Explore Sweden Monster - Atlantic to Baltic
Silva Gerber Adventure Tame the Monster
Malin Andersson / 15.07.2010
Explore Sweden Monster - Atlantic 2 Baltic was supposed to be the toughest monster ever, a 815 km ruthless beast which would eat teams for breakfast every morning - but that was before it was up against Team Silva Gerber. Last year's winners of Explore Sweden completely crushed this year's Monster. The winning time was estimated at 129 hours, yet the winners finished in 106 hours - a full day faster than expected, despite bad weather.On the finish line the team were asked; “Was the race the Monster course everyone expected?�
“Yes, it really wasâ€? said Silva Gerber Adventure’s Mattias Nyström just after celebrating the victory in this year’s Explore Sweden Monster. “There were some times when we thought that it's probably not many teams that will make the total course.â€?
Silva Gerber Adventure have been in the lead since the first trekking stage. At the beginning of the contest there were just a little gap but then it grew. “We had contact with other teams at the start, but on the first stage we got a little gap and we managed to maintain and even expand it.
“Then when we heard it was eight hours back to the second team we said: ‘we must think about what we are doing and not take any risks’ so we added in more sleep. Sleep is important.
Sweco Karlstad and FJS are also on their way to the finish. Sweco has the advantage but we know that FJS are strong at the end of races. Can Sweco manage to hold their second place during the 100 kilometre long final paddling stage?
At the back of the field, the Dutch team AMI Explore has fought hard, but now they have unfortunately withdrawn from the race. They were about to cross a river but found it impossible because of the harsh weather. Two team members were frozen and found a fisherman who showed them to a cabin where they could warm themselves from the hypothermia. The other two team members continued towards GZ3 but the slippery rocks resulted in a fall and injured ribs. The team is now safe and in good spirits, but will not continue the race.See All Event Posts
