Fox hunt on two wheels

At Red Bull Trailfox, a whole pack of freeriders hungry for a haul followed the scent of series winner René Wildhaber. After three challenging contests, two new top dogs emerged.

The winner’s list of Red Bull Trailfox, the annual freerider festival in Flims, Switzerland, is about as exciting but not quite as varied as the Swiss telephone book. Winner in 2004: René Wildhaber; in 2005 René Wildhaber, in 2006 René Wildhaber and 2007, exactly, René Wildhaber. The 31-year-old not only has his riding talents to thank for his series win, but also his excellent knowledge of the region. Coming from Flims, René knows every rock and each root inside out from painful training experience.

Three races in 48 hours

 

Because winning again and again can get boring after a while, Wildhaber drummed up the strongest field of riders in Red Bull Trailfox history for 2008. On June 13, alongside colleagues from the downhill marathon scene like Jérome Clementz, France, and Christophe Payet, La Réunion, downhill pros such as Claudio Caluori and freeskier Phil Meier also joined the contestants. As is the case every year, the riders had to complete three different stages within 48 hours – and were only allowed one bike to do it on.

Through the underbrush at night

 

The riders faced the first test of courage on the 600-meter night trail: from ten o’clock in the evening they took to the former freeride track in total darkness, downhill on narrow single trails, threading through rocks and trees. ‘You’re always too late to react,’ said Phil Meier, impressed by the unusual challenge. ‘But it’s amazing fun.’ The strongest nose for the racing line went to Jérome Clementz and Leonie Dickerhoff, who won the men’s and women’s contests respectively.

North Shore or Chicken Line?

 

At the Sunset Trail – the contest that followed the next day – the light conditions may have been perfect, but the track was even more treacherous. Awaiting the fearless were narrow wooden board walks, steep curves and jumping ramps. Those who chickened out on facing these obstacles had the choice of taking the so-called Chicken Line – naturally a somewhat longer circuit. Again Clementz accomplished the track in the fastest time, while in the women’s contest, Caroline Sax took the overall lead.

From pacemaker to trailfox

 

The final decision fell after the Red Bull Trailfox party on the High Noon Trail on the long-range route. From the group start of 25, Caroline Sax proved top dog, thus also winning overall in the women’s league. The men’s contest was won by René Wildhaber. On an 1800-meter slippery track over rocks, fields and roots and a 400-meter North Shore, he didn’t spare a thought for overall winner-to-be Jérome Clementz. ‘René’s line was incredible,’ said Clementz at the finish line. ‘I was a good 100 meters behind him all the way, but was never able to catch up.’ Yet for him, the overall victory was compensation enough: ‘I was actually only invited to give René a good run for his money. That I was able to take home the overall booty really makes my day.’