Dolomitenmann 2025: Athletes from 18 nations fight for glory!

Dolomitenmann 2025: Athletes from 18 nations fight for glory!

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the 38th edition of the Dolomitenmann, one of the most challenging team events in extreme sports, starts at 10:00 a.m. 110 groups of four have registered for this year's event, including 440 athletes from 18 nations between the ages of 16 and 66. This diversity is underlined by the active participation of teams from the Lienz region, where 34 of the 110 teams have at least one member from East Tyrol or Carinthia; seven teams are completely local. Despite the high number of participants, there is no separate ranking for the four all-female teams, which is due to the small number of all-women teams and the seven mixed teams that have registered. 19 teams of four compete in the professional ranking, including the defending champions from Kolland. An award will be given to the three fastest professional teams and the three best amateur teams.

There are some significant changes to the route for competitors. The canoeists have to adapt to a change in route due to construction sites. The Isel was identified as a suitable river for the competition and the route was tightened with an additional uphill zone after the Eskimorolle. This shows the constant change and adaptations of the event to infrastructural conditions. In addition, the Iseltrail will be closed between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the day of the event in order to offer the athletes safety and to ensure that things run smoothly.

Economic challenges and support

Organizer Niki Grissmann commented on the economic challenges facing the event; the total costs amount to around 1.5 million euros. Despite the logistical and financial hurdles, the Dolomitenmann receives support from Red Bull, but there is a desire for more help from North Tyrol to further strengthen the event. Around 600 volunteers are involved, with 90 of them standing along the mountain bike route to help athletes and spectators. The event attracts thousands of fans every year who create an extraordinary atmosphere and cheer on the athletes as “gladiators of the arena”. Without these athletes, the Dolomitenmann could not be the benchmark for extreme sports that it represents today.

In order to ensure that the event is held sustainably, it is important to take the environmental impact of such sporting events into account. According to the German Sport University Cologne, large sporting events such as the Dolomitenmann and other extreme sports competitions contribute significantly to the economy, but also have negative effects on the environment and nature. Therefore, implementing environmentally friendly practices and promoting sustainable measures is crucial. Proactive approaches to reducing waste, traffic and noise pollution during such events are intended to minimize the ecological footprint while promoting enjoyment of sport.

Supporting program and festivities

The event promises not only exciting competitions, but also a diverse supporting program. On Friday evening, the Ö3 warm-up night begins at 8 p.m. with DJ David Gstraunthaler, followed by the performance of the “Glueboys” at 10 p.m. The Ö3 Champions Night will take place on Saturday with musical entertainment at the award ceremony, which starts at 7:00 p.m. The highlights are the Trombones, which perform at 6:30 p.m., and the conclusion with a live performance by the Carinthian musician Rian at 10:00 p.m. In the meantime, various hotspots along the route will offer special attractions, including performances by the Red Bull Skydive Team and model flight demonstrations by Josef Schmirl.

The entire event promises to delight the audience and provide participants with an unforgettable experience. Event visitors are invited to reach the hotspots on foot or by bike and to pay attention to the mandatory airspace closure - including for drones - to ensure the safety of everyone involved. You can find more information about the Dolomitenmann and the event on the official website redbulldolomitenmann.com as well as in a detailed article dolomitenstadt.at.