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Clash of Continents

Rob / 21.05.2004

The countdown for the next stage of the X-adventure series is on and teams are preparing for what’s sure to be one of the most hotly contested races of the year – the U.S. stage on June 12/13th.

Many of the top European teams travel over to meet the top U.S. teams, and this year there is added incentive. With only 5 places available to teams from North and South America in the Raid World Championships in Argentina the pressure will be on team from both continents to grab as many qualifying points as they can.

The race will take place in Northeast USA in Bend, Oregon a region known for its volcanic activity – so a suitable place for adventure racing’s annual ‘clash of continents’. The Raid series website describes it as “ … a location where the grumble and shudder of slumbering volcanoes will constitute the quintessential counterpoint to the adrenaline driven struggle between the best mixed teams ever to be assembled in this particular event.” They mean it’s going to be a great race!

At least 21 teams carrying the USA flag will be on the start line, though some have a mix of top international athletes in their squads. The recently formed Golite-Timberland will be out to make their mark. They are led Billy Mattison, who was on the winning team at Eco-Challenge New Zealand with team mate Issac Wilson, and they are joined by Monique Merrill and Aarron Prince, a Kiwi who was on a winning Southern Traverse team at the age of 17.

Raid Gauloises champions Montrail-Revo, will be there too. They are another team with racers from both sides of the world, but may have an inside edge as team member Justin Wadsworth lives in Bend. Last year’s North American stage victors Nike ACG/Balance Bar will be back again and will still be the team everyone has to beat.

Any team with Robyn Benincasa in will be in reckoning too, and she is racing under Kiwi colours in Team Merrel/Zanfel Adventure alongside Neil Jones, Jeff Mitchell and Chris Morissey. They’ll be aiming to secure one of only 3 Asia/Oceania places for Argentina.

From Europe they will be up against the impressive stage one winners in Morocco, Salomon Suisse, last year’s series champions Les Arcs Quechua and the flying Finns of Nokia Adventure. The winners of last years series final, Saab Salomon of the UK will out to improve on their 6th place in Morocco as well. It really is going to be an “adrenaline driven struggle”.