The World Adventure Racing Championships (XPD Australia)
Team Profile; SART Expedition (Singapore)
Rob Howard / 29.10.2011
With ARWC being held in Tasmania there is a stronger than usual entry this year from Asia, and among these are SART Expedition team from Singapore. The team are one of several all-male teams racing, and though they won’t place in the overall ranking ahead of any mixed teams they are as determined as any team to finish the race. Team captain Wilson Low knows what’s needed to achieve this, having finished XPD Australia last year, a race where less than 50% of the teams starting made the finish line, though for his team mates it will be there first expedition race.
“Wilson has shared all his experience with us,� said James Wong, “which has helped us to prepare for the race. We could not believe how much food he has made us pack, and left to ourselves we would surely have run out. And he has told us what clothing works for a race like this as well. For us, coming from a hot and humid climate it will be a cold race and its something we need to be prepared for.�
Speaking to the team their commitment is obvious and for Captain Wilson Low entering the race is a long held ambition. “I have wanted to race a big event like the World Championships for some time now and have spent years racing and training to lead up to it. We take it seriously but at the same time not to seriously. We have bonded well as a team and have a lot of fun and we just want to enjoy the experience here in Tasmania where scenery looks so fantastic. We know we will not be at the front of the race but are determined to finish well and if we can avoid major mistakes, or maybe recover well from any mistake, then I think we can do it.�
“I know we won’t be ranked anyway, as we are an all-male team,� he added. “We were originally a mixed team but then lost our female racer and could not find another – there just are not enough female adventure racers in Singapore! That was when James joined the team. He was our team manager, helping with publicity and fund raising, but decided he should race. His navigation experience will be a big help to us as he I sinvolved in navigation training with the military and I think our strength is our all-round range of skills.�
As you can see from the profiles below the team do have a wide range of expertise and experience, even though they are one of the least experienced at expedition racing. They will soon find out if it is enough to carry them through a world championship course.See All Event Posts
