Pierre Carter takes on the legendary Red Bull X Alps
Pierre Carter is the man who has taken up this challenge, but what exactly is the Red Bull X Alps? Adventure racing is what springs to mind, but with a difference.
Most adventure races are held over a couple of days, in which the competitors have to cover a distance of 100 – 400km (sometimes more). The race usually consists of a journey through rough terrain, involving various other disciplines (Mountain biking, climbing, repelling , Kayaking etc) in order to reach certain check points/ turn points en route to the finish line. The Eco-Challenge is probably one of the toughest of these events.
The Red Bull X Alps is an adventure race of extreme proportions. It requires its participants to cover over 800Km (as the crow flies!) down the spine of the Alps. Starting in Salzburg Austria and ending in Monaco on the Mediterranean coast line, the event is comprised of seven turn points, demanding that the competitors pass through Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and France. The 30 competitors, selected from around the world, can either run and walk or fly (by means of paragliders; an inflatable wing that allows one to ride thermals, and air currents) to reach their final destination. The competitors are required to carry their equipment, weighing up to 15 kg, for the entire rout, and are supported by a second who provides food, a tent and information about the weather.
The race is a continuous event that stops only 48 hours after the first competitor has reached the finish line. The total amount of kilometres covered by the individuals is calculated to determine their positions. The race will be broadcast live on www.redbullxalps.com , where one can view the competitors’ progress 24/7 on Google earth as they are tracked across the Alps via satellite and Google earth.
43 year old building contractor Pierre Carter, and his second James Braid, have had their eyes on the X Alps since its inception in 2003. The race is held every 2nd year, and 2009 will be its 4th time running. After having been accepted as the first South African (and, for that matter, African) participant in the race, Pierre began a grueling training regime, which basically consists of a Tim Noaks’s ultra training program, Gym and a specific diet. Pierre expects to cover around 1300 km in total, as he will be winding his way up, over and around mountains and valleys. He will travel over 800 km under foot, and another +/- 500km in the air. He hopes it will be the other way round.
Asked what his weaknesses are he replies: “I have no local Knowledge, placing me at a disadvantage to the seventeen competitors who have done the race before… and I don’t know how I’m going to cope with the sleep deprivation.” To come in the top 10 one has to survive on 3-4 hrs of sleep out of every 24 hrs, for around 12 to 15 days. It seems as though giving birth, and raising a colic infant would be a good way to train for this!
We wish Pierre and James all the best in their endeavor and trust that they will hold the South African flag up high. So look out for the start on 19 July where you can view the race in 3D on Google earth, and leave the two nut cases a comment or two so as to motivate them through the crazy trial that awaits them.