On August 23, 2014, the 12th China International Mountain Outdoor Sports Open (Chongqing "Wulong") commenced at the Wulong Fairy Mountain Tourism Resort. A total of 23 top-tier outdoor sports teams from around the world will compete over four days, covering a distance of 210 kilometers and 13 events. The Wulong Outdoor Race is not only renowned for its breathtaking scenery, but also its complex and varied terrain, high-difficulty challenges, and localized features, which attract many outdoor enthusiasts, representing the highest level of international outdoor sports today. The first day's qualifiers covered a total distance of 13.5 kilometers, including cross-country running, run-bike-run, mountain biking, and sedan chair carrying. The legendary Red Bull team, led by Urs Hefti and his wife, put on an outstanding performance in heavy rain, finishing almost flawlessly with a time of 41 minutes and 20.5 seconds, placing third provisionally. The Red Bull second team was affected by insufficient grip due to a front tire that was too hard, finishing tenth overall and second in the domestic group with a time of 47 minutes and 43.9 seconds.
The qualifiers were shorter in distance. After a two-kilometer cross-country run, the next event was the locally distinctive sedan chair carrying. As per competition rules, three male athletes carried a female teammate over a 500-meter sprint. Irina often said she felt very apologetic during that part. Next came the run-bike-run segment, where the Red Bull team maintained a steady position in the leading pack. The race route shifted abruptly from road to mountain trail, and as athletes entered the mountain biking section, the heavy rain had made the gravel surface extremely slippery. In the blink of an eye, the lead group disappeared into the winding mountain path. Even seasoned photographers were amazed—on such steep slopes, the Red Bull team members rode straight down, while those less confident on their bikes had to get off and push. Emotive Irina gestured vividly to describe the scene: “If you slow down, the wheel of the guy ahead will definitely splash mud right in your face, and then you won’t be able to see a thing.” She mimed wiping her eyes. The final sprint segment was the cross-country run, where the Red Bull team crossed the finish line in 41 minutes and 20 seconds, ranking third, while the first-place New Zealand Adventure Team finished just 40 seconds ahead.
After the race, team captain Richard summarized: “This was a qualifier, the race time was short, everyone was going all-out like in a sprint. The race went smoothly, with no mistakes and no injuries. The real show begins from tomorrow onward—we’ll ease up a bit because we have enough distance ahead to showcase our endurance and strength.”
The Red Bull second team for this race consists of Uyghur athlete Pajula Kasimu, Kazakh youth Yesen Shiwohen, Alhan Yimasi (female), and Hu Wanze from Guizhou. This team has been growing increasingly mature. On the first day, they placed second in the domestic group. Team captain Pajula mentioned that the newly replaced front tire on the mountain bike was a bit hard, causing some sliding during downhill sections and affecting speed. He spent the afternoon changing to a new tire to resolve technical issues for the upcoming days.
The next three days of the main competition will be even more grueling. On the 24th, the course spans 64.4 kilometers and includes cross-country running, kayaking, mountain biking, and underground river crossings, along with a blowgun skill challenge. An underground river is a type of karst landform, referring to a river beneath the ground surface. Competitors will traverse an approximately 5-kilometer underground river section, which will be the most challenging part of the race.