Mountain Running
4TITUDE final crowns Mayer and Wernig champions
Local athletes Luka Kovačič and Barbara Trunkelj defend their titles at the Planica ski flying hill. But it’s Jakob Mayer and Martina Wernig who steal the spotlight at the 4TITUDE Challenge final.
It was a huge day for the Red Bull 400, with Slovenia marking not just the penultimate race this season, but also the final for the 4TITUDE Challenge. Named the “summer’s steepest challenge”, the 4TITUDE Challenge took place across four locations in Europe, and Slovenia was the last hurdle in this dynamic race. But what a venue to finish on. Planica is the only ski flying hill in the 2019 calendar and is certainly not for the faint of heart. At a colossal 225m, it towers far above even the toughest Red Bull 400 venues we have seen so far this year.
The sprint is on
© Jure Makovec / Red Bull Content Pool
It’s the seventh time that the ski flying hill of the Gorišek brothers has hosted this event and this time 1,175 competitors were drawn in from 21 countries to compete in this legendary 400m uphill sprint. As participant numbers increase, the pressure increases and Jakob Mayer, holding first place after three of the four 4TITUDE events, felt the pressure to win in the men’s event more than anyone.
Mayer has made a huge name for himself over the past couple of years with some incredible winning times across multiple Red Bull 400 venues so it’s no surprise that the crowd expected a strong performance from the Austrian athlete.
4titude Challenge winner Jakob Mayer on his way to the top
© Jure Makovec / Red Bull Content Pool
But in order to take first place in the Planica event, Mayer would have to defeat Slovenian athlete, Luka Kovačič, two-time winner for this venue and the only person to have ever conquered this monstrous hill in under five minutes.
It should become a battle like no other. The finish line lay above them, seemingly impossibly far, but both men set their sights on the goal and, as the starting blast sounded, they launched themselves up. The two athletes commanded the attention of the entire crowd as they heaved their way up the desperately steep ski flying hill. It was close, very close, as they gained on the finishing line, but it was Kovačič who slowly, but surely, started pulling ahead of Mayer and keeping that distance, Kovačič shot across the finish line to finish in 4m 55.9s, setting a new record time for the location.
Luka Kovačič celebrates his win
© Jure Makovec/Red Bull Content Pool
“It’s a hat trick for me!” said the thrilled Slovenian athlete. “It was a really amazing feeling as I don’t think anyone believed winning three times in a row here was possible. I just did my best, worked hard throughout the year and I won the toughest challenge of all! All the competitors were ready, 100 percent in shape, because everyone was competing for a place in the 4TITUDE rankings. Everybody went full gas and in the end I was a little bit faster and I’m really happy with my result. I really enjoy the Red Bull 400 challenge. It’s my passion and I just want to do it again and again and again.”
Kovačič remains the only person to have defeated this hill in under five minutes – a feat that amazes onlookers and torments his competitors. Mayer claimed second place with his time of 5m 6.8s. Despite aiming for first place, the Austrian athlete is still pleased with his performance – as he should be, having been crowned the clear 4TITUDE Champion with 1580 points following his unparalleled performances across all four 4TITUDE venues.
The 4titude winners: Alexander Brandner, Jakob Mayer and Matjaz Miklosa
© Sinisa Kanizaj / Red Bull Content Pool
“It was hard, but a good race for me,” reflected Mayer. “Yes I came second, but that makes two times first and two times second across the 4TITUDE races and I think that’s good. Plus I was happy to come second to Luka as he was really strong today. Next year I want to become World Champion. In Sapporo. And I want to defend my title on the 4TITUDE Challenge.”
Completing the podium for the men’s was Slovenian athlete, Andrej Koželj with his time of 5m 13.0s. While Alexander Brandner and Matjaz Miklosa take second and third place in the men’s 4TITUDE Challenge.
Barbara Trunkel on her way to victory
© Sinisa Kanizaj / Red Bull Content Pool
There were a few favourites to win in the women’s race including Martina Wernig, who has competed in several Red Bull events this year and Suzy Walsham, who put in a notable performance at the Titisee-Neustadt event. But the Planica race is long and to defeat this hill participants have to draw upon everything they have, both mentally and physically. In this case, experience also played a hand and 2018 winner Barbara Trunkelj, was the one to shine in this formidable challenge. Crossing the finishing line, Trunkelj came in at 6m 24.4s.
The Slovenian athlete was thrilled. “I’m super happy because I won this race in Planica now for the second time! I will for sure participate in more Red Bull 400 events next year and I would definitely like to compete properly in the 4TITUDE Challenge!”
Luka Kovačič and Barbara Trunkel pose with their winner's trophies
© Sinisa Kanizaj / Red Bull Content Pool
Tea Femc and Mojca Koligar secured an all-Slovenian podium with their respective times of 6m 38.2s and 6m 47.0s.
Although not in the top three finishers at the Planica event, Martina Wernig has competed in three of the four 4TITUDE events and her strong performances across the venues sees her take the title of 4TITUDE Champion with 1030 points.
Melanie Mayer, Martina Wernig and Suzy Walsham
© Sinisa Kanizaj / Red Bull Content Pool
“I competed in Val di Fiemme, Bischofshofen and now in Planica,” said Wernig. “The hardest was definitely Planica. It’s a bit longer and much steeper than the others. I am already looking forward to the next Red Bull 400 season and 4TITUDE Challenge. I will train more, especially for Planica and Bischofshofen! More sprints and training out in the wild!”
Completing the 4TITUDE Challenge leadership board for the women are Melanie Mayer and Suzy Walsham with 850 and 770 points respectively.
Competitors at the mixed relay
© Sinisa Kanizaj / Red Bull Content Pool
The 4TITUDE Challenge has added a new dynamic to the Red Bull 400: adding a new goal to the toughest 400m on the planet and another reason for competitors to go above and beyond. This is what the Red Bull 400 is all about. Challenging yourself to new levels and pushing yourself further than you thought possible. The 4TITUDE Challenge will return with the Red Bull 400 next year and it’s your chance to find out what you are made of.
Alpensia Ski Jump Center in Korea will host the season finale on September 28. It’s one of the most exciting new venues for the 2019 Red Bull 400 calendar, having held the Olympic Games just last year. With this awe-inspiring location, this debut event promises an incredible conclusion to this epic journey.
Red Bull 400 Planica Women's results
PLACE
NAME
TIME
1.
Barbara Trunkelj (SLO)
6m 24.4s
2.
Tea Femc (SLO)
6m 38.2s
3.
Mojca Koligar (SLO)
6m 47.6s
Red Bull 400 Planica Men's results
PLACE
NAME
TIME
1.
Luka Kovačič (SLO)
4m 55.9s
2.
Jakob Mayer (AUT)
5m 06.8s
3.
Anrej Koželj (SLO)
5m 13.0s