Land Rover G4 Challenge International Selection
Talking Teamwork - Talking Turkey
02.02.2006
One for all and all for one was the Three Muskateers\' famous call, signifying unity in adversity. The same concept of bonding through ups and downs is the code for most of the 54 international adventurers, three from each of 18 different nations, vying for the chance to represent their country in the Challenge itself. Only one person from each country will leave the International Selections week in Eastnor, England on Friday with the prize of being able to represent their nation on the Land Rover G4 Challenge when it starts from Bangkok, Thailand.
The best the other two finalists can hope for is a position as reserve. Yet, rather than try and undermine each other’s chances, many of the trios have decided to join under their common flag and push each other towards selection.
“We all know there is just one place and that only one of us will this chance to compete for our country,� says Turkish competitor Tolga Senefe, a businessman and adventure racer from Istanbul. “But fighting amongst ourselves is not good. We have enough of a battle in such a strong arena, support is important.�
Tolga’s fellow Turks are Sertac Boztepe, an event manager and Burcu Aslanagi, one of many women in the running for the Land Rover G4 Challenge.Turkey has a strong history in Land Rover’s adventure competitions, winning Camel Trophy previously and showing strongly in the first Challenge three years ago.
“We want Turkey to win the Challenge this year and so the best competitor must go through from here,� says Sertac. “This is no place for selfishness. If I saw that Burcu or Tolga had dropped their map, I would not pretend I had not seen it. I would pick it up. The spirit of this event is as important as winning.�
Sadly for the Turkish team, Aslanagi had to leave the event on Thursday morning for a precautionary trip to hospital after a fall in yesterday’s mountain biking stage. She injured her wrist and ribs and the medics thought it best to get X-rays.
French competitor Emmanuelle Zanders, who has been very strong is also suffering from a finger injury, after crushing her hand while raft building in the dark on Thursday morning. See All Event Posts
