Kayak Lake Mead\'s Summer Night Race

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Night Race Report

Briana A. Finlay / 30.07.2007

For the first time competitors get to feel an AYUP Mtbike Light System with its ultra lightweight lights and batteries. Ay Up reps Darren Clarke and Briana Finlay explain the use and simplicity of the system, exciting competitors, as they set teams up with Ay Up Demo lights for the race.

Teams start with full spirits, despite the humidity and heat of the early arrival of the summer thunder storm system. Diablos de la Noche lead the swim to the paddle section, but was passed at the paddle-and-tie to paddle transition by Team Sole. Sole was never to be seen again until the finish line.

Diablos was caught later by Red Energy, who never let go of their tale until they split up on the last leg of the race; the mountain bike orienteering course. Diablos went out on their bikes while Red Energy had a different strategy, and left on foot to tackle the rocky technical single-track of Bootleg Canyon.

Teams in the rear of the field of the kayak leg were caught out in the rough water of 25 knot plus winds and were relieved to make it back into first transition. Where, in a sand storm, they readied to proceed to mountain bikes, canyon trekking, bush-whacking and swim orienteering course.

“The big waves were fun for the first hour when my adrenaline was pumping�, exclaimed Neil Kesterson, of local first time racers Team Pink Puma Chix, as they received a helping hand off the kayak course. They then quickly transitioned to return to the course.

Welcomed by the full moon and warmth of the air and water, all teams enjoyed the night swim orienteering course. Check Points were tagged with glow sticks to ensure points could be found in the complex water labyrinth of small islands, inlets, isthmus’, and peninsulas.

All teams made it up to the challenging final mountain bike orienteer in Bootleg Canyon.

Not all the teams could get all the mtbike check points in under the 16 hour cutoff time. However, all teams did cross the finish line looking very worked and loving it with huge smiles.
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