With a record number of applicants from 28 different countries, the selection committee for the Red Bull X-Alps 2007 had no easy task assessing who would be on the third edition of the hardest paragliding race in the world, starting on July 23rd in Krippenstein (Dachstein range), Austria. Finally, 24 teams from 19 countries have been chosen to race for 850 km and 20 days across the Alps, choosing their best routes to hike or fly according to weather conditions and through 5 turnpoints located in Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France. The goal line will be again at the beach in Monaco.

The athletes have been chosen for their flying abilities, fitness and high-mountain knowledge. Among them, we find the 1st and 2nd ranked pilots of the last X-Alps, Alex Hofer (CH) and Urs Lötscher (CH), and competitors from previous editions like Toma Coconea (RO), Aiden Toase (UK) or Michael Gebert (DE).

During the race they will not be allowed to use any motorized transport, only their gliders and legs, and must carry their gears all the time. Team supporters must provide information, food and supplies, and help the athletes bear the pressure!

The race can be followed online through the revamped www.redbullxalps.com website, with a Live Tracking feature showing each athlete’s real-time GPS position on a map, news reports and even daily short videos.

The teams and their nations are as follows:

Christian Reinegger (Austria)
Andreas Frötscher (Italy)
Pascale Leone (Italy)
Alex Hofer (Switzerland)
Urs Lötscher (Switzerland)
Martin Müller (Switzerland)
Vincent Sprüngli (France)
Holger Herfuth (Germany)
Michael Gebert (Germany)
Nate Scales (USA)
Josh Briggs (Canada)
Raul Penso (Venezuela)
Dmitry Gusev (Russia)
Aiden Toase (UK)
Lloyd Pennicuik (Australia)
Dimitris Bourazanis (Greece)
Jan Skrabálek (Czech Republic)
Krzysztof Ziolkowski (Poland)
Ramon Morillas (Spain)
Thomas de Dordolot (Belgium)
Toma Coconea (Romania)
Peter Vrabec (Slovakia)
Simon Copi (Slovenia)