avalancha team

The first ever Brazilian athlete will line up on the Red Bull X-Alps startline on July 17, 2011 in Salzburg. Tandem pilot and rafting guide, Richard Pethigal, 42, is one of two South American athletes competing in this year's race, and knows that he has a tough job competing with the Europeans.

However, he is determined to do his country proud and tells us how his preparations are unfolding and what challenges he faces.

The nine athletes recording their training on Suunto's online sports community, Movescount, are clocking up large volumes of training as the start of the 2011 Red Bull X-Alps rapidly approaches.

Christian Amon (AUT2), Mike Küng (AUT3) Richard Pethigal (BRA), Jon Chambers (GBR2), Andy Frötscher (ITA), Ivar Sandsta (NOR), Nuno Virgilio (POR), Max Fanderl (CAN) and Toma Coconea (ROM) have uploaded every training move since February, which can all be moved on a special Red Bull X-Alps group on Movescount.