Ecomotion/Pro 2008 Adventure Racing World Championship
Across the Cauldron and into the Hills
Rob Howard (Photos Jaques Marai) / 04.11.2008
Soon after dark race leaders Team Nike were making the jumar ascent to PC16 and looking forward to taking the remaining 3 hours rest on their ‘sleep card’ after the hardest day of the race so far. The heat, night navigation on the mountain treks and growing fatigue have slowed down the pace of the race but Nike still looked focused and efficient as they approach the ropes stages soon after 14.00. Their first task was a waterfall abseil, although it was only a trickle of water which did nothing to cool them down and only served to made the rocks very slippery.Once down at the bottom of the 70m drop they had to descend the hillside via a canyon, then climb their way back up through dense bush, moving along a ridge, then taking a winding path below a cliff edge. The trail was indistinct and wet in places, with run off from the overhanging rocks causing some patches of deep mud.
Eventually they arrived at the foot of the Jumar stage, shortly after dark, and once at the top it was time for that 3 hour sleep.
By the time they woke up however their race lead would have been taken.
While they slept OrionHealth.com came through and as a result of paddling to the bonus CP on day one they were not required to sleep, having already taken their allotted 4 hours. So they pushed on and were the first to walk into AT10/PC17 to loud applause from the gathered support crews and local spectators. They arrived at 19.53 and made a very fast transition to leave again at 20.05, setting off on the 23km bike ride which began with a fast downhill to get out of the mountains.
Nike came in and left at 21.45, now chasing a 1 hour 40 minute deficit, but with the benefit of having had twice the sleep OrionHealth have had. The idea of the bonus CP and sleep cards could not have worked better and in the remaining 215km of the race we shall see if Orion can hold onto that lead.
Their nearest challengers are currently Team SOLE, who left transition 1 hour 24 minutes after Nike. The team had been in good spirits earlier in the day as passed the impressive rock formation of Castelo de Pedras and stopped briefly of a cheer and a team photo. Their transition was slower than the leaders but very thorough, with one support crew member to each racer and everything instantly to hand. Their bike mechanic had also lightened the bikes, including removing the front brakes and fixed a problem on Paul Romero’s tyre. Romero said, “I had to sleep back at the jumar, I was wasted and we’re running on fumes. We smoked the bike ride last night, so that was great and are going well.� Before leaving he grabbed a handful of peanuts, careful to crunch them on one side of his mouth as he’d broken a tooth earlier in the race.
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