The 2007 Adventure Race World Championship

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Wind and water – the battle continues

Gary Vallance / 27.05.2007

After a morning of battling strong winds at sea, the paddling teams may have been hoping for respite on Loch Morar. Forming a cleft between steep mountains to the north and south, the surrounding geography conspires to make this the deepest body of inland water in Europe, and fabled home to the Loch Ness Monster‘s sister, Morag.

Not that the teams would have time to worry any underwater goings-on, as the northerly gusts continued to play havoc with their anticipated pace, and forced yet another stern test of boats and skills. After all the speculation at kit check, which saw racers cooing over the myriad of sleek competition boats, the first two teams onto the loch were New Zealanders OrionHealth.com in their homegrown Insomnia Kayaks; and Balance Vector in their hired Necky’s.

What should have been a straightforward blast up a calm loch became a tactical battle, as the wind whistled down from the slopes and across the water, altering direction and strength with every kilometre gained. Travelling directly across wind across the black water, teams were constantly fighting to hold their course, and although the progress of the early teams suggested they were making light work of it, it was a battle all the way.

No respite

Immediately onto the loch the teams’ view of their present task was framed by the narrow passages between a cluster of small granite islands. Most found themselves blown far to the south before adjusted their course between them, to glide over through the welcome calm, as clumps of thick heather clung to the rocks at either side.
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