Raid Ukatak
The Race Where the Winners Don’t Finish First
Leslie Quinton / 24.01.2003
Thursday, January 23 - 20:00Organisers, disqualified racers, volunteers and local residents are beginning to assemble at the bottom of Mont Grands Fonds. But the first teams expected to cross the line will not be the winners of the third annual Ukatak.
Teams 5, 6 and 8 were brought ahead after being pulled out at CP 5 due to the weather and the missing team on Tuesday. By leaving CP10 yesterday only hours after the lead team they were able to maintain a steady pace, benefiting from their enforced rest. And because they skipped the extreme section, the teams are expected to arrive by dogsled across the finish line at least six hours before the first qualifying team.
The race has ended up dividing into three clear categories, other than the unranked teams (two of which are still in the race): those who followed the long and extreme course, those who followed the long course but not the extreme portion, and those who followed the short course, with no extreme portion. There are three teams in the last category, and two apiece in the others.
Teams were delighted today by the clear skies and beautiful weather. “It feels like summer compared to the last couple of days,� said Benoit Letourneau of Ad Opt Technologies-Le Yeti-Novadry. Currently in third place, the team had a great time on their ski from CP 15 to CP 20 (skipping the extreme section, feeling their position was secured). The leisurely cross-country trip, mainly along a winding frozen river, was marred only when the towline attached to Olivia Durocher snapped and recoiled back, hitting her in the cheek and eye. After inspection from the nurse on-site, the injury was declared non-serious and Team 2 slid along the zipline over the spectacular frozen waterfalls near the ZEC (zone d’exploitation contrôlé) de la Rivère before getting on their bikes in a race to the last two checkpoints.
A half hour later, Team Passion (team 14) arrived, no longer in the running but thoroughly enjoying the perfect winter conditions and incredible countryside of the Petit Saguenay region. Team member Florent Bouguin admitted that this was only his second winter in Quebec, but last year did not prepare him for this winter. “Everyone told me . that I hadn’t experienced a real winter yet. I guess I have now.� Bouguin grinned. “But I’m happy, since I want to go to the North Pole eventually, and I can’t imagine better preparation.�
[Shortly afterwards the all female team ChiroTag.com were the first across the line, followed by Team Eider VT.]See All Event Posts
