Starting on July 7th, 2013 thirty-two athletes set off on an ultimate adventure outfitted in brand new
Suunto Ambit 2s!
This will mark the sixth year of the Red Bull X-Alps,
arguably the world’s toughest adventure race thanks to a 1031-kilometer route
that spans from Salzburg, Austria, to Monaco along what many deem to be “some
of the most challenging and inhospitable terrain in the Alps.”
Teams, which consist of one competitor and no more than two
support-crew members, must navigate the distance by foot and/or paraglide. And often, participants end up covering more
than double the course distance.
This year, 32 athletes from 21 countries will head to the
start in Salzburg and attempt to complete a course that includes a south to east
traverse of the Dachstein massif, Innsbruck airspace and the highest mountain
in Germany, Zugspitze, among other extreme challenges.
Good news for navigation: Everyone toeing the starting line
will receive the brand new Suunto Ambit 2,
the perfect companion for such a demanding mountain event. The Ambit 2 features an integrated GPS with
heart rate monitoring functionality, advanced weather functions and multisport
tracking among other, more customizable features.
Honza Rejmanek
and Stephen Haase make up the two
U.S. teams at the event. Rejmanek, 37, is an Atmospheric Scientist and
experienced adventure racer who has finished in the top ten for the last three
consecutive years. Hasse, on the other hand, while familiar with “sufferfests”
is new to the Red Bull X-Alps. The 40-year-old comes to the race from a
background in rock climbing and professional firefighting. Like all other
athletes competing, you can track their live progress here, starting July 7.