Patagonia Expedition Race

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Wind on the Water Holds the Chasing Teams

Jacqueline Windh / 21.02.2005

February 16th Midday: The trekking proved to be a tough challenge for all teams.

Yesterday, La Clusaz and the Salomon Russia arrived within minutes of one another to PC5, just before 6:00 p.m. Globalstar made it to the PC at 11:33 p.m. At that point, we had had no information about the whereabouts of any of the other teams, and the PC was to close at 8:00 a.m.

At some point in the wee hours, the Canadians King’s Own and Americans Fukawi arrived. From PC5 it is 40 km by bike to Rio Verde, where they must cross by ferry to Riesco Island. The first ferry was leaving at 6:00 a.m.

The two teams passed through here around 6:30, with time to have a bite to eat and have blisters, rashes and ligaments attended to before the next ferry at 8:30.

While they were here, we heard that two teams had made it to PC5 minutes before 8:00, Allier Adventure (France) and Menetue-Optimum Nutrition (Chile/Spain). Around 9:00 a.m., two teams phoned in from the field within ten minutes of one another, both to say that they were safe and sound and would make it to the PC, but would not continue in the race.

The checkpoint was kept open for a few more hours (due to the earlier delay at PC3) and some hours later Le Groupe (Argentina/Spain) showed up – the last team that we had no information on.

Globalstar (Spain/Argentina) passed through here about 9:30 a.m. and caught the 10:00 a.m. ferry – they are all in good spirits.

So all are safe and accounted for. I am heading to PC6 now to see what it is up with the paddling – a strong wind has come up in the last half-hour. I think La Clusaz could be on the water, or possibly even have completed the section now, but we have no firm information.

With this wind, I think that it is unlikely that the three teams now cycling from here to PC6 (Canadians and Americans in front, and Globalstar an hour and a half behind them) will be able to paddle today. The 70 km ride from here to PC6 will be tough enough for them, biking into the wind blown salt spray along the coast.See All Event Posts