6th Annual Arctic Team Challenge
Arctic Team Challenge Race
Jesper Kunuk Egede / 22.07.2006
Stage 1: Canoe and climbing�Good Luck, everybody!�
You’d think Inspector Closeau was around, mais non, it’s Pierre-Etienne Leonard of WCup Issy les Moulineaux who shouts out with his great French accent. This kind of team spirit that actually transcends the usual competitive barriers between teams is very emblematic of Arctic Team Challenge. Here even the closest competitors are considered friends. Obviously, the second the cannon goes of to signal the start of Arctic Team Challenge, it’s kill or get killed, but right now, just before start, there’s still room for solicitude. And if this year will resemble the previous five years, kindness will prevail as much as competitiveness. But enough of this sentimental crap. We’ll leave the boo-hooing to the sob sisters.
Today’s race started in the greatest of weather. Even if it’s been sunny for a few days, today is much warmer than the previous two and the teams were all psyched about today’s stage where they have to canoe to the foot of Polheim’s Mountain, climb the 1,000 m high mountain and canoe back to Tasiilaq. It’s a picnic.
A couple of hundred people had gathered at race start and many ran along with the teams from the starting point to the harbour to see the teams sail off. The bloodthirsty crowd had hoped for at least one team to tip over and fall into the icecold water, mais non, all teams got off to a great start.
This year there is a general feeling that we have some ace teams around. That makes it a lot more exciting for the runners but obviously also for the spectators.
TODAY’S UNOFFICIAL RANKING (it has yet to be confirmed by the judges)
(Due to wind conditions, the last five teams had to padle a longer route. This has been adjusted in the final times).
1. eastgreenland.com 02:55:26
2. PharmaNord 03:12:25
3. WCup Issy les Moulineaux 03:29:45
4. Neriusaaq/Thomas Kristensen 03:40:18
5. Intersport Iceland 04:08:13
6. Arctic Ladies 04:28:37
7. Feed the Machine 05:24:03
8. Pihl A/S 07:36:48
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