Aaron Durogati: “Maurer is the Marcel Hirscher of the X-Alps”

SportNews met Aaron Durogati for an interview on Monday on the sidelines of an event organized by his supplier Salewa in Bolzano South.

The X-Alps 2019 has been over for a week, looking back, how was the race? Aaron Durogati: “For me it was the most beautiful X-Alps I have ever experienced. I have had problems with my knee joints for 2 years. In the summer of 2018 I had surgery on the meniscus, among other things, and have been in rehab for the last 18 months. Because I can no longer walk on asphalt roads, I had to try to cover the long distances with a paraglider and I succeeded, I had many good flights and ran the least of all 10 finishers (approx. 200 km, ed. Red.). Two years ago a doctor told me that I could no longer do competitive sports!”

It was an interesting race, at one point you were in third place.

"That's correct. On the last day I flew a different line, I wanted to take a risk and it didn't work. That's okay. I used to really want to win the X-Alps, but I no longer put that pressure on myself. I've spent the night on the mountain several times, at over 2000 meters - it's just beautiful. The X-Alps is now more of an adventure for me. And the feeling at the finish in Monte Carlo is simply gigantic.”

The X-Alps 2019 was considered the most difficult edition to date.

“The X-Alps is always difficult. Luckily, the snow on the mountains has melted in the last few weeks. When I visited some sections of Switzerland in May, there was a good 1800 meters of snow at 2 meters. During the race the snow line was around 2200 meters. A big difference this time were the many turnpoints. If you have to fly to 13 checkpoints, there are hardly any options when choosing a route. There were only 1 turnpoints on my first

The Swiss Christian “Chrigel” Maurer celebrated his 6th victory. Sensational, right?

“He is simply incredibly good, he is the Marcel Hirscher of the X-Alps. He always finds something that makes us look old. Until Davos, for example, he had a two-hour lead over us pursuers. Maurer then flew from Davos to the Titlis checkpoint in 2 hours. In the meantime a thunderstorm came up, we couldn't start from Davos and had to walk for 3 days to Titlis. That's what you call the luck of the hardy, he's just really good. Nevertheless, the fact that Maurer will also win the X-Alps in two years is far from certain!”

Aaron Durogati landing off the coast of Monte Carlo

Aaron Durogati is a two-time paragliding world champion (2013 and 2017). His best result at the X-Alps was 6th place in 2016. His next competitions are the Dolomitenmann in Lienz (defending champion in paragliding) and the Red Bull Elements. The Merano native was looked after at the X-Alps by Elisabeth Egger (strategy), Kurt Berger (doctor), Tazio Iscor (physio), and Daniele Molineris (photo).

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Aaron Durogati: “Maurer is the Marcel Hirscher of the X-Alps”

Last week in the Principality of Monaco on the Cote d'Azur, the X-Alps 2019 came to an end with the 6th triumph of record winner Christian “Chrigel” Maurer. The best South Tyrolean was Aaron Durogati in 9th place. The Merano native is now back in his homeland.

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