So far in this year’s race, French rookie athlete Maxime Pinot (FRA4) has been battling to keep up with the five-time champion Chrigel Maurer (SUI1). They took off together yesterday and crossed the main ridge of the Alps to reach Turnpoint 4, the Italian mountain station of Kronplatz.
Maurer arrived first, swooping in to claim the Salewa Trophy, which was presented to him at the signboard.
“We took off a bit late,” he said. “But it was a two hour flight in very good conditions.” He then unfurled his wing and promptly took off again, destination Turnpoint 5, Lermoos Tiroler Zugspitz Arena.
Coming in 15 minutes later, Pinot was not pleased to have lost ground to Maurer.
“I didn’t fly so well so I’m not so happy,” he said. “It will be better this afternoon. Lermoos is possible if there is no thunderstorm.”
Both of them now face tricky conditions to avoid the no-flying zone around Innsbruck airport.
“The Inn valley is a crucial point,” said race director Christoph Weber. “You have to fly quite low, underneath the maximum altitude and that is quite tricky. Of course, Pinot can still catch him, but Chrigel would need to make a mistake, otherwise it will not be possible.”
Maurer (SUI1) is going to reach Turnpoint 5 in Lermoos – Tiroler Zugspitz Arena shortly ahead of Pinot (FRA4).
In the mid-pack a race was on between Paul Guschlbauer (AUT1) Simon Oberrauner (AUT2), Patrick von Känel (SUI2), Benoit Outters (FRA1), Antoine Girard (FRA3) and Tom de Dorlodot (BEL) who were all within a few kilometers of each other on the way up to Turnpoint 5. Alongside but on the other side of the valley were Aaron Durogati (ITA) and Manuel Nübel (GER1). It’s possible the pack can work together to reel in Maurer.
At the back of the field, the battle is on between Dominika Kasieczko (POL) and Rodolphe Akl (LBN). The last placed athlete is eliminated first thing Wednesday morning.
Featured Image © Felix Woelk/Red Bull Content Pool