Chrigel Maurer launches from Goldeck on Day Two of the Red Bull X-Alps 2017. Photo: Harald Tauderer
Chrigel Maurer has done it again, pulling ahead of the pack and setting a blistering pace during his fifth Red Bull X-Alps. Editor Ed Ewing talked to him after the Chrigel had landed on Day Two
“The flying was amazing,” Chrigel Maurer said after he had landed today. Following a quick meal he was on the road again, but had time to talk through his day.
He had started two-and-a-half hours behind the first athletes and was back in 22nd place. By 9pm he was in first place, 37km ahead of Toma Coconea and round Turnpoint 2 heading back north.
“I had one flight this morning,” he said, “which was short but very efficient.”
“From there I reached the main ridge of the Alps. There was a heavy north wind, it was difficult to launch, and was kind of foehn conditions.
“In the air it was working well, but in Goldeck I made a mistake and switched sides into the lee. That meant I had to land and walk up again.
Chrigel approaching Turnpoint 2. Photo: Sebastian Marko
“From there it was amazing flying. Approaching Turnpoint 2 clouds formed below me, like fog, and out to the west big clouds blocked out the sun.
“The west side of the mountain wasn’t working, so then I switched to the east side and found I was able to soar.
“That was amazing, but it was very hard work. I managed to cross over the ridge line with just 20m to get to the turnpoint.”
From there, he looked out to see “no landings” at all. “I thought maybe I would have to land down at the bottom and hike back up in the morning. But I kept working and managed to get just enough height to get back over to the north side after fighting for 20 minutes.”
After Turnpoint 2 the route of the Red Bull X-Alps goes back north, to Aschau-Chiemsee in Germany, a leg-distance of 179km.
“Pushing back north the wind was strange. Sometimes it was 10km/h, sometimes 30-35km/h.”
He landed near the small village of Obervellach, where he was met by his supporters and ate a quick dinner.
Back on the road he said he would now walk “a little”. “In the morning I will walk up to a launch. I hope to get to Greifenburg and launch around noon.” Greifenburg is a world famous paragliding site.
He added: “My legs are painful. It’s not dangerous, but they are sore after all the walking on the road. That’s the worst. I was very happy to fly today – it was painful to push the speedbar.”
Chrigel added, “the weather looks good for tomorrow.” And then he pushed on along the road, heading north, still with 948 straight-line kilometres to go.
