The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2007

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Stage 4 Report

26.11.2007

�It’s only a short hike to the plateau,� remarked, Julio, the ship’s expedition leader. Around 9 am we departed the ship for a hike to a plateau where the fourth stage would be held. As we landed a leopard seal rose out of the water besides our zodiacs to take an unsuspecting penguin in its mouth and we watched in awe hoping not to be next.

On shore, we hiked up a very steep hill, actually several hills, on freshly fallen snow, until we reached a plateau on the summit which revealed a stunning 360 degree panorama of mountains, icebergs, glaciers and penguins, all basking in the surprising return of the sun.

Kazuo Isomura arrived at the plateau ready to race and joined the other competitors on a circuit around the plateau. Moo Woong Lee thought the stage was the most spectacular yet, and all enjoyed the hike to the plateau. Ji Sung Yoo was inspired and ran the whole stage even with deep snow. It was truly a race on top of the world at the bottom of the world.

Many of the ship’s passengers also made it to the plateau and entered into the spirit of the occasion cheering on the competitors.

At the end of Stage 4, Italian Francesco Galanzino and American Joe Holland tied for first with all competitors finishing the stage looking strong.

Tomorrow will be the final stage on Deception Island. The stage is expected to last eight hours. Currently it is a race between Joe Holland and Francesco Galanzino to capture The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2007 championship title, however, Francesco Galanzino is expected to capture the 4 Deserts series championship wherever he places tomorrow.

Tomorrow afternoon competitors will begin the 48 hour return trip over the rough Drake Passage to Ushuaia, Argentina concluding The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2007.

Note: Competitors will be ranked according to the number of kilometers (miles) they are able to accumulate – the competitors with the most kilometers (miles) will be ranked as the champion. Bad weather, deep snow, ice, rough seas and an unexpected sinking of a fellow passenger ship have resulted in a shorter course and a more challenging schedule.

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