Patagonia Expedition Race
The Final Rankings
Jacqueline Windh / 23.02.2005
Of eleven teams who set out from Cerro Guido on February 12th, embarking on the toughest expedition race in the world, five made it to the finish line. Four of those are within the official ranking. Only the winning team, La Clusaz Raid Aventure, completed every section of the 662 km course.Salomon Russia (Captain Artem Rostovtsev, Andrey Ivanov, Mikhail (Mischa) Pershin, Alexandra (Sascha) Kontorina) were the first to arrive at the finish line, February 19 (Day 7) at 2:21 p.m. Although they were officially disqualified from the race on the second day, for breaking kayaking security regulations that led to a midnight rescue, the Russians continued racing, and taking their competition with the lead team La Clusaz very seriously.
La Clusaz (Captain Jérome Daille, Frédéric Charles, Cathy and Laurent Ardito) arrived at the finish line at Cabo San Isidro the following day, at 12:33 p.m. on the 20th (Day 8). They and the Russians had arrived within minutes of one another at the various PCs for the first 6 days of the race.
The French were not concerned that the Russians overtook them during the final 96 km trekking section, knowing that they were well ahead of all of the officially ranked teams – they slowed down, taking time to sleep at night, secure in their lead.
La Clusaz and Salomon Russia both left that evening for a stay at a humpback whale research station on Carlos Tercero Island, courtesy of Whalesound.
Later that same day, the North Americans arrived:
Canada’s Kings Own Calgary Regiment (Captain Tom Zidek, Devon Smibert, Bonnie Seaborg, Mike Kotuk) paddled in at 6:18 p.m. (on the 20th), taking official second place.
Team Fukawi from USA (Captain Colleen Ihnken, Rob Harsh, Scott Swaney, Jeremy Rodgers) followed them at 7:28 p.m. See All Event Posts
