Press release
June 12, 2019
Legendary trans Alps race relies on RECCO technology for added safety and rescue services
Stockholm, Sweden – June 12, 2019 – Red Bull X-Alps is one of the most challenging competitions on the planet. Traversing 1000 km over the rugged backbone of Europe, the competition features 32 of the world’s top paraglider and endurance athletes hiking, climbing and flying from Salzburg to Monaco. “Athletes face the difficult task of choosing their own routes, which will often lead them through remote alpine territory. Partnering up with RECCO, we are very happy to have all our athletes equipped with these tiny reflectors that permit us to locate them for safety purposes.“ –Jürgen Wietrzyk, Safety Director Red Bull X-Alps.
It is a test of mind, body and spirit. It’s also a test of gear, as athletes fight sun, snow, rain and wind as they seek glory. In this beautiful and harsh environment, one thing is guaranteed: Despite the grueling rigors of the competition, the safety of the athletes always comes first, and RECCO technology is an important component to ensure everyone will return home safely.
This year, as an official safety partner of the Red Bull X-Alps 2019, Recco Reflectors are a mandatory piece of equipment for all the athletes competing in this legendary event. Athletes will be equipped with RECCO rescue reflectors via integrated reflectors in the Salewa race apparel (jacket and pant) and attachable reflectors for helmet and backpacks.
Lightweight, impervious to weather and needing no batteries or other power source, RECCO reflectors allow search and rescue professionals to quickly pinpoint the location of a lost or downed athlete with the use of the RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector. This technology can rapidly search large areas, quickly pinpointing the location anyone equipped with a RECCO reflector. This innovative technology is a perfect fit for the Red Bull X-Alps, where athletes will fly over remote and rugged terrain in unpredictable weather conditions, far from the comforts of civilization. With local rescue teams deployed along the competition route with RECCO SAR Helicopter Detectors, a rescue of a missing athlete can be made in a fast and efficient way.
“We are very pleased about this partnership because it demonstrates the practicality of our system,” says Fredrik Steinwall, CEO of RECCO. “Equipping everyone with RECCO reflectors helps ensure that rescuers can locate a missing athlete.”
With the race posed to start on June 16, and late winter snows covering the northern Alps, conditions will be challenging for the elite field that will contest the 2019 edition of the Red Bull X-Alps. The extra layer of security provided by RECCO ensures that while many athletes will once again find it challenging to make it to Monaco, everyone will be able to make it home.
Read more about Red Bull X-Alps: https://www.redbullxalps.com/
Julia Granhed, Assistant Marketing Manager
Tel: +46 (0)70 735 43 07 julia.granhed@recco.com
RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 28 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm). More info at recco.com
