Red Bull Photofiles
Genius & Madness
The traditional 4-by-4 ordeal of the world's most grueling team competition will begin for the 21st time on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at Lienz in the Dolomite Alps, when 110 teams will fight their way up 1,950 meters to reach the summit, then glide fast as the wind through the air, leap into the river and paddle through white water where every second counts, and finally pedal their bikes like mad. This battle royal pits the best and most daring alpine runners, paragliders, kayakers and mountain bikers against one another. This year's contest for the inestimably valuable title of
As in previous years, the stretch in 2008 likewise demands the utmost from the very beginning. After crossing the starting line at the main square in Lienz, the contestants will run eleven kilometers along one of the world's toughest alpine stretches. They'll cross rocks and gravel, ascend by steps cut into the cliff or by wooden bars pinned into the ground, huff and puff up steep alpine slopes and across talus slopes. All in all, they'll overcome more than 1,950 meters of vertical distance as they race through Amlach, Goggsteig and Hallebach Valley to the finish line at Kühbodentörl, which lies at 2,441 meters above sea level. But that's only the beginning: because now comes the paragliding!
The challenge for the paragliders begins at Kühbodentörl, where they'll run across a narrow catwalk to reach the starting place, from which they'll take off and soar above the mighty Lienzer Dolomites. But "just flying" wouldn't be a challenge for the toughest man under the sun, so the men who want to earn this title will have to land at Moosalm (1,000 meters above sea level), carry dozens of square meters of fabric on their shoulders, and ascend 200 meters on foot to reach the second starting place. From there, it'll be up, up and away again toward Leisach (710 meters above sea level), where they'll pass the baton to…
… the most courageous kayakers, who will warm up for their voyage with a daredevil six-meter starting leap, followed by a portage, a tricky rolling traverse and plenty of wild whitewater full of extreme upward zones and perilous turns. The battle between kayaks and whitewater will continue for five long kilometers. The water often wins! But for the team's whose paddlers conquer the water and make it all the way to Tiroler Bridge, the final stage is about to begin.
A grueling uphill ride - 17.4 kilometers - awaits the bikers, who'll overcome 1,695 meters of vertical distance. Dismounting - intentional or accidental - is unavoidable, because the shortest route from A to B across this extremely demanding terrain forces bikers to dismount, put their bikes over their shoulders and run through some of the toughest passages. Afterwards, crowds of spectators will be cheering along the sidelines when the surviving bikers whiz down the notorious FIS Men's Descent Stretch, with an average slope of 26.4%, and race toward the finish line at the main square in Lienze.
110 Teams from all over Europe will give their all - physically, mentally and emotionally - on September 6, 2008 to win the title of "Red Bull Dolomite Man 2008." Winners will also be judged in each of the four individual disciplines. Adrenaline, abrasions, falls and physical pain will be part of the event - and free of charge!
As if they hadn't already proven enough endurance, Champions Night on Saturday evening will demand even more fitness from the "Heroes of the Day." That's when everyone can join in the fun at the Red Bull Dolomite Man Party to celebrate along with the athletes. And for the first time, the next day we'll uphold the Austrian tradition of the Sunday morning "Frühschoppen" and get together for a brunch on September 7. Naturally, admission for everyone is free!
