Patagonia Expedition Race
The Winners Will Take a Week
Jacqueline Windh / 08.02.2005
This year’s race is 130 km longer than last year’s, running over 650 km. Opening ceremonies are the evening of Wednesday February 9th. All teams will have to pass tests demonstrating their skills with the rope-work and in sea-kayaking on the 10th. They will travel to Torres del Paine on the 11th, and the race starts Saturday February 12th at 4:00 a.m.The winning teams could arrive at the finish line in seven, or possibly even six days, provided that there are no significant delays resulting from the weather. The majority of the teams will likely require eight or nine days, and in all they have up to ten days, until the 21st of February, to finish.
The 650 km course is divided into only 8 sections of: trekking (some with cords), mountain-biking, and sea-kayaking. This means that, on average, each section wil be over 80 km in length. Some will no doubt be significantly longer! This puts many other factors into play besides mere physical strength, and the winning teams will no doubt have to be strong in terms of:
Navigation, both on land and sea, to choose the best and shortest route, and especially not to make any mistakes!
Mental and emotional strength when truly in the wilderness, far from human presence or logistical support. Teams may travel up to 48 hours or even more without passing a check-point! This mental factor last year affected the European teams in particular, who are not as accustomed to being SO far away from any sign of civilisation, and it definitely gave the winning New Zealand team an advantage
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