Journal

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Honza Rejmánek uses BD trekking poles and helmet to finish third at RedBull X-Alps paragliding race

xalpsThirty participants from 23 different nations began the RedBull X-Alps race on July 19, 2009, including Honza Rejmánek, who Black Diamond supported with essential mountain gear. Negotiating seven mountain turnpoints in Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France before landing on the float in Monaco, the event is for experienced paragliders and hardened endurance athletes. Usual tactics involve hiking to high mountain take off positions and using thermals to stay aloft and paraglide long distances. Measured over a straight line, the route is 818km but throw in difficult alpine passes, glaciers and inclement weather systems and the actual distance covered by the athletes is closer to 1379km.

When unable to fly, athletes must carry their entire kit, which weighs up to 12kg. No motorized transport is allowed but they can have one supporter each to provide food, supplies and navigational advice. Black Diamond kitted out third-place finisher Rejmánek with a host of BD gear, including a Tracer helmet and Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles (with proto ultralight grips), which was a crucial item for grinding out the rugged miles between take-off spots. Below are some photos of Rejmánek and the stunning terrain he navigated over during his 11 days of racing in the Alps.

Click here to download Rejmánek's account of the grind which was published in the latest issue of the USHPA's Hang Gliding and Paragliding magazine.

 

 

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