South Tyrolean triumphs: Aaron Durogati wins X-Alps

After the first athletes covered over 1.000 kilometers around the Alps on foot and by paraglider in seven days, the final stage to Zell am See became a dramatic sprint to the finish, with four athletes battling for a place on the podium.

Never before in the race's 22-year history has the battle for victory been so close. Among those competing were eight-time winner Chrigel Maurer (SUI1), two-time Paragliding World Cup winner Aaron Durogati from South Tyrol (ITA1), 2021 third-place finisher Simon Oberrauner (AUT1), and 30-year-old Swiss rookie and former Maurer supporter Lars Meerstetter (SUI4). A jubilant Aaron Durogati: The South Tyrolean has won the X-Alps.

After the athletes were forced to cover approximately 70 kilometers on foot the previous day due to thunderstorms over the Alps, today's day began for many in the early hours. At 04:00 a.m., some set off to secure an optimal starting position for the first flight of the day—a crucial factor in the further course of the race.

Durogati sets himself apart with his own line Aaron Durogati, Tobias Oberrauner, and reigning champion Chrigel Maurer chose the Fuorcla Stragliavita – a pass at an altitude of 2.700 meters near the Swiss village of Scuol in the Inn Valley. Durogati, Oberrauner, and Maurer started together. Meerstetter, in typical fashion, chose an alternative starting point, preferring to go his own way throughout the race. Aaron Durogati shortly before his flight on Sunday morning.

Durogati chose his own line: After reaching the next turnpoint, the Zugspitze, he decided to fly along the mountain ridge, while the other three headed south. Traditionally, paragliders are faster when they stay together. The group of three had this advantage and were faster—but Durogati's line was more direct.

Durogati was the first on the floating raft Durogati didn't have much choice either, as the Merano native had already used up his Night Pass – unlike the other three competitors. To win, Durogati had to go all out and try to reach the finish line (a floating raft in Lake Zell) before nightfall.

And indeed, the South Tyrolean was first in Zell am See on Sunday evening, thus claiming victory in the X-Alps. About an hour later, Meerstetter crossed the finish line, followed by Oberrauner.

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South Tyrolean triumphs: Aaron Durogati wins X-Alps

A South Tyrolean won the latest edition of the Red Bull X-Alps extreme race. After a thrilling Sunday, Aaron Durogati was crowned the winner late in the evening.

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