XPD Australia

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Just Keep Going Forwards

Media Release / 24.05.2010

Another big day saw the two pull away leaders, Blackheart.com.au (1) and Orion Adventure (40), continuing to leapfrog each other on Legs 9 (MTB), 10 (kayak) and the final 60km trek (Leg 11) into Cairns. It’s anyone’s guess as to which team (and when) will be first to the finisher’s couch – it’s going to be close with still only minutes between them.

The majority of the field (34 teams still racing ranked) are spread over the Walsh River kayak (Leg 7) and Chillagoe Station trek (Leg 8) with the faster teams already well on their way from Mt Mulligan (CP17) to Lake Tinaroo (CP22) on the 130km mountain bike (Leg 9). This cycle leg travels from outback savannah country to the fertile tableland agricultural areas, and the navigation through the first third is proving particularly challenging for all the teams.

On the Walsh River, ten teams transitioned through CP15 during the daylight hours on Day 6. The site known as Nine Mile is located by the side of the river (the opposite side to where the trek begins) with plenty of sandy riverbed space for teams to spread out, enjoy a fire and rest under the shady melaleucas and river gums. It has been noted by the volunteers manning this CP, that the water level has been dropping about 10cm a day. This is taking its toll, especially on heavier and unranked teams (paddling three in a kayak), as so much of this leg requires that the kayaks be dragged through shallows. The frustration of some teams is showing as they pull in, saying that the location is really pretty but that the dragging and navigating is terribly gruelling work.

A lot of teams have been paddling by day and resting at night, camping by the river side and making a fire, sometimes in groups of 3-6 teams. It is clear that this paddle leg has really deepened the camaraderie amongst the teams - the encouragement and genuine interest in each other’s wellbeing is great to see, yet so typical of the adventure racing breed.

Quotes of the day at CP15 include:

- Blood, Sweets and Beers (43) – the paddle was like pushing a shopping trolley up Mt Kilimanjaro!
- Adrenamen (32) – What a BRUTAL paddle … but how fun!!!
- More Training Required (10) – a nice paddle but 70km to long!
- Goldfish (11) – the best leg so far!!

Teams have been reminded at this CP to take plenty of food for the next trek (Leg 8) as the fastest teams took 25-35 hours and underestimated their needs. At this point the racers are also re-evaluating their pace estimates for this leg, and even whether it will be at all possible for them to complete the course before Friday evening. In the meantime they can only just keep progressing onward with the positive attitudes and high spirits they are nurturing, for both themselves and for their team mates.See All Event Posts