Tom Payne has competed in the Red Bull X-Alps as an athlete and a supporter. He has also been a technical advisor to many teams in previous editions. He reports from the centre of Salzburg at the start of the Red Bull X-Alps 2017…
It’s raining continuously. Thick clouds envelop the mountains. Normal pilots would not even consider leaving the house on such a day. For the 31 teams in the Red Bull X-Alps, they’re not just leaving the house, they’re hoisting 8kg bags for what is going to be 1,138km of gruelling adventure.
The new route – the full length of the European Alps – is challenging enough on its own, breaking bold new ground with a turnpoint on the slopes of Slovenia’s iconic summit, Triglav. For the first time in the race’s 14-year history, it looks like the weather will not allow the athletes to fly from the first turnpoint, the Gaisberg.
The rain at the start makes the race even harder physically, logistically, and mentally.
This is no one-day sprint. It is critical that the athletes manage their effort over the twelve days. Push too hard at the start and they will suffer for the rest of the race, and yet this is exactly what they must do. The good weather awaits them on Monday, better towards the south, a strong incentive to hike hard through the rain today. Anyone who lingers risks missing the weather and catching the first elimination axe as it falls in three days time.
Wet feet means soft skin and blisters. Humid air means nothing dries out without effort. The support crews will be pushed too keep their athletes healthy.
Mentally, the finish at Peille 1,138km away is going to feel very far away when you’re confined to the ground and “only” covering 60-80km per physically punishing day.
With the strongest field so far, the boldest route, and the worst start weather, the 2017 Red Bull X-Alps is already looking to be the toughest and most open X-Alps yet.
Follow the live tracking at www.redbullxalps.com
