Canadian National Adventure Racing Championships
Five Star Support
Doug Doyle / 31.05.2006
Team #103 Runningfree.ca arrived at CP7/TA2 at 1958hrs and were greeted by CP staff Andre Hudon, Christopher Vallier and Kate Stanclik (EMS)to record their time after paddling from CP3/TA1. Also on hand and directing them to a large family size tent were Bob McGrath and Teresa, \"T\" McGrath who are providing support for Team Runningfree.ca. Also helping is injured team mate Denise Respolie who was collecting the teams paddling gear and ushering them into a bug free tent.
The tent is laid out with neat precision: comfortable camp chairs in each corner of the tent, a cooler with cold drinks and food placed in the middle of the tent and the racers personal gear placed next to their chair. It is a system the support crew have used before this race and throughout the Canadian Adventure Racing Championships. They have trained their racers to adhere to the system to maximize support efficiency and get them on their way out of the transition area as quickly as possible. There appears to be a fine line between making the teams\' support area too comfortable which could delay the racers turn around time as the natural inclination would be to linger in transition.
The team has arrived in great spirits and are encouraging their injured team mate to join them after the upcoming 50km bike ride to CP8/TA3 for the next discipline of trekking 19km. While this is taking place, Bob is asking each racer what they want and attends to their requests. Hot food was put out (burgers and fries) for them and as the racers dig into welcome high caloric fatty foods, Teresa is organizing their bike gear required.
It is a fluid, dynamic interaction between racers and their support crew. This is Bobs\' first time as support crew having raced numererous times in the past and know he is on the other side of the team. \"It\'s harder than I imagined...to get everyone in and out smoothly, you have to keep the set up the same. They know where the food is they have access to gear and we help out as best and as fast as we can.\"
Anticipation and being pro-active is essential - I watched as Bob left the tent and ran to the teams\' bikes. He switched on the rear red lights of each team members bike, and checked tire pressures. He had previously worked on the bikes cleaning the drive trains and ensuring they were working well. The attention to detail says time.
Meanwhile Teresa continues to assist the racers and running errands and reminding them they have to be out of transition at 8:30pm or else they will not be allowed to continue. She continues to let them know the amount of time left in transition. Teresa has more experience as a support having done this on her own last year. She is a organized person and her invaluable support skills are much appreciated by her team mates. Last year, as a demonstration of appreciation for her efforts, she was given a spa treatment as a gift.
Teresa praised the race staff for providing good communication to support crews and this includes clear instructions on how to travel to each transition area. It is a support crews\' worst nightmare to be lost and arrive after their team has arrived at transition.
Runningfree.ca\'s support crew is part of the team and this is evident on how adventure racers Mark, Jan and John interact with them. A poor support crew can hinder a teams progress and could mean the difference of finishing a race, let alone podium. In Runningfree.ca\'s case,their support crew are second to none. See All Event Posts
