The eleventh edition of the race starts on 11 June 2023. Salewa has supported the worlds’ toughest adventure race as main sponsor since 2015: Red Bull X-Alps. For two weeks, over 30 plus world class athletes will cover more than 1,200 kilometres across the Alps by running, hiking and flying. Once again this year, Christian Maurer, the Salewa-sponsored athlete is in the starting line-up. The Swiss athlete, known as ‘Chrigel the Eagle’ is often described as ‘impossible to beat’ as he has won the event seven times in a row. The other athletes in the Salewa Team are: Markus Anders, Thomas Friedrich, Simon Oberrauner, Aaron Durogati and Paul Guschlbauer.
Red Bull X-Alps is held every other year. In 2023, Salewa is also presenting the ‘Salewa Trophy’ as a special prize for the athletes of the Red Bull X-Alps. The ‘Salewa Trophy’ is intended to highlight the spirit of comradeship during the race. It’s awarded to the athlete that demonstrates outstanding fair play and comradeship towards their fellow competitors over the course of the competition. This might include stopping to help another athlete during the race, sharing or donating items of equipment, or acting in an altruistic manner in some way or other. “Supporting each other and comradeship are fundamental qualities for remaining successful in the mountains. This is why we have chosen to award a special prize in recognition of an outstanding gesture of solidarity amongst the athletes,” says Salewa. The award will be decided by an expert panel including a member of this year’s race organization team and two Salewa representatives. As such, the ‘Salewa Trophy’ will be awarded at the end of the race as part of the final prize ceremony. In 2021, US athlete Gavin McClurg received the award for his long-standing commitment within the hike & fly community.