La Gesta

The Stage is set for 200kms of World Class Adventure Racing at La Gesta

Alen Pujol / 04.02.2023

The Stage is set for 200kms of World Class Adventure Racing at La Gesta

Nineteen teams from seven countries will fight for the honour of being called the South American Adventure Racing Champions this weekend, and the winners will claim a free entry to this year's World Championship in South Africa.

Today was registration day and after checking in there was a short briefing where a member of the World Wildlife Fund talked about the Atlantic Forest and some of the animals in the area and later the ceremony closed with a local artist playing native harp music.

There was also time for interviews.

Urtzi Iglesias from the Vidaraid team said, "It’s important to race to be the best in South America, not just for a free spot at World Champs."

Adventure legend Ruben Manduré from Uruguay referred to the muddy conditions and the great level of the athletes here, while  Camila Nicolau of Team Brazil Multisport said, "It' s no pressure to be ranked #1 in the continent." She did confess that her team prefers longer races, but that is not secret, and they still perform at the highest level over shorter distances.

Local champions Ulala were very spirited and Alice Meza said this is their first Race after Expedicion Guaraní and they expect a "fast and explosive race."

Members of the Chilean team, Menetue Ejército, and the Ecuadorians in team Cuatro Vientos, talked about the responsibility of representing their country.

Brazilian Pedro Lavinas mentioned the huge AR community in Brazil.   There race is on the border with Brazil and there are 4 very strong Brazilian teams racing.

Last year's Championship Race Director Nelson Yañez of Chile joked about the fact that now is time "to taste the Race Director’s own medicine"!

Stakes are higher than ever in a race that will start with a 700m sprint to the kayaks to begin a 25kms paddling stage in the Paraná river, followed by a quick 16km ride to a local dam, where ropes, a short canyoning section and swimming await.

These are just a few stages of the 7 in over 20hs of adventure about to unfold in Eastern Paraguay.