Patagonia Expedition Race

---

Profile: Team QUETRO

Jacqueline Windh / 30.06.2006

A few months ago, teenagers Benjamín Cáceres and Joaquín Vásquez asked PER Race Director Stjepan Pavicic if he would bend the rules, and allow “minors� to compete in the first winter edition of Patagonia Expedition Race. Although they were told “No�, a few months later when they won a kayak race – and the prize was free entry to PER – the organizers reviewed the situation and made an exception.

The “niños� ran a GREAT race, competing in a race that experienced racer Juan Carlos Valdez of winning team ROCKFORD called “without any room for doubt, surpassing all others, a race that is truly extreme�. But not only did they compete, they finished really well, placing well in the middle of the pack in every segment and finishing sixth overall. Importantly, they always travelled well and safely, choosing appropriate gear and making wise decisions with respect to this tough environment. Their level of accomplishment – their level of physical conditioning as well as their wise judgement – belies their young age. This is just incredible for a pair of teenagers.

Their team QUETRO is named after a type of duck that is indigenous to Patagonia. The boys, both from Punta Arenas, have competed in various one-day races around here (along with third team-mate Carolina Wilson), and tell me that “we train a lot�. They are still looking for a fourth person to round out their team.

Keep an eye on these kids – I think we will be seeing a lot more of them in the years to come!
See All Event Posts