Accompanied by screaming fans and excited spectators, racers took part in the unique Red Bull 400 Challenge. After the start signal, we moved from the starting position up the steep take-off ramp, to the balcony, to the take-off table, and then last but not least, onto the take-off track. On the steepest section with a sheer 75 percent incline, even the best of the best were on their knees. And you can be sure: it simply hurts – no matter whether you are a professional athlete or an amateur athlete, how good your condition is, or how well you train.
He added: “It was difficult as usual, but it was a little more difficult because it was a bit slippery, which required a lot of strength.”
01
Step by step towards victory
The men's full distance final presented by Tiroler Raiffeisenbanken developed into a very exciting race, as expected thanks to a top-class starting field. In the exciting final, Slovenian Klemen Spanring overcame strong competition and was able to claim the winner's cup in Innsbruck. With a time of 3:09.19 minutes, he left the competition behind him. “This race was perfect for me. I have been on the podium in the Red Bull 400 several times, but I missed the win. I came here with the goal of winning and I did it. Today I gave it my all, and before the finish line I knew that it could be possible.” He succeeds. The 22-year-old Slovenian, happy with his victory, said: “I felt strong, but I knew that the competition was also very strong.” The silver medal went to his compatriot Luka Kovacic, and after a great comeback, the 2022 winner, Jacob Mayer, came in third place.
Ski mountaineer Paul Verbenjak managed to record the highest result with an impressive eighth place. For former biathlete Dominik Landertinger and snowboarder Benjamin Karl, it was all over in the semi-finals after great runs. “It was tough as usual, but a little bit more difficult because it was a bit slippery, which required a lot of strength. But it was very nice to be able to run up the hill,” said Red Bull 400 experienced Dominik Landinger. Here again.” Benjamin Karl is also excited about his first participation in the Red Bull 400: “It's difficult, but it's also beautiful! You can see the target from the start, which makes it really cool, but it's also very tiring because you want to get to the target in front of your eyes as quickly as possible. But it is a very cool event and a privilege to be able to run on this hill, which you only know as a spectator of the ski jumpers!”
02
German winner of the women's competition
In the women's category, German professional ski mountaineer Tatiana Baller won the prestigious title in the women's full distance final presented by the Innsbruck Tourism Association. The Olympic team athlete from Lingris had the best control on the hill in Innsbruck and outperformed her rivals with an impressive performance and time of 4:19.32 minutes. “It was very cool! It exceeded my own expectations. It was also very difficult, but I was able to really enjoy the race, especially the surroundings,” says the newly crowned gold medalist. Slovenian Klara Filipek came in second place. Kirsten Strasser arrived from Lower Austria to finish at the top of the jump as the third fastest woman.
03
In succession to success
In the relay competition, about 33 participating relay teams showed not only fighting spirit but also exceptional team spirit and stormed the famous Four Hills Ski Jumping Championship at a distance of 4×100 metres. The “Masochists” team climbed to the podium in the men’s relay classification with a time of 2:28.33 minutes. The “dieFitmacher – Healthcenter” team beat the “Raiffeisen Rookie Team” and the “Rodel Austria” team around Hanna Brock in the mixed classification.
The legendary fire squadron races, which this year were a competition from their own ranks, provided pure excitement. Because with the new expansion to include additional blue light organizations, police squadrons also participated for the first time. In the Fire Brigade and Blue Light Relay presented by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, FF Tragwein 1 won the race with a relay time of 2:22.49 minutes, relatively narrowly ahead of the men from FF Grossvolderberg and last year's winners from FF Tessenberg. “We didn't really expect it, so we're even more happy! To win against this backdrop is something very special,” said the FF Tragwein 1 men, excited about their win.
04
Results Men's Full Distance Provided by Tiroler Raiffeisenbanken
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Klemen Spanring (SLO) 3:09.19 minutes
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Luka Kovacic (Slo) 3:21.61 minutes
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Jacob Mayer (Austria) 3:23.71 minutes
05
Results Women Full Distance Provided by Tourismusverband Innsbruck
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Tatiana Paler (Germany) 4:19.32 minutes
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Clara Filipek (Slovak) 4:30.60 minutes
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Kirsten Strasser (Austria) 4:32.31 minutes
06
Mixed relay results
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dieFitmacher – Health Center (AUT), 2:30.35 minutes
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Raiffeisen Rookie Team (Australia), 2:36.50
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Rodel Austria (Australia) 2:51.50 minutes
07
Men's relay results
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Team Masochists (Australia) with a time of 2:28.33 minutes
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SV Treisdorf (Austria), 2:50.20 minutes
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Rodel Austria (Austria) 2:56.17 minutes
08
Fire brigade and blue light relay results provided by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
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Free Fire Tragion 1 (Australia), 2:22.49 minutes
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Grossvolderberg (Austria) 2:43.91 minutes
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FF Teisenberg (Austria) 2:49.16 minutes
Part of this story
Red Bull 400
A distance of 400 metres, a difference of around 130 meters in elevation and brutal gradients, all in the fastest possible time – the Red Bull 400 is the ultimate test of strength, endurance, fighting spirit and courage.
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