It’s a slog through rain down south while the chasing pack converge on Mont Blanc
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Pilot cams from the race. Now we know why Toma’s tracklog makes him look like he’s on a skateboard – he sprints (0:34)! Plus, check out Chrigel’s harness at 2:32 and Honza’s blowout at 2:51.
Everybody’s a little bit tired. And no wonder – 10 days in and the end is in sight. Chrigel is zzz at 67km, Toma is on the trek up/flying the Brevent in Chamonix, and Paul Guschlbauer (AUT4) has been on the most audacious trek across some of the grandest mountain terrain in Europe.
Paul went south around the Matterhorn yesterday, and then flew for three hours through Italy along the southern faces of the Alps. When he landed and was walking last night it was a case of ‘Well what now?’ from a spectator’s point of view.
He was the wrong side of Mont Blanc (pilots have to go round the north side). Anyone who has been there knows that’s a spectacular place to be, but also very difficult to cross without full mountaineering kit. He was however in second place.
‘Day 10 in the Red Bull X-Alps…’ Urgency grips the super-athletes as the race draws down to a finish
This morning we got our answer. He went over the Fenetre de Ferret and went back north to double-back on himself around the main glaciated Mont Blanc massif. This is what is so good about this race – the route finding through the mountains as well as the route-finding through the air.
Behind the front three Martin Muller is still pushing. Will he catch Paul and Toma?
Behind him pilots have been up and flying and are jockeying for a top 10 slot. There is still a lot to play for.
Chrigel Maurer ready to launch at Pointe des Chaudannes, Les Karellis, France on 26 July. Photo: Red Bull X-Alps 2011
Down south, with Chrigel, it’s raining. It’s Chrigel’s birthday today – a long slog in the rain is ahead of him. It’s sure to be memorable either way.
It looks like it will be a less dramatic end to the race than in 2009, when Chrigel flew right to the coast. But that’s a prediction, and in this game, nothing is predictable.
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