The 2007 Adventure Race World Championship

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A Rapid Descent

Gary Vallance / 29.05.2007

Equipped with their Nordic walking poles, and desperate to overcome the chill of the swim and kayak stages, the lead teams swiftly marched the ten kilometres towards checkpoint 16 where the spectacular Foyer Falls would be the location of their next dunking.

Changing into wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids, the shoes went back on and they were sent along a trail of Buff bunting down woodland paths into the side of the gorge. After a series of downhill zigzags over pine needles and slippery rock steps, they were abruptly directed over the handrail, and straight down a steep incline to follow (and hang onto) a ropeline to the river below.

On reaching their guide the question on every adventure racer’s mind was promptly answered, as the location of the checkpoint was revealed. In the frigid plunge pool beneath the plume of Foyer Falls was tethered an inflatable raft, with the control point strapped to its flank. Swimming out over the choppy darkness, teams were forced to catch their breaths in the coldest water temperatures in the race so far. This initial task proved far more demanding than the distance suggested, teams fought against the flow, blasted by the spray from the waterfall.See All Event Posts