Richard Brezina of Amakusa is currently competing in the Red Bull X-Alps. The “About” page of the competition’s official website says it’s “the world’s toughest adventure race” and “is returning July 2, 2017 for its eighth edition. Starting in Salzburg, 31 Athletes of 20 nationalities will race a straight-line distance of 1,138km across the Alps to Monaco via 7 turnpoints in 7 different countries, including a turnpoint in Slovenia for the first time in Red Bull X-Alps history. . . It demands not only expert paragliding skills but extreme endurance, as some athletes will hike over 100km a day and gain 1000’s of meters in altitude while flying.”
http://www.redbullxalps.com/race/about.html
Note that the website allows you to follow Rick’s progress live as well as that of all the athletes. He’s not in the lead at the moment but with over 1000 kilometers to go, anything can happen. The “About” page also has a very cool video showing what the race involves.
To see a segment on a local TV that shows Rick flying and features an interview with him go to
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1404621022944659
Here’s a posting from this page with a link to a Japan Times article about Rick:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1457113077695453
Good luck Rick! (not that I expect you to be looking at Facebook at the moment ;) )
– Kirk
http://www.redbullxalps.com/athletes/profile/richard-brezina.html
