This from the CheckpointZero site:
CheckpointZero
Tragedy at Primal Quest
Tragedy visited the 2004 Subaru Primal Quest yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. While on the trekking/orienteering section, Australian team AROC's Nigel Aylott died after being hit by a sizeable boulder, which tumbled from above.
AROC had been in the lead but on this section were with Montrail who had caught up. Earlier in the day these teams had ascended the steep gully where the incident would later occur. They had decided to go back down the same way later in the afternoon. The large boulder glanced past Montrail's John Jacoby, injuring his lower left leg and hit Nigel on its downhill journey. It seems that Nigel was hit on his head - an immediately lethal injury.
The teams radioed through to race headquarters and 2 choppers were immediately dispatched to pull them off the mountain. This was late afternoon so they were working against the approach of dark. John Jacoby was immediately flown to hospital yesterday afternoon where his left lower leg was treated. I saw him earlier this morning and aside from having his left ankle strapped and being unable to walk on it, he appears in good health.
Throughout the night, teams who had left CP20 (which was later to be TA6 at Rockport on the Skagit River) - this included Nike ACG, Seagate, Merrell and Holofibre - were turned back at their next CP's to return to the transition. Those teams further back were held at CP20/TA6 when they arrived and those even further back were allowed to progress to their next transition from which they were directed to Rockport.
Nigel's brother and subsequently his other family were contacted late last night before any announcements were made to the media, who had descended on the transition area.
As I'm sure you can imagine, the whole event is under a shadow of gloom. In AR, even if you did not personally know Nigel, his passing is felt by all. As a racer, he is member of our intimate community... our family. Although the potential for injury - of any magnitude - is acknowledged in this and many other outdoor sports, an untimely passing is tragic.
This morning at 11h00 a very emotional race director Dan Barger made a brief announcement and gave Nigel's AROC team members a moment to speak to everyone. Nigel's team spoke for a while about him and his unbelievable energy and passion for adventure racing. Even though their sentiments echo a popular cliche, Nigel did indeed die doing something he just so absolutely loved. This year he had the opportunity to train full time and PQ had long been a focus. At the time when the accident occured, Nigel and his team had been leading PQ since the start and were having the most incredible race. This team recalled how earlier they had wanted to have a quick nap and that they had agreed on a few minutes. Nigel was raring to go and instead of dozing, he spent the 7-minutes pacing up and down, eager to continue.
Following this very emotional period, everyone in the transition took part in a procession down to the Skagit River where we threw roses into the water.
This afternoon the top 10 teams were to meet to discuss the implications for the event and logistics necessary for when the race continues. There will be an announcement at 6pm by Dan Barger in this regard. Nigel's family and team have expressively requested that the race continue afterall, this is the sport to which Nigel committed his life - a consuming passion.
I've just heard - from a news report to television - that the race is expected to re-start at midnight tonight. I'll be going back through shortly.
I spoke briefly to Martin Dreyer and Chad Ulansky (Team Holofibre) while in the procession to find out whether they would continue. They said that they would see what the other teams were going to do but bearing in mind Nigel's family's wishes that the race continue, they would probably do so. The rest of the race will be a tribute to Nigel, his life, his ability and his love of this sport.
This is a very sad time over here and race organisation has dealt with the situation with sensitivity, dignity and with respect towards Nigel's family, his team and the other competitors. Their fast reaction to the incident was impressive. Their response to this emergency was immediate.
The rest of the event will be held in tribute to Nigel, an awesome racer who will be sadly missed by his family, friends, teammates and the adventure racing fraternity.
by Lisa de Speville
Lisa is an avid adventure racer, freelance journalist and the proud mother of
www.ar.co.za, the premier adventure racing website serving the thriving AR comunity on the continent of Africa.
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