the exciting projects in the future.
Chrigel will continue to focus on paragliding, Thomas focuses on his work as a coach for business and sports.
We would like to thank you with all our heart for the great interest in our adventure.
Chrigel and Thomas.
The pair revolutionised the approach athletes took to the Red Bull X-Alps when they first entered eight years ago.
Chrigel was an expert competition pilot but at the time many doubted his ability and fitness for adventure racing on the scale of the X-Alps, which sees pilots race 1,000km through the European Alps by foot and paraglider.
Thomas was a sports psychologist and a mountain guide. When the pair met they forged a unique friendship which took them to the top of the Red Bull X-Alps podium four times.
Thomas’s professional approach – he was the first to introduce checklists and a systematic approach for example, which every team now uses – helped Chrigel focus on what he was best at: the flying.
Together they formed an unbeatable team. Now, they’ve decided to quit while they are ahead.
The Team SUI1 Facebook page has been renamed ‘X-Alps Team Chrigel Maurer’.
We hope to speak to both pilots in the near future, but in the meantime, here are some highlights from their incredible run.
Chrigel Maurer wins in 2009
Winner’s interview, 2011
Chrigel and Thomas on the raft, 2011
Chrigel at the final turnpoint, 2013
Red Bull X-Alps 2015
Spiralling in…
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