Multi-Sport RacingTriathalons and Adventure Racing have been sweeping the nation at a phenomenal rate. Multi-Sport Racing is one of the few sports where just completing a race is often considered a victory. Learn all about this sport, post photos, meet potential teammates or brag about your performance in a race.
The X-Adventure Raid Series is happening as we speak (May 7-9). I thought it would be fun to post the day by day race reports. This is one of the top international races featuring the top racers in the world. So follow this thread to see what's going on in Morocco.
P.S. These reports come to me from the Sleepmonsters site.
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Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
On the 7th of May the African continent, more precisely Morocco, will host the opener of the 2004 X-adventure Raid Series; stage 1 in the qualifying circuit for the first Raid World. 45 teams from 17 different countries will discover the natural treasures of the High Atlas and the timeless beauty of its typical Berber villages.
This year, the X-adventure Raid Series has chosen a land rich in contrast and colours to launch a landmark season. As the teams cover the 192km course they will discover diverse and striking landscapes nurtured by the Moroccan spring. The High-Atlas offers snow at 4000m in the M’Goun massif, the luxuriant valleys of the d’Aït Bougmez region are cut by swollen and vigorous torrents, and teams will race through luxuriant forests and past the cob-bricked houses of the surrounding Berber villages.
New to the X-adventure concept, but still a very experienced team are the Argentineans of AXN, appearing in the first of 4 stages they have entered. They will hope to earn enough valuable points towards their final ranking to qualify for the first edition of the Raid World Championship, to be held on their home turf at the end of the season.
The two Brazilian teams of Clight Salomon Atenah and Faap Adventure, no slackers when it comes to criss-crossing the planet in search of adventure, will go head to head and will be looking for the same points AXN are seeking to qualify for Zone VII. But this will be an incredibly hard fought group as it includes both North and South America. In this first stage Travelocity and Salomon USA will represent the USA.
The unstoppable Finns of Nokia Adventure are back in the competition, returning to the circuit after a year’s “furlough”, while the Japanese of Samurai Spirit and the Russians of International Dimensions will be unknown, but tough, competition for established X-adventure teams.
The mountainous terrain the raiders will have to tackle over the weekend (almost 6,000m of height gain) and the fact that the 9 sections will, on average, be longer than usuall will no doubt inspire these committed athletes to performance levels beyond those seen on any opening stage of the X-adventure Raid Series thus far.
It’s a course layout that teams accustomed to extreme efforts at high altitude, such as Les Arcs-Quechua (FR), Salomon Suisse (CH), Saab-Salomon (GB) and Human Link (SE), should appreciate. All strong mountain runners they will ensure it is a blistering and competitive start.
The opening trek of 21km from Tabant to the Arous Plateau will certainly take a toll and eliminate some of the weaker elements while the final MTB section of the first day (64km and 1,000m of elevation gain), to the camp-site located at Im-n-Warg, will undoubtedly allow some of the stronger teams to widen the gap on their pursuers.
The extensive and untamed rivers to be negotiated in canoes will enable any powerful paddlers to limit the damage, while the rope sections, and in particular, a splendid canyon at the beginning of race in the Agous gorge, will provide the 180 raiders with a thrilling start. It’s going to be a great start to a season of X-adventures spanning the globe.
(The race is organized with the support of the National Tourist Office of Morocco and Royal Air Morocco.)
To see a detailed map of the race course and a full team list go to www.theraid.org.
Stage Details
Number of teams: 45 (17 nations)
Start : Tabant (MA) 08/05 at 06:00
Finish:Lac Bin El Ouiudane (MA)
Overall distance: 192km
Elevation gain: 5,800m
Minimum elevation: 810m
Maximum elevation: 3,074m
Adventure running/trekking – 58 km
MTB - 94 km
Canoe - 18 km
Canyon and ropeworks – 12km
9 sections
Report 2 - Course overview
The excitement was palpable, in the tiny mountain village of Agouti where the teams underwent the technical verifications in preparation for the first stage of the 2004 X-adventure Raid Series. A first stage covering 192kms of some of North Africa’s most gruelling and diverse terrain that will test their technical and mental capacities to the full.
The race will explode into life at 06:00 local time, in the glimmer of dawn’s first light, as the teams set out from Tabant to confront what is likely to be one of the most difficult and demanding opening sections of the season. Awaiting them is a 32km trek with a first pass at Tizn-n-ait-imi (2,900m) and another at 2,800m, as they make their way to highest point in the course at Tizn-n-tanout (3,074m). What would normally be a tough test of stamina will be rendered all the more technical and gruelling by the fact that anything over 2,600m has received more than 80cms snow during the last 24 hours. 21kms into this almost circular section, they will display their canyoning skills by indulging in a variety of disciplines from flying-fox to rappelling, as they descend the narrow gorges of the Arous River (2,500m), before continuing down to the Arous Plateau (1,850m) to pick up their mountain bikes at assistance point 1.
After making any appropriate tactical changes to obtain the strongest possible MTB racing mix, the teams will begin a 30k uphill grind East along the Bou Guemez valley, back through Tabant and turning North at Rbat to a pass at 2,400m. 4kms later, after a swift downhill rush to Ifrane (2,019m), they will turn East again along a track to Zawyat Oulzmi, assistance point 2, abandoning their bikes for another bout of adventure running.
The second trek of the day involves an initial uphill push over 11kms, in the shadow of the soaring wall of Jebel Azourki (3,677m), to the Tizi Yllaz pass at 2,905m. The teams will head North again as they make for the road at Asm-Souk and assistance point 3 (2,348m), 6kms further on, where, for the final section of the day, their bikes will be waiting to speed them to the campsite at Imn-n-Warg… But not before they cover the 64kms of jinking, sinuous route that winds through the verdant valley of the Assif-n-ou-Ahancal River nor overcome the insidious nature of dusk’s failing light. The slower teams will be condemned to race beneath the stars of the moonless Atlas sky.
A rude awakening awaits our intrepid raiders as the first light of the Sunday sun reveals what to all would have been hidden during the previous evening’s arrival at the campsite. The majestic monolith of the “Cathedral Rock” will cast an imposing shadow as the teams cover the 7kms to its summit (1,870m), complete the rope works, including a 60m rappel, and return to the campsite and assistance point 5 for a 10km canoeing section down the “Rose River”, aptly named by locals in honour of its banks lined with rose coloured laurel trees, to the village of Tillouguit and assistance point 6.
The penultimate section of this first stage is a stiff trek taking the teams from 1,096m to the Tiddouliouine pass at 1,900m and downhill again over a distance of 20kms to the final assistance point 7 on the shore of Lake Bin El Ouidane. A thrilling finish with a short 9km sprint down through the narrow Eastern breaks of the lake will bring the race to a close on the southern shore sometime around 15:00 Sunday afternoon.
Report 3 - the start
41 teams set out this morning at precisely 6h00 from Tabant, for an opening 21km trek to the snow bound heights of mount Tizi-n-Tanout (3074m).
The early morning mists were rapidly dispersed by the first rays of sunshine barely warming the runners at the start of this first stage of the 2004 season held in Morocco’s High-Atlas. The tiny Berber village of Tabant woke to the sound of the trucks that dropped off the 41 teams all eager to fight for a coveted spot at the Raid World Championship in Argentina later in the year. The impressive pack of athletes raced away at 06h00 this morning through the narrow slumbering paved streets of the tiny mountain village of Tabant.
The majority of teams chose to run an all male leg on this section that includes 1,600m of elevation gain with a snowline at 2,400m.
Report 4 -
It was clear right from the start the those teams already accustomed to high altitude effort and with a solid experience of short distance competition racing would identify this first section as an ideal opportunity to test the mettle of close and distant rivals alike.
So intent on stamping their superiority on this race, and maybe even on this series, that the most awesome teams from the mountainous regions of Europe, LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) and SALOMON SUISSE (CH), immediately began to take command of the situation by pushing the pace. Both teams almost sprinted over the first 8.5kms to Tizi-n-Tanout at 3,074m, leaving in their almost parallel wakes almost the entire field with the exception of the tenacious SAAB SALOMON (GB) and SALOMON BUFF (ES). Making judicious orienteering choices they then arrived neck and neck at the canyoning section where LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) led the way thanks to some savvy gear preparation but, though they were first past the post at assistance point 1, an acceleration on the downhill trek not only shed the other teams but also gave SALOMON SUISSE (CH) the race lead by around 1 minute.
