EcoMotion Pro

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Buff Coolmax at the Front of the Pack

Togumi / 24.10.2007

Buff Coolmax have opened up a lead at Ecomotion Pro 2007. Their lead came after a great performance in the trekking stage in the Serra dos Órgãos, where they left their challengers behind to be the first to arrive in Petropolis.

The strong rain that fell during the night made the teams at the top of the hill look for shelter. Five Brazilian teams was together in a cave to rest after losing much time looking for the right path in the rain. But the Oskalunga Sundown team were smarter and while the other teams were sleeping they set off and were the first Brazilian team to complete the crossing. Of the sleeping teams E.C.P. Selva arrived next some 2 hours later.

Today, the main feature of the course was a long section of trekking and horseback riding of about 10 hours duration. The athletes trekked to PC5 and PC6 and with the cancellation of PC\'s 8 and 9 (rope section), followed directly to PC10, where they could receive help from their support crews, but they continued from there on foot still. Spanish team Buff Coolmax passed throught PC10 with about 45 minutes advantage over the second placed team.

At the next control point teams started the horseback riding section. But in the instructions received, the athletes were told they would end the section at a transition where they would receive support, but to their surprise they left the horses at a control point earlier and did another trek to PC14, where their support were awaiting for them. The transition was mounted in an open area, without any infrastructure or shelter from the bad weather.

While the leaders fought for the first positions, the teams that spent the night in the mountain began to come down, forming a nearly continuous line, marking their control chips and then seeking a hot meal and dry clothes.See All Event Posts