Lukas Hofer (right) participated in the Red Bull X-Alps Challenger. © Red Bull X-Alps / Christian Lorenz / CHRISTIAN LORENZ

A detour into the skies: Lukas Hofer shines at the X-Alps Challenger

The qualifier for the world's toughest adventure race: Next-generation female athletes competed against the world's best for three days at the Red Bull X-Alps Challenger. Alongside veteran Tobias Großrubatscher, biathlete Lukas Hofer also took part.

31 May 2026

From: pm/sn

The very first Red Bull X-Alps Challenger came to a dramatic close on Saturday, May 30, 2026, after three days of epic racing in the mountains of Mayrhofen in the Zillertal valley. The two best rookies in the field – Aaron Mathis in the men's category and Romy Sweda in the women's – each received a wildcard for the Red Bull X-Alps after more than 4.000 meters of elevation gain in speed hiking and around 100 kilometers in the air over the three days.

Among the rookies was Lukas Hofer, a prominent name from biathlon. The 36-year-old from Montal, whose passion for trail running and paragliding is widely known, finished the first two days in first place, but ended up in 21st place overall.

Hofer, who had won the silver medal with the mixed relay team at the Olympic Games in Antholz, underlined that he is the king of the mountains: He won every single hiking stage.

Mathis overwhelmed: “I am speechless”

Sweda had to take a nerve-wracking detour during the race after narrowly missing one of the turnpoints. Realizing her mistake, she had to backtrack, losing valuable time. She said: “It was really tough at the end. After the first climb, I was hoping I wouldn’t have to run again, but that’s part of the game: you fly, you run. I’m really happy with the win.”

The wildcards are highly coveted. © Red Bull X-Alps / Christian Lorenz / Christian Lorenz

Mathis was also overwhelmed by his success. "I'm speechless," he said afterwards. "I don't even know what to say. It's unbelievable. The final day was difficult. There was a strong north wind and we had to climb quite high in the thermals to reach all the turn points. But it was something very special to compete together with athletes like Chrigel and Tobi."

Days full of adventure for Großrubatscher and Co.

Chrigel Maurer, eight-time Red Bull X-Alps champion, secured the overall victory. Multiple Red Bull X-Alps veteran Tobias Großrubatscher from Kastelruth finished second overall and was subsequently impressed by the rookies' performance: "Aaron flew really well. He and the others are very strong; they're all developing into really good athletes." Due to their previous participation, veterans were not eligible to qualify for the coveted wildcard for the main race.

Over three days, the athletes faced a demanding challenge that tested their mountain fitness and paragliding skills. Day 1 consisted of a 1.400-meter elevation gain mountain run. On day 2, the athletes completed three laps of a hike-and-fly course, each with 440 meters of elevation gain.

On the final day, the remaining field of 42 athletes tackled an 82-kilometer cross-country flying challenge – after another 1.400-meter climb, as on day 1.