Ace of the big Alps race leaves ‘para-trekker’ rivals far behind

AUSTRIA: A 34-year-old Swiss man known as ‘‘the Eagle’’ yesterday strengthened his lead in one of the world’s most gruelling races: an all-out dash by para-glider and on foot across the Alps, from Salzburg to Monaco.

Christian Maurer touched down in Austria after covering 890 kilometres since Sunday in the Red Bull X-Alps, a course of 1125km through the mountains that the organisers call ‘‘the world’s toughest adventure race’’.

In four days, he hiked 185km and flew for 705km, spending 17 hours in the air, flying as high as 3660 metres.

The rules are simple: from 5am to 10.30pm every day, the 29 contestants from seven countries must clamber up mountains to launch themselves under their fabric wings, then ride ascending currents to soar as far as possible.

After landing, they trek uphill, carrying their gliders for a new take-off – or, if flight is not feasible, along valleys and ridges towards the next geographic ‘‘turning point’’.

No motorised transport is permitted.

Each ‘‘para-trekker’’ is helped logistically by an assistant on the ground. The first man to reach Monaco wins.

The physique of an extreme endurance athlete is required, along with the aeronautical skill to plot flight to take advantage of the constantly changing weather.

Maurer is the ace of the race that has been held in alternate years since 2003.

He has won four times and set the record, reaching Monaco in 2013 in six days, 23 hours and 40 minutes.

Two contestants have retired so far with injuries or exhaustion.

Two Frenchmen, Gaspart Petiot and Nelson de Freyman are vying for second and third places. Other contestants are from the United States, New Zealand and South Africa. – The Times