Réunion d’Aventures
Getting Wet on the Volcano
03.05.2004
Gérard Fusil started the 2nd Reunion d\'Aventures at 7.30 AM. Eighty competitors set off on a 7 kilometres trail run around Grand Etang, which included a short swim across a river. First to arrive at the mountain bike change over was Wilsa Sport/Helly Hansen. The bike leg took the competitors downhill on tracks and tarmac road with a short section on an old lava flow, which caused a few falls and punctures, to the sea. The route from the coast ascended, zig zagging through sugar cane plantations, getting steeper and sapping the strength of many of the riders.
Eider-Go Sport-VSD emerged as new leaders at the next changeover point at 800m altitude, where the weather was wet and overcast. The teams continued hiking over the mountainous terrain, with tricky crossing of the river de l\'Est and steams which had become swollen by the rain, towards the volcano which dominates the whole southern end of the island.
Once again Wilsa/Helly Hansen regained the lead passing the volcano car park at 2300m as they continued to the Commerson crater. But the 2 lead teams are racing neck and neck and are only 6 minutes apart. Both will spend the night at the bottom of the crater, due to safety reasons, and will start racing again at 06.15 tomorrow.
Three more teams : Apavou Hotels / Fous de Bassin, Ok Aventure Renault Sport 1 and Sovimef Marine Nationale are camped on the lip of the crater ready to descend in the morning. Some teams are being held up by swollen rivers which are deemed unsafe to cross until water levels drop and they will spend the night grouped together in various shelters.
The students of Reunion University are in last place and as they have been forced to accept assistance from the organisation and will continue unclassified.
One team TF1, elected to take the Discovery option reducing the mountain bike leg by 7km and are also serving a 4 hour penalty at the top of the Commerson crater.
Tomorrow’s route is being modified as too much water is flowing through the planