Athletes Announced - Red Bull X-Alps 2009

Multi-national field chosen to compete in world's toughest hiking and paragliding adventure race.

After weeks of deliberations and cross checking, 30 athletes have thus far been chosen to compete in the 2009 Red Bull X-Alps.

Twenty-three different nations will be represented in the most international field yet assembled for the world's toughest hiking and paragliding adventure race. Click here to see the route on the map

Defending champion Alex Hofer (SUI) will return to attempt his third straight victory after wins in 2005 and 07, but will not have an easy time of it. He will be pushed all the way by 2007's runner-up Toma Coconea (ROM) and compatriots Martin Müller (SUI) and race newcomer Christian Maurer (SUI).

Austria's participants are this time Helmut Eichholzer (AUT) and Christian Amon (AUT), both of whom raced in the 2005 event. German Michael Gebert (GER) will try to make up for his disappointing 2007 campaign, while racing for Italy are Leone Antonio Pascale (ITA) and Andy Frötscher (ITA).

The British challenge is headed by Aidan Toase (GBR / in the image) who was sixth in 2007. He is joined by Welshman Tom Payne (GBR).

Honza Rejmanek (USA), was violently ill for the first few days in 2007, but rebounded in amazing style to finish within the top ten.

Other athletes keeping a close eye on are Pal Takats (HUN), a talented young acro and cross country pilot, and Thomas de Dorlodot (BEL), also with age on his side who was knocked out of the race after an accident in 2007.

For the first time in Red Bull X-Alps history, New Zealand and South Africa will be represented. Dave Watson (NZL) and Pierre Carter (RSA) take up the challenge.


The full list of participants is:

Lloyd Pennicuik (AUS)
Helmut Eichholzer (AUT)
Christian Amon (AUT)
Thomas de Dorlodot (BEL)
Max Fanderl (CAN)
Jan Skrabalek (CZE)
Jouni Makkonen (FIN)
Vincent Sprungli (FRA)
Julien Wirtz (FRA)
Julien Serré (FRA)
Michael Gebert (GER)
Aidan Toase (GBR)
Tom Payne (GBR)
Pal Takats (HUN)
Leone Antonio Pascale (ITA)
Andy Frötscher (ITA)
Kaoru Ogisawa (JPN)
Ronny Geijsen (NED)
Dave Watson (NZL)
Filip Jagla (POL)
Toma Coconea (ROM)
Evgeny Gryaznov (RUS)
Peter Vrabec (SVK)
Primoz Susa (SLO)
Pierre Carter (RSA)
Ramon Morillas (ESP)
Alex Hofer (SUI)
Martin Müller (SUI)
Christian Maurer (SUI)
Honza Reijmanek (USA)

Image of Aidan Toase: Vitek Ludvik/ Red Bull Photofiles

Red Bull X-Alps - Suunto
http://www.redbullxalps.com/

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Red Bull X-Alps - Suunto