Adventure Racing
How Aaron Durogati's 'magic move' won a thrilling Red Bull X-Alps finale
After 1,283km, 16 turnpoints and countless hours of tension and adrenaline - Red Bull X-Alps 2025 is in the books, and Italy's Aaron Durogati's tactical masterstroke saw him win for the first time.
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How Durogati's maiden victory unfolded
Durogati celebrates his victory
© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool
In a thrilling finish late on Day 8 (Sunday, June 22), Aaron Durogati (ITA1) shook off the challenge of three other athletes in the lead group to win this year's edition of Red Bull X-Alps, the toughest adventure race in the world. The result means that for the first time in 16 years, Red Bull X-Alps has a new winner. Durogati, a two-time World Cup winner in paragliding, who's taken part in every race since 2013, sensationally beat all-conquering eight-time champion Christian 'Chrigel' Maurer (SUI1) after pulling off his own 'magic move' over the Karwendel mountains on the final stage of this year's race.
It's incredible that I did it! I can't even describe how it feels
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What was Durogati's magic move?
Durogati's done it - your new Red Bull X-Alps champion
© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool
At 1pm, Durogati was the first to arrive at Turnpoint 14, Lermoos - Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, but only seconds ahead of Maurer, Simon Oberrauner (AUT1) and Lars Meerstetter (SUI4). After climbing 1,000m in altitude to be able to fly, he opted for the direct route to Zell am See, staying north of the airspace around Innsbruck airport, while the other three athletes chose the route to the south.
It turned out to be an inspired choice and by the afternoon he was already 30km ahead of his rivals. By early evening he had a clear lead and, when he touched down at 7.24pm CEST at Turnpoint 15, Schmittenhöhe, his victory was sealed. He then flew down to the floating raft in Lake Zell, the finish line, where he arrived at 8.01pm.
Amidst emotional scenes, an ecstatic Durogati said: "It's unbelievable that I made it! I can't even describe how it feels. My glide up the Schmittenhöhe was amazing."
The co-founder and organiser of the race Ulrich Grill, said: "This was the most exciting final in the history of Red Bull X-Alps! For the first time since 2009 we have a new winner. Congratulations to Aaron Durogati for his spectacular performance in this year's race."
That was the most exciting final in the history of Red Bull X-Alps!
Find out more about Red Bull X-Alps 2025
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The race to make the podium
Lars Meerstetter was thrilled to snatch second
© Sebastian Marko/Red Bull Content Pool
After plenty of nip and tuck behind Durogati, it was Meerstetter who eventually finished as the best of the chasing group, taking second place, with Oberrauner in third and Maurer just missing out on the podium in fourth. Oberrauner was the first Austrian to cross the finish line after putting together a great race in which he was often in the lead. "What a race," he commented. "I'm so incredibly happy, now I just want to enjoy it and hug my team. It was so close and just to the point that Lars and I finished within a few seconds of each other. It feels so good to fly home in third place like this," continued the delighted Graz native, who previously came third in 2021.
Get the full lowdown on the thrilling finish in Day 9's Field Report:
This edition was one of the toughest we have ever experienced
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The final athlete crosses the line - just!
Sebrand Warren was the last active athlete to avoid the cut
© Lukas Pilz/Red Bull Content Pool
When the clock eventually ran down on the event, at 11.30am on Friday, June 27, the last active athlete had only recently crossed the finish line. Despite the storms raging over the Alps, Dutch-American adventurer Sebrand Warren (NED) reached the finish with just under two hours to spare, at 9.33am. On his arrival Warren was overwhelmed by emotions. He said: "I can't even process this yet. I didn't expect to get this far, it's just incredible." His outstanding performance marked the end of the biennial race, which had begun almost two weeks earlier in Kitzbühel-Kirchberg, Austria with 33 athletes from all over the world starting their adventure across the Alps.
"This edition was one of the toughest we have ever experienced, the route was longer, there were more via ferratas and for the first time in many years the route went deep into France. But above all, it was the most fiercely contested podium ever," emphasised race director Ferdinand Vogel after the Red Bull X-Alps finish. "I have great respect for the athletes and their tactical skill. My congratulations go to Aaron Durogati for a brilliant and inspiring race - and to everyone who showed great stamina, flying skills and good decisions in difficult situations."
You can relive every key moment of the 2025 race via the Red Bull X-Alps Whatsapp channel.
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Red Bull X-Alps 2025: The key facts
2025 saw the longest route in the event's history
© Red Bull X-Alps
Red Bull X-Alps is the world’s toughest adventure race. It’s a fiercely contested battle across the Alps lasting almost two weeks in which 30+ athletes run, hike and fly by paraglider up to 150km a day passing set Turnpoints positioned across iconic mountains and famous resorts. With athletes often hiking up to 4,000m of vertical ascent a day and running as much as 100km on foot, it’s not only an incredible test of physical endurance but it has become recognised as the supreme test for the world’s best hike-and-fly athletes. The race was founded in 2003 by the late adventurer Hannes Arch and has taken place every two years since then.
Red Bull X-Alps 2025 started on June 15 and ended on June 27. There were 33 athletes from 17 countries taking part. At 1,283km the 2025 route wass longer than ever, featuring 16 Turnpoints across five countries.
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