Patagonia Expedition Race

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La Clusaz Show Their Experience

Jacqueline Windh / 13.02.2005

The professionalism and broad range of experience of La Clusaz Raid Aventure, the only team that reached PC43 under their own power, has served them well. The entire team consists of a pool of members that formed in the year 2000. They now have 12 members to draw from, and choose them according to the type of race and the experienced required.

After reading about the Patagonia Expedition Race, the group realized that the long and exposed sea-kayak sections would be a deciding factor on the race outcome. So they knew that Jerome Daille – long-time member of the French national canoeing team (from 1985-1998), three-time world champion in single slalom canoeing, and French champion just last-year – would be a key member.

Although Jerome says his experience in a sea-kayak is less that in river canoes, many of his river skills serve him well on the ocean: from being comfortable in turbulent waters, to rapid decision-making in an environment where the consequences are immediate. On top of this, Jerome is also a sailor, and very well acquainted with rough sea conditions.

Jérome is captain of the team for this race. They are a mature team. Their youngest members are 40 years old, and their accumulated experience shows through. For races that truly are expeditions, simple speed and strength are not enough. In Patagonia Expedition Race, six of the eight sections are more than 70 km in length – each one an expedition in itself. For this type of race, it is crucial that each team incorporates true experts in each of the disciplines involved.

With Jérome in charge of the kayak segments, La Clusaz also has Laurent Ardito in handling the cycling segments. And all four members, Cathy Ardito, Frédéric Charles as well as Laurent and Jérome are well experienced in trekking and mountaineering as well.

Experience aside, all four members are physically strong. They positioned themselves well, right at the front of the start line, and were first to arrive at PC1 (40 km mountain bike) at 6:18, one minute before Salomon Russia.See All Event Posts