Suunto partners the world’s toughest adventure race, the Red Bull X-Alps 2011, for the third time running. Thirty athletes from 22 different nations race 864 km non-stop through the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea, with only hiking and paragliding as their permitted modes of transport. The race begins in Salzburg, Austria on July 17, 2011, continues day and night and finishes when the first athlete reaches goal in Monaco. In between are eight turnpoints in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France.

Suunto, the official partner of the Red Bull X-Alps, provides the competitors with a Suunto Core outdoor watch, which will help them meet the extreme challenges that await.

Additionally, to celebrate the event, Suunto has produced a new limited edition Suunto Core Red Bull X-Alps Edition. Only 864 have been made – an individually engraved number on the reverse represents each kilometer of the 2011 route. The model features a matt-finish and unique Red Bull X-Alps design in charcoal with red accents. It provides the same reliable data as previous Core models by gathering the range of accurate data and information needed when exploring the wilder parts of the world. Its easy-to-use interface, with simple navigation, results in better safety in harsh conditions.

“Red Bull X-Alps is definitely one of the toughest outdoor races in the world,” states Markus Rampf, Sports Marketing Manager at Suunto. Suunto is happy to support this famous outdoor event. The Suunto Core fulfils exactly the needs of the participants providing the vital information on the direction, weather conditions and altitude.”

“The Suunto Core is the perfect tool for alpine adventure races such as the Red Bull X-Alps,” says Hannes Arch, Red Bull X-Alps mastermind. “It provides athletes with vital information on direction, weather conditions, and altitude.”

To purchase the limited edition watch, or to catch up on the latest X-Alps news, action, photos and videos as well as Live Tracking visit www.redbullxalps.com.

Red Bull X-Alps athletes train with Movescount.com

Nine Red Bull X-Alps athletes are tracking every training session with Suunto t6d heart rate monitors and uploading them to Suunto's online sports community, Movescount. Starting February 2011, every move the nine have made and will make up until the race start on July 17, 2011 are logged on the special Red Bull X-Alps group on Movescount.com.

Follow Christian Amon (AUT2), Mike Küng (AUT3) Richard Pethigal (BRA), Jon Chambers (GBR2), Andy Frötscher (ITA), Ivar Sandsta (NOR), Nuno Virgillo (POR), Max Fanderl (CAN), and Toma Coconea (ROM) as they prepare for the toughest challenge of their lives: www.movescount.com/groups/group1115-Red_Bull_X-Alps_Athletes.