This morning, Day 10, Pierre Carter was eliminated from the Red Bull X-Alps event. After the first three days of racing, the event eliminates back-enders at regular intervals. At 07h00 this morning, Pierre’s phone rang; the anticipated call from the organisers informing him of elimination.
Red Bull X-Alps started ten days ago from Salzburg and has seen the field dwindle as competitors have withdrawn with illness, injury and elimination. Although this is a paragliding event, a substantial distance is covered on foot through the Alps. Weather conditions have seen the competitors grounded and trekking through wind, rain and snow, despite it being summer.
During the first week Pierre was well placed, usually in the positions between six and 12. After a really big day on Wednesday, Day 4, where he covered a massive 96km on foot, Pierre started to feel ill. It seems to have been a combination of heatstroke and possibly a viral infection too.
On Thursday he fell asleep a number of times during a long flight – the tip of his glider wing woke him up at one point! – and it was then that doctors administered treatment and recommended that he rest for at least six hours. At the end of this period Pierre was still unwell and his rest period extended to 18 hours. He lost many places but the rest was crucial.
Pierre crawled through the next few days, racing for a few hours and resting for a few hours. On Monday, Day 9, he seemed back in fine form but was chasing to escape this morning’s elimination. When the Argentinian pilot wtihdrew after he landed in a tree, Pierre was left at the back, neck-and-neck with the Czech pilot, Skrabalek.
Today the Red Bull X-Alps website reported: “Last night he hiked high to try and out-glide Skrabalek, but was dogged by a tailwind that prevented him launching. At 0700 hrs, Carter got the call to say his race was over.”
In a post this morning the event reports, “Pierre Carter (RSA) has been eliminated. He had hoped for a long glide today to try and catch the pack ahead of him but a tailwind prevented him launching. Carter, who was laid up quite ill three nights ago, has shown amazing perseverance in the last four days. His mission was to stay in the game until the leader made Monaco, but the race’s ‘tail-end Charlie’ elimination rule put paid to that. The next elimination happens 0700 hrs on Thursday 28 July.”
We eagerly await another report from Pierre and James Braid, his supporter. They are on their way to Monaco. Race leader, and 2009 winner, Christian Maurer is expected to reach Monaco tomorrow, Wednesday.
This morning: Pierre in position and ready to fly. Tail-winds prevented flight
and Pierre was unable to take-off and challenge the CZE pilot.