SAAB SALOMON (GB) did well on the rope works but were a little slower over the ground and dropped back to 5th when they appeared to have problems finding the entrance to the canyon. NOKIA (FI) looked forlorn and unhappy as they finished with the 7th time. Mats ANDERSSON of CROSS SPORTSWEAR (SE) was putting on a positive face, even after making a bad orienteering error and losing 10 minutes, and was sure they could make up the lost time over the course of the race. SALOMON USA (US) had a stroke of bad luck when they lost their electronic timing device and, though they lost only a few moments in looking for it, will find it difficult to plan tactically without knowing their official position in the ranking until this evening. Adam CHASE, the team captain, was satisfied by their strong pace on the trek and felt that the time lost was due to a momentary doubt over which path to take on the ascent that led the team off the fastest route. Spirits were high as the plucky Japanese of SAMURAI SPIRIT (JP) made an excellent effort to come in at 14th place, building on their experience of altitude racing from their participation in last year’s Raid Gauloises in Kyrgyzstan.
Section A – Trek 21km
SALOMON SUISSE 3:05:47
LES ARCS-QUECHUA 3:05:57
SALOMON - BUFF 3:06:25
EAFIT.COM 3:07:02
SAAB SALOMON 3:18:37
SPIE THE NORTH FACE 3:20:18
NOKIA ADVENTURE 3:20:50
AVEYRON TERRE D’AVENTURES 3:30:56
SALOMON CARINTHIAN ADV 3:31:57
EXPLORER SPORT 2000 3:33:55
CROSS SPORTSWEAR 3:35:19
SAMURAI SPIRIT 3:35:48
MULTITUDE SAAB 3:36:17
FJS 3:36:26
ADIDASNATVENTURE 3:36:33
AXN-LA PINILLA 3:36:50
INTERSPORT 3:37:03
CÔTES D’ARMOR AVENTURES NIKE 3:37:10
NORDIC AVENTURE.COM 3:38:24
ERTIPS 3:38:47
Section B – Rope Works 10,5km
LES ARCS-QUECHUA 1:09:52
SAAB SALOMON 1:12:46
SALOMON - BUFF 1:12:55
NORDIC AVENTURE.COM 1:12:56
FJS 1:13:25
CROSS SPORTSWEAR 1:14:44
AXN-LA PINILLA 1:14:50
ERTIPS 1:16:09
NOKIA ADVENTURE 1:16:54
SPIE THE NORTH FACE 1:16:54
ADIDASNATVENTURE 1:16:59
SAMURAI SPIRIT 1:18:02
INTERSPORT 1:19:28
MULTITUDE SAAB SALOMON 1:19:35
AVEYRON TERRE D’AVENTURES 1:20:11
CÔTES D’ARMOR AVENTURES NIKE 1:22:04
EAFIT.COM 1:22:13
SALOMON CARINTHIAN ADV 1:24:55
EXPLORER SPORT 2000 1:25:28
Partial overall ranking after 2 sections
1. SALOMON SUISSE ( CH ) 4:14:55
2. LES ARCS-QUECHUA ( FR ) 4:15:49
3. SALOMON - BUFF ( ES ) 4:19:20
4. EAFIT.COM ( FR ) 4:29:15
5. SAAB SALOMON ( UK ) 4:31:23
6. SPIE THE NORTH FACE ( FR ) 4:37:12
7. NOKIA ADVENTURE ( FI ) 4:37:44
8. FJS ( SE ) 4:49:51
9. CROSS SPORTSWEAR ( SE )4:50:03
10. AVEYRON TERRE D’AVENTURES ( FR ) 4:51:07
11. NORDIC AVENTURE.COM ( FR ) 4:51:40
12. AXN-LA PINILLA ( ES ) 4:53:32
13. ADIDAS NATVENTURE 4 :53 :32
14. SAMURAI SPIRIT ( JP ) 4:53:50
15. ERTIPS ( FR ) 4:54:56
__________________
***
Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
Report 5-
SALOMON SUISSE (CH) take first place on the opening stage of the 2004 X-adventure Raid Series, finishing 19 minutes ahead of LES ARCS QUECHUA (FR) and 35 minutes ahead of NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI).
