Chrigel and Toma battle it out up front – turnpoint 5 is within reach
Day 5 on the Red Bull X-Alps 2011. Hugh Miller reports
Wake up in the dark, scramble for alarm clock, reach for mobile phone. A dim light fills the room as we get ready for another long day ahead. Flip up the lid of laptop and there they still are, blinking at us from Google Maps. Once 30, now there are only 24.
This morning at 7am the backmarker, Portugal’s Nuno Virgilio was cut. Meanwhile, 160km in front of him was Chrigel Maurer. His icon was the first to ping to ‘Flying’ early this morning. He flew down from his mountain overnight in first light, and took off again at just after 9am local time this morning. As I type he is slowly thermalling up the north-east slopes of the Sobretto Group in Italy. A big day ahead. [Edit: at 10.15am he was screaming up and at 3,300m – just go and look!]
Chrigel on glide for the Swiss border at 3,300m at 10.20am, 21 July 2011
Michael Gerbert (GER) takes off at the foot of the Tre Cime during the Red Bull X-Alps, Italy on 21 July 2011. Photo: Red Bull X-Alps
Yesterday saw some big flights. At one point, all top ten were in the air and 14 out of the top 20 were flying. The day ended with overdevelopment and storms, but this morning the air is clear with a great forecast. All athletes should enjoy some brilliant flying.
Toma packing after landing in heavy rain near Passo di Padale after flying from Brixen, Italy on 21 July 2011. Photo: Red Bull X-Alps
Chrigel is ahead – at least 30km ahead of Toma Coconea (ROM). Behind him is Ferdinand van Schelven (NED), just 18km away. He flew almost 90km yesterday. Germany’s Michael Gebert is fourth after a brilliant flight yesterday that put him up with the leaders. He and Tom de Dorlodot (BEL) seem to have formed a strong bond – they flew together yesterday and this morning are hiking up to launch together too.
Looking ahead, Chrigel should easily make Switzerland before lunch if he stays in the air, and could well make the fifth turnpoint. [Edit at 10.45am: We’re going to stop making predictions, it’s just embarrassing! Chrigel is 6km away from it and it’s not even time for coffee here in the office…]
Overdevelopment is again forecast for later in the day, so athletes need to get in the air and fly early.
Now, back to the Live Tracking…
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