James Elliott (CAN) was this evening on the point of becoming the first Canadian to complete the world’s toughest adventure race, the Red Bull X-Alps. He was expected to arrive on the top of the final Turnpoint Schmittenhöhe, at 17.30 from where it is just a short glide to the finishing float in lake Zell.
The 40-year-old adventurer and former serviceman spent the day hiking across the main chain of the Alps to get into goal before the clock stops on the race on Friday, 11:30. Strong winds prevented him flying but he did manage to glide some of the distance from the lower slopes of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain.
On his way up to Schmittenhöhe he talked about the highs and lows of the race: “I experienced amazing glides and moments which I will remember for my whole lifetime. I would have never made it without my team. It has been a crazy race. I’ve had my expectations and they have been blown away, physically and mentally.”
In reaching Zell am See, he becomes the 22nd athlete to make goal in this record-breaking year of the race, which takes place – on a different route – every two years.
Race director Ferdinand Vogel said: “I would like to congratulate James on his incredible achievement. It’s important to remember that athletes who come from North America do not have the same advantage as local athletes from the Alpine countries. They are hiking and flying these mountains for the first time so to complete the course is an impressive feat.”
Just two athletes remain on the course-line, Emoto Yuji, a 46-year-old Japanese mountain guide and Jordi Vilalta, 39, Spain’s top hike-and-fly athlete.
They have until 11.30 on Friday, June 23, to make it before the clock stops. By early evening, Yuji was in striking distance and looked set to get to the finishing float. If he can make it, he’ll become the second Japanese athlete to finish the grueling race after Kaori Ogisawa made Monaco in 2007. The odds on Vilalta are slimmer but he was doing his best to try and finish.
This morning, Australian athlete Rich Binstead was eliminated. He said he was disappointed but had an incredible experience. “It’s been the best thing I’ve done in my life – and one of the hardest – but I’m keen to do it again. I’m already thinking how I can be stronger and a better pilot.” The Australian’s race nearly ended on day two when he suffered a massive allergic reaction, requiring the intervention of the race doctor. “I came out in hives, and it got worse and worse, my tongue and lips started swelling, my blood pressure dropped. I was totally out of it. If I was by myself in the wilderness it would have been serious.”
Who’s going to make it to goal? Follow Live Tracking on redbullxalps.com to see if all athletes can make it.
Austria
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