Red Bull X-Alps: Two More Athletes Announced

Published by Mountainblog on 01/15/2015.

There’s a new year surprise for fans and followers of the Red Bull X-Alps – two additional athletes will join the lineup at the start of the seventh race next July – Peter von Bergen from Switzerland and Dave Turner from the USA. The two athletes join 31 other previously announced competitors from 18 countries to take on the world’s toughest adventure race. The reason? They are just too good to ignore…

Says race director Christoph Weber: “These are two athletes who are so exceptional they should not be omitted. They will bring more excitement to the race and will make it more interesting to follow for sure! This is the reason we are announcing two wildcard entries.”

Head over to redbullxalps.com to watch Weber’s video announcement from the top of Salzburg’s Gaisberg mountain, traditionally the first turnpoint of the race.

WILDCARD ANNOUNEMENT: WATCH THE VIDEO
“These are two athletes who are so exceptional they should not be omitted.” Christoph Weber, race director.

“Dave Turner is a very experienced adventurer who is used to this style of hike and fly. He’s made a lot of ‘vol biv’ flights, crossing the Alps from East to West and West to East, as well as the Sierras. He’s very strong and for sure will make the race more interesting.”
“Peter von Bergen is an outstanding and very promising athlete who will put fear into the other competitors. He is always finding fantastic new ways of flying through the mountains and is certainly someone to watch. Together, they bring more excitement to the race and will make it more interesting to follow”, adds Weber. Both athletes are ecstatic to have been selected.

Dave Turner: “It is quite amazing actually to be given the chance to compete. I have always known about the race, and have even followed along online as the last two races unfolded. The adventure factor, racing across the Alps with 30 of the world’s top pilots is really appealing.” Check out his profile

Peter von Bergen: “I’m so happy – it’s amazing. For me the Red Bull X-Alps is the unofficial World Championship. I don’t dare say how fast I will be but everyone can have a bad day and I can take my chances. I can’t wait to be on the startline and to be a part of this great race.” Check out his profile

The lineup is particularly impressive this year with two female athletes for the first time in a decade, many new faces eager for the challenge of their lives, as well as seasoned veterans with much experience. How well an athlete does depends on many factors. But one thing is a given – the three time reigning champion Christian Maurer will have to fight even harder to maintain his crown in 2015.
There are six months until the start gun fires but for the athletes, it has gone off already. The difference between success and failure, winning and losing comes down to what they do between now and then. To follow their progress and check out all the athlete profiles, head over to www.redbullxalps.com.
For further updates and stories, check out the Red Bull X-Alps on Facebook and Twitter.