A stiff head wind greeted the canoes as the leading teams sped across the limpid but choppy waters of Lake Bin El Ouidane and, with over 20 minutes between themselves and LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR), SALOMON SUISSE (CH) could almost relax assured of their win whereas not far behind NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI), ERTIPS (FR) and SPIE THE NORTH FACE (FR) were all involved in a thrilling and exhausting paddle battle for the last spot on the podium. ERTIPS (FR) dug deep throughout the 8km section and managed to claw back 2 minutes from an original 4-minute deficit but NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) foiled one comeback while accomplishing their own. LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) took back 6 minutes from SALOMON SUISSE (CH) on the lake but in a sport where experience and stamina can always fall victim to plain bad luck, all three in moderation can often bring the right result.
Times for section I - Canoe - 8km
ERTIPS 1:05:09
LES ARCS QUECHUA 1:05:19
NOKIA ADVENTURE 1:07:26
NORDIC AVENTURE.COM 1:07:29
INTERSPORT 1:08:09
SPIE THE NORTH FACE 1:08:27
CROSS SPORTSWEAR 1:08:43
AXN-LA PINILLA 1:09:38
AVEYRON TERRES D'AVENTURES 1:09:49
REEBOK ADVENTURE 1:09:51
CLIGHT SALOMON ADVENTURE 1:10:52
VAR DEFI NATURE 1:11:12
MULTITUDE SAAB SALOMON 1:11:30
SALOMON SUISSE 1:11:54
PLANET XA 1:12:26
SAAB SALOMON 1:12:39
SALOMON BUFF 1:14:19
RAID ITALIA 1:14:57
EXPLORER SPORT 2000 1:15:20
SCOTT VAUCLUSE AVENTURE 1:15:30
etc...
Classement général final
1. SALOMON SUISSE (CH) 18:53:07
2. LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) 19:12:09
3. NOKIA ADVENTURE 19:28:30
4. ERTIPS (FR) 19:30:40
5. SPIE THE NORTH FACE (FR) 19:35:13
6. SAAB SALOMON (UK) 19:47:33
SALOMON SUISSE (CH) served notice on their closest rivals by putting in the fastest time over the race’s first 30km MTB section and building a slender 12-minute lead while EAFIT (FR) roar into 2nd place despite a flat.
The pack was lightly shuffled as the results came in for the first MTB section of the day with SALOMON SUISSE (CH) confirming their intentions of controlling the race. Their impressive time enabled them to pull slightly ahead of the field though behind them a number of teams who had underperformed during the opening trek began to jostle for more favourable positions and eased their way into the top 10. The youngsters of EAFIT (FR), some of the hottest bikers in Europe, moved up into 2nd place ahead of LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR), while, even more remarkably, NORDIC AVENTURE.COM (FR), after a disappointing show in the trek, put in the second best time on the MTB to push SAAB SALOMON (GB), uncharacteristically slow on this leg, into 6th place. More heroics from CROSS SPORTSWEAR (SE) when, moments after the start of the section, the saddle support on the bike being ridden by Natasha WESTLING snapped, condemning her to ride on the pedals all the way. A blessing in disguise perhaps as they then put in the 9th fastest time lifting the swift Swedes into 8th place. French veteran team INTERSPORT (FR), with the buoyant Karim BENRAMOUCHE at the helm, eager to recapture the glories of past endeavours, managed the 3rd best time, rocketing them into 11th and within heel-snapping distance of NOKIA (FI), looking more and more like their old selves at 10th and climbing…
Section C – MTB – 30km
NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) continued their push for the front by once again putting in the second fastest time on the final leg of the day, a massive 64km MTB section up and down a winding, sinuous track scattered with rocks and other hazards. Though ERTIPS (FR) sweep through the field with an equally stunning effort.
Things are beginning to look tight at the front of the race as SALOMON SUISSE (CH) draw on all their experience and tactical know-how to stave off an increasingly threatening pack of ravenous pursuers. They too, like so many teams on this crunch section, fell foul to lady luck’s momentary absence when a flat they repaired at 4kms out from the section finish eventually blew the wheel away and they were forced to complete the section on foot. What looked like a sterling performance, intended to give them leeway for the second day’s proceedings, diminished even further a dwindling lead as they ended the day a mere 26 minutes ahead of their nearest challengers with only the 9th fastest time for the section. Occupying second place at this point is, of course, NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI), coming back from the dead and ostensibly pushing for a win on this their first X-adventure Raid Series since 2002. LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) have shown themselves well capable of upsetting even the most complacent of font runners and could still create an upset as they hold 3rd place overall, despite a relatively slow time on this final MTB section.
