Patagonia Expedition Race
Patagonia’s winter paddling paradise – finally revealed!
Jacqueline Windh / 23.06.2006
Today’s start was even before sunrise, at 8:30 am. The sky was indigo, and the glaciers hanging above us gleamed brilliantly even though the sun was still well below the horizon, as the racers lined up their kayaks at the water’s edge.Halfway into the 35 km paddle, the sun finally rise high enough about the mountains to the north of us to bathe the sound in golden light. By then, GNC and AL AIRE LIBRE/URUGUAY had a significant lead on the rest, with GNC a minute or two ahead. GNC maintained this lead until 3 km from the finish, at Perales Ranch. Then Ruben and Veronica made their move, edging up to Victor and Diego and drafting for a while, before pushing ahead. But GNC were not ready to give up the advantage they had maintained. AL AIRE LIBRE gained about 50 m on them, but could not maintain that separation. Only hundred of metres before the finish, GNC caught up, again drafting for a few moments, before making the final push, arriving just 13 seconds before AL AIRE LIBRE.
The other teams all made it in within the next 50 minutes or so.
AL AIRE LIBRE was leading as of last night by about two and a half minutes, so the 13 seconds the lost today do ont change the ranking.
The trip down the fiord was spectacular – I followed along (changing boats three times). The early morning light was simply stunning on the glaciers and then, once the sun had risen high enough, the entire landscape was just indescribable – the water like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped peaks that surrounded us. This is the Patagonian winter I had been promised. Apparently the wind of the last few days is extremely unusual, and today’s weather is typical of winter here. (The locals keep telling me that winter is actually the best season for kayaking down here).
We are here at Perales Ranch for just a couple of hours – racers are showering and we will have lunch here, before making the long trip by bus and ferry to the island of Tierra del Fuego, for three more days of racing. I will continue to upload photos and reports when I can... but definitely check back once the race is over, because I will put up a lot of photos once we return to civilization.
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