Record numbers look set to complete Red Bull X-Alps adventure race

Monaco is currently welcoming a record number of exhausted athletes after hiking and flying from Salzburg  in the Red Bull X-Alps 2015.
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Gavin Mcclurg (USA2) performs during the Red Bull X-Alps in Peille, France (turn point 10) on 15th July 2015
Kelvin Trautman / Red Bull Content Pool
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 yesterday 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 yesterday 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.  
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.


RED BULL X-ALPS 2015
15/07/2015 - Christian Mauer wins Red Bull X-Alps 2015
13/07/2015 - Red Bull X-Alps 2015, day 8: Maurer still in the lead, the battle continues
09/07/2015 - Red Bull X-Alps 2015 day 4 round-up: Christian Maurer in the lead
07/07/2015 - Red Bull X-Alps 2015, incredible action on days 1 and 2
06/07/2015 - Red Bull X-Alps 2015: the start!
24/06/2015 - Aaron Durogati full flight ahead to Red Bull X-Alps 2015
19/06/2015 - Aaron Durogati: the Road to Red Bull X-Alps 2015
11/06/2015 - Red Bull X-Alps 2015: 10 reasons to follow the competition live 
23/03/2015 - Aaron Durogati interview with the only Italian competitor
20/03/2015 - Red Bull X-Alps 2015 route revealed

ABOUT THE RED BULL X-ALPS
The 2015 Red Bull X-Alps is the seventh edition of the world's toughest adventure race in which athletes must hike or fly 1,038km across the Alps from Salzburg to Monaco in the fastest time possible. The race starts on July 5, 2015. It's an epic undertaking that can involve hiking up to 100km of mountain terrain in a day – or flying at altitudes in excess of 4,000m. The race demands not only a very high level of endurance fitness but expert paragliding experience. The 2013 edition was the fastest on record with 10 athletes reaching Monaco. It was won by Christian Maurer (SUI) in 6d 23hr 40m.
New in 2015 is the one-day Powertraveller Prologue on July 2 which was won by Paul Guschlbauer in 2h 21m. Stanislav Mayer (CZE) was 2nd in 2h 22m and Gavin McClurg (USA2) came 3rd in 2h 24m. Athletes started and finished in Fuschl am See, passing the Turnpoints of the Zwölferhorn and Schafberg peaks. The first three athletes each gained an additional Led Lenser Night Pass and a five-minute headstart on the main race start.

Note:
www
redbullxalps.com



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