Patagonia Expedition Race
La Clusaz Adventure Raid are the Winners!
Jacqueline Windh / 21.02.2005
La Clusaz arrived here at Cabo San Isidro at 12:33 p.m. Captain Jérome Daille lit a flare as they landed at the beach. Jérome, and companions Frédéric Charles and Laurent and Cathy Ardito shared an emotional embrace, with both tears and smiles. Laurent gave a slow grin, saying “The most difficult race in the world ...�La Clusaz have run a near perfect race. They are the only team that has completed every section of the race. Jérome has clearly been a strong component on the team, with his extensive canoeing and kayaking experience and also being the team’s navigator. Many of the teams have mentioned the difficulty on navigation, yet La Clusaz has stayed right on track.
Jérome says that it the going was tough. “I was the only one who was calm. The others were more worried and I had to keep them calm. But we worked very well together, there never were any problems�.
For him, the entire route was filled with wonders. “I appreciate every animal, every stone, every rock. I look at the rocks and think about them. I believe that you have to be with Nature, in terrain like this you cannot fight nature. Many racers are more concerned about the sport of racing, and for them the nature is just the medium that they must pass through, conquer. But I like to travel with nature. And that keeps you calm.�
Husband and wife racers Laurent and Cathy shared a very warm embrace. “She is very strong, my wife,� said Laurent. “Yesterday, I had a very bad day ...�
Jérome, Frédéric, Laurent and Cathy are now on their way to Isla Carlos III, along with first finishers Salomon Russia members Artem, Andrey, Sascha and Mischa, for a visit to Whalesound’s humpback whale research station (visit www.whalesound.com). They will all return to Punta Arenas by boat on Tuesday the 22nd for the prize ceremony.
Jérome spoke a lot about the authenticity of the race, the realities of navigating and being unsupported and so far from any human presence. “This is the race that I have been looking for�.
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