ARWS Estoril Portugal XPD Unveils its Mysteries

Frederico Tiago – Cláudio Barreto / 27.08.2007

100 days before XPD Portugal the organizers have announced their clinics and conference programs and disclosed important aspects of the race format.

One of the most significant aspects of this year\'s race is the historic linkage between the land and the race course. All the race stages will address different historical sceneries ranging from the Jurassic to the Romantic period. So in a matter of few kilometers one can easily travel in time, from Dinosaurs footsteps, to Templar Castles into bays and beaches used in the Discovery Ages.

All in one very strategic and demanding race that has already attracted the interest of 40 international teams from 13 countries, with the latest addition of two of the best Czech teams.

The race course will be divided into five different stages, each stage involving at least two sections with different disciplines in a total of 12: climbing, coasteering, mtb, kayaking, orienteering, inline skating, ropes, snorkeling, caving, swimming, trekking and trikke racing. The expected race time will be around 80 hours for the 470 kms of the full course. An example of last year\'s race territory, maps and team strategies can be found in Estoril XPD Web Site and seen with Google Earth Free Software.

The race is still open for normal registration until the limit of 60 teams is reached. According to the event organizer, Alexandre Silva, the twenty spots left should soon be filled with teams from Central and Northern Europe in search of a sunny race in winter.