SAAB SALOMON (GB) suffered even more bad luck as MTB pocket-rocket Helen JACKSON fell and smacked her elbow on a rock. The team, looking a little like the walking wounded, nevertheless managed a very respectable time on the leg and are holding onto 5th place overall, just 10 minutes off the bottom step on the podium behind arch rivals LES ARCS-QUECHUA. ERTIPS (FR) came in with the fastest section time and, benefiting from the leading team’s slow times, clawing their way into 4th. EAFIT (FR) looking magnificent as they set out, dropped behind when they hit a wall of darkness at night fall compounded by a overall drop in stamina and the ravages of earlier superb efforts.
SALOMON USA (US) had no fewer than 5 flats on the ride and dropped back to 22nd overall while the spirited Japanese of SAMURAI SPIRIT (JP) are sitting at 18th.
Ranking section E – MTB – 64km
1. ERTIPS 3:43:31
2. NOKIA ADVENTURE 3:45:11
3. INTERSPORT 3:55:33
4. NORDIC AVENTURE.COM 3:56:16
5. SPIE THE NORTH FACE 3:57:42
6. SAAB SALOMON 3:57:54
7. AXN-LA PINILLA 4:01:49
8. MULTITUDE SAAB SALOMON 4:03:32
9. SALOMON SUISSE 4:04:42
10. LES ARCS-QUECHUA 4:10:29
11. EAFIT.COM 4:18:08
12. CROSS SPORTSWEAR 4:20:25
13. SALOMON - BUFF 4:20:56
14. ADIDASNATVENTURE 4:32:17
15. SCOTT - VAUCLUSE AVE 4:38:10
Overall ranking for the first day
1. SALOMON SUISSE ( CH ) 12:50:14 1
2. NOKIA ADVENTURE ( FI ) 13:16:09 2
3. LES ARCS-QUECHUA ( FR ) 13:22:14 3
4. ERTIPS ( FR ) 13:26:07
5. SAAB SALOMON ( UK ) 13:31:29
6. NORDIC AVENTURE.COM ( FR ) 13:37:24
7. INTERSPORT ( FR ) 13:41:14
8. SALOMON - BUFF ( ES ) 13:41:30
9. SPIE THE NORTH FACE ( FR ) 13:41:51
10. EAFIT.COM ( FR ) 13:51:24
11. AXN-LA PINILLA ( ES ) 13:52:53
12. CROSS SPORTSWEAR ( SE ) 14:04:43
13.AdidasNATVENTURE ( DE ) 14:24:52
14. EXPLORER SPORT 2000 ( FR ) 14:32:40
15. FJS ( SE ) 14:38:11
__________________
***
Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) show their true character on the final trekking section, and penultimate of the day, with the fastest time over the 17kms and increase the pressure on front-runners SALOMON SUISSE (CH).
A steep, semi-sprinting climb followed by a speedy, breakneck descent, as only NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) know how, gave the fleet-footed Finns the edge over the rest of the field and enabled them to move up several places in the ranking. SALOMON SUISSE (CH) were still going strong with 3rd fastest and LES ARCS-QUECHUA held onto 2nd fastest over the section. SAAB SALOMON (GB), unexpectedly struggling with the ordinarily indefatigable Morgon DONNELLY experiencing respiratory problems, literally bit the dust when Jim DAVIES took a bad tumble injuring his rib cage and thigh. They soldiered on bravely managing 6th fastest but were beginning lose their on the race front. SAMURAI SPIRIT (JP) and SALOMON USA (US) scrapped for 20th and 21st with the valiant Japanese just edging out the Americans.
NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) continued their push for the front by once again putting in the second fastest time on the final leg of the day, a massive 64km MTB section up and down a winding, sinuous track scattered with rocks and other hazards. Though ERTIPS (FR) sweep through the field with an equally stunning effort.
Things are beginning to look tight at the front of the race as SALOMON SUISSE (CH) draw on all their experience and tactical know-how to stave off an increasingly threatening pack of ravenous pursuers. They too, like so many teams on this crunch section, fell foul to lady luck’s momentary absence when a flat they repaired at 4kms out from the section finish eventually blew the wheel away and they were forced to complete the section on foot. What looked like a sterling performance, intended to give them leeway for the second day’s proceedings, diminished even further a dwindling lead as they ended the day a mere 26 minutes ahead of their nearest challengers with only the 9th fastest time for the section. Occupying second place at this point is, of course, NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI), coming back from the dead and ostensibly pushing for a win on this their first X-adventure Raid Series since 2002. LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) have shown themselves well capable of upsetting even the most complacent of font runners and could still create an upset as they hold 3rd place overall, despite a relatively slow time on this final MTB section.
SAAB SALOMON (GB) suffered even more bad luck as MTB pocket-rocket Helen JACKSON fell and smacked her elbow on a rock. The team, looking a little like the walking wounded, nevertheless managed a very respectable time on the leg and are holding onto 5th place overall, just 10 minutes off the bottom step on the podium behind arch rivals LES ARCS-QUECHUA. ERTIPS (FR) came in with the fastest section time and, benefiting from the leading team’s slow times, clawing their way into 4th. EAFIT (FR) looking magnificent as they set out, dropped behind when they hit a wall of darkness at night fall compounded by a overall drop in stamina and the ravages of earlier superb efforts.
SALOMON USA (US) had no fewer than 5 flats on the ride and dropped back to 22nd overall while the spirited Japanese of SAMURAI SPIRIT (JP) are sitting at 18th.
Ranking section E – MTB – 64km
1. ERTIPS 3:43:31
2. NOKIA ADVENTURE 3:45:11
3. INTERSPORT 3:55:33
4. NORDIC AVENTURE.COM 3:56:16
5. SPIE THE NORTH FACE 3:57:42
6. SAAB SALOMON 3:57:54
7. AXN-LA PINILLA 4:01:49
8. MULTITUDE SAAB SALOMON 4:03:32
9. SALOMON SUISSE 4:04:42
10. LES ARCS-QUECHUA 4:10:29
11. EAFIT.COM 4:18:08
12. CROSS SPORTSWEAR 4:20:25
13. SALOMON - BUFF 4:20:56
14. ADIDASNATVENTURE 4:32:17
15. SCOTT - VAUCLUSE AVE 4:38:10
Overall ranking for the first day
1. SALOMON SUISSE ( CH ) 12:50:14 1
2. NOKIA ADVENTURE ( FI ) 13:16:09 2
3. LES ARCS-QUECHUA ( FR ) 13:22:14 3
4. ERTIPS ( FR ) 13:26:07
5. SAAB SALOMON ( UK ) 13:31:29
6. NORDIC AVENTURE.COM ( FR ) 13:37:24
7. INTERSPORT ( FR ) 13:41:14
8. SALOMON - BUFF ( ES ) 13:41:30
9. SPIE THE NORTH FACE ( FR ) 13:41:51
10. EAFIT.COM ( FR ) 13:51:24
11. AXN-LA PINILLA ( ES ) 13:52:53
12. CROSS SPORTSWEAR ( SE ) 14:04:43
13.AdidasNATVENTURE ( DE ) 14:24:52
14. EXPLORER SPORT 2000 ( FR ) 14:32:40
15. FJS ( SE ) 14:38:11
After their astonishing efforts on the MTB section the night before, ERTIPS (FR) continued to press the leaders with another solid performance on the opening trek of the day around the Cathedral Rock, spiced up by a 60m abseil.
Thanks to some intelligent route selection that both NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) and LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) failed to notice, ERTIPS (FR) were able to catch the two teams ahead and eventually overtake them, even making time on outright leaders SALOMON SUISSE (CH). And things might have been even better for these renowned paddlers had not the first canoeing section of the day been cancelled for safety reasons. The tension began to mount with ERTIPS (FR), LES ARCS QUECHUA (FR) and NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) only separated by 60 seconds. On the all important final trek, NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) were forced to use a mix team due to injury and LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) sent their all male line-up through choice while ERTIPS opted to rest DUMOULIN for the final canoeing. Despite being slower on the penultimate trekking section than LES ARCS-QUECHUA (CH), SALOMON SUISSE (CH) still managed to pull away from their closest rivals and it was becoming clear that they would finally achieve their first stage victory on the X-adventure Raid Series since Kirkwood in 2002.
Section F – Trek + rope works – 12km
SPIE THE NORTH FACE 1:55:21
ERTIPS 1:57:54
LES ARCS-QUECHUA 2:02:07
INTERSPORT 2:03:49
AVEYRON TERRE D’AVENTURES 2:04:03
SALOMON SUISSE 2:05:39
NORDIC AVENTURE.COM 2:06:43
EXPLORER SPORT 2000 2:07:56
NOKIA ADVENTURE 2:08:37
CROSS SPORTSWEAR 2:12:04
ADIDASNATVENTURE 2:13:54
EAFIT.COM 2:15:10
SAAB SALOMON 2:17:49
SALOMON CARINTHIAN ADV 2:19:04
SANGLAS I BOLENAS - STAR BIKE 2:19:12
Overall after section F
SALOMON SUISSE ( CH ) 14:55:53
ERTIPS ( FR )15:24:01
LES ARCS-QUECHUA ( FR ) 15:24:21
NOKIA ADVENTURE ( FI ) 15:24:46
SPIE THE NORTH FACE ( FR ) 15:37:12
NORDIC AVENTURE.COM ( FR ) 15:44:07
INTERSPORT ( FR ) 15:45:03
SAAB SALOMON ( UK ) 15:49:18
SALOMON - BUFF ( ES ) 16:02:57
EAFIT.COM ( FR ) 16:06:34
__________________
***
Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
Report 11 - Finish of the first race in the series
SALOMON SUISSE (CH) take first place on the opening stage of the 2004 X-adventure Raid Series, finishing 19 minutes ahead of LES ARCS QUECHUA (FR) and 35 minutes ahead of NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI).
A stiff head wind greeted the canoes as the leading teams sped across the limpid but choppy waters of Lake Bin El Ouidane and, with over 20 minutes between themselves and LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR), SALOMON SUISSE (CH) could almost relax assured of their win whereas not far behind NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI), ERTIPS (FR) and SPIE THE NORTH FACE (FR) were all involved in a thrilling and exhausting paddle battle for the last spot on the podium. ERTIPS (FR) dug deep throughout the 8km section and managed to claw back 2 minutes from an original 4-minute deficit but NOKIA ADVENTURE (FI) foiled one comeback while accomplishing their own. LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) took back 6 minutes from SALOMON SUISSE (CH) on the lake but in a sport where experience and stamina can always fall victim to plain bad luck, all three in moderation can often bring the right result.
Times for section I - Canoe - 8km
ERTIPS 1:05:09
LES ARCS QUECHUA 1:05:19
NOKIA ADVENTURE 1:07:26
NORDIC AVENTURE.COM 1:07:29
INTERSPORT 1:08:09
SPIE THE NORTH FACE 1:08:27
CROSS SPORTSWEAR 1:08:43
AXN-LA PINILLA 1:09:38
AVEYRON TERRES D'AVENTURES 1:09:49
REEBOK ADVENTURE 1:09:51
CLIGHT SALOMON ADVENTURE 1:10:52
VAR DEFI NATURE 1:11:12
MULTITUDE SAAB SALOMON 1:11:30
SALOMON SUISSE 1:11:54
PLANET XA 1:12:26
SAAB SALOMON 1:12:39
SALOMON BUFF 1:14:19
RAID ITALIA 1:14:57
EXPLORER SPORT 2000 1:15:20
SCOTT VAUCLUSE AVENTURE 1:15:30
etc...
Classement général final
1. SALOMON SUISSE (CH) 18:53:07
2. LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FR) 19:12:09
3. NOKIA ADVENTURE 19:28:30
4. ERTIPS (FR) 19:30:40
5. SPIE THE NORTH FACE (FR) 19:35:13
6. SAAB SALOMON (UK) 19:47:33
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Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
192km is what in miles? Do I multiply by 2.2 or something like that? If so, thats a pretty long haul! And I am worried about finishing a little 12 hour race!
It's 119 miles JP. Not much farther than the advanced race in the OC. The thing is they did it in less than 19 hours. Team Traveler took over 23 hours and beat the second place team by almost 4 hours.
To the teams in this race it is considered a sprint.
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Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
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