Suunto Watch Supports Red Bull X-Alps Race
Friday - 12 July 2013
Suunto is sponsoring the 2013 Red Bull X-Alps, a 1,000km race across the Alps described as "the world's toughest adventure race". Each athlete competing has been given a Suunto Ambit2 to help them cope with its tough demands.
The Red Bull X-Alps sees 32 athletes from 21 countries race from Salzburg, Austria, to Monaco. Athletes can compete by foot or paraglider between the hours of 5am and 10.30pm each day. In a new rule for the 2013 10th anniversary edition, each athlete is also given a 'Night Pass' that allows them to continue on foot through one night of the competition.
"It's not just a physical challenge," says Hannes Arch, Red Bull X-Alps founder and former professional paraglider. "It's about the body and the mind. The athletes have to perform for 18 hours a day and sustain that for more than 10 days. It's a real adventure!"
The Red Bull X-Alps sees 32 athletes from 21 countries race from Salzburg, Austria, to Monaco. Athletes can compete by foot or paraglider between the hours of 5am and 10.30pm each day. In a new rule for the 2013 10th anniversary edition, each athlete is also given a 'Night Pass' that allows them to continue on foot through one night of the competition.
"It's not just a physical challenge," says Hannes Arch, Red Bull X-Alps founder and former professional paraglider. "It's about the body and the mind. The athletes have to perform for 18 hours a day and sustain that for more than 10 days. It's a real adventure!"
Beginning on July 7th, competitors will pass 10 turn points and cross five countries during the adventure. Each athlete is accompanied by a robust Suunto Ambit2 watch, with functions including GPS, route navigation and storm alarm.
"Packed in a glass fiber reinforced casing with a battery life of up to 50 hours in GPS mode, the Ambit2 is the perfect partner for these intrepid adventurers," Suunto says. "It gives accurate pace, speed, distance and altitude and features a 3D compass - all essential aids for the Red Bull X-Alps, both during training and the race, whether on the ground or in the air. It's also built to survive the harshest conditions, which the athletes will certainly encounter on their way to Monaco. Suunto wishes all the athletes the best of luck as they begin this epic adventure."
The Suunto Ambit2 is available to order now.
