Monaco welcomes exhausted athletes after hiking and flying from Salzburg
For Immediate Release
July 15, 2015
Monaco is notorious as a haunt for the rich, famous and glamorous. Over the last two days, it’s been receiving an invasion of a different type of guest as a record number of athletes look set to complete the Red Bull X-Alps. Sleep-deprived, exhausted but elated, they have been arriving in clusters to Peille, before flying down into the Mediterranean sea to end the world’s toughest adventure race.
On average only 12% of athletes manage to complete the full race course from Salzburg to Monaco. The 2013 edition was a record year, seeing 10 teams arrive. But in a sign of the professionalism and strength of this year’s entry list, up to 20 athletes are expected to reach the magical finish line by the time the race ends at midday on Friday. The increase in performance is largely down to better preparation, training and equipment.
The latest to arrive today were the ‘Flying Dutchman’ Ferdinand van Schelven (NED) who looked exhausted after arriving in 7th place. “I’m very happy,” he said. He had been walking since 19:00 the evening before and been up for nearly 30 hours to make the official finish line of Peille. So tired was he that he fell asleep during the overnight march.
Also to make goal today was Gavin McClurg (USA2), a National Geographic adventurer of the year. Boat captain, expedition leader, climber and former ski-racer, McClurg spent a decade sailing around the world before turning to paragliding. For the last two years his dream has been to take part in the Red Bull X-Alps – and he celebrated in some style after making it home in 8th place.
“The race was amazing on every level, overwhelming at times but I feel great, it's just fantastic to be here,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the back, the race is on to avoid elimination between Dawn Westrum (USA3) and Gerald Gold (AUT2). The last-ranked athlete is automatically eliminated at 06:00 on Thursday and Gold’s team were determined it would not be them. “We will fight to the end,” said supporter Othmar Heinisch. Westrum, who has captured the hearts of fans and supporters alike with her dogged determination wasn’t giving up without a fight either: “My legs are feeling tired now but I’m still ahead of Gold,” she reported on her blog early morning. “It all comes down to the flying.” By late afternoon she was doing a pretty good job of that as she approached the Matterhorn Turnpoint. But with a Led Lenser Night Pass in his back pocket, which allows him to hike through the night, Gold holds the advantage.
With less than 48 hours until the end of the 2015 Red Bull X-Alps, the pressure is still on for the last athletes to make Monaco.
Gaspard Petiot (FRA4) lands on the float in Monaco. ©zooom/Sebastian Marko
