Red Bull X-Alps is an elite adventure race, a unique test of flying skills and physical endurance – and for most of the men and women taking part, a competition they don’t have a hope in hell of winning. For 12 days, this exceptional group of ultra-prepared athletes will hike up into the mountains for altitude, paraglide for hours in pursuit of distance and almost certainly find on landing they’ve lost more ground to a man nicknamed The Eagle who's been untouchable in the event for over a decade.

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