BHP Billiton Rock and Ice Ultra
Practically Shorts Weather - but still a challenge
Dane Gibson / 22.03.2008
It’s true all around the world, the people behind the scenes of any extreme race can make or break an event. The Rock and Ice Ultra, a relative newcomer to the extreme race scene, relies on the wide range of northern expertise that exists in the Yellowknife population. There is a large group of volunteers that live, work and play in minus 40 – and actually enjoy it.
Michael Corbett is a government employee with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, a long-time northerner who is happily volunteering at the Prelude Lake checkpoint for the second year in a row. Temperatures on Saturday warmed up to a balmy minus 9. Last year’s minus 30 start had many volunteers worried. This year’s temperatures have certainly made the job of volunteering less stressful.
“The fatigue hasn’t been as pronounced in the racers this year and we’re seeing little to no frostbite. We’ve treated a few blisters, but that’s it,� said Corbett. “Even though the temperatures are milder, we have still seen some racers dropping out but nothing like last year,� he added while handing a hot tea to arriving Diamond Ultra competitor, Wendy Mckinnon.
Mckinnon is well known on the extreme racing circuit having trekked the North Pole, across Antartica, and ran the Jungle stage race to name a few. A great competitor, Mckinnon seemed relaxed if not a little disappointed as she readied herself to continue to the next checkpoint.
“It’s slow going so far. I just don’t have the strength or speed,� said Mckinnon. “I feel okay - I just don’t know if I’m fast enough.�
When asked if she was thinking of packing it in, her response was immediate. “Oh heavens no!�
Just then a man in a huge yellow parka came around the back of the staging shack and Mckinnon’s face lit up. Mckinnon, a native of Scotland, was happy to see an old friend of hers who has competed in many of the same races. Ireland’s Phillip Mcmullan embraced his friend, then told her the bad news. He was not going to continue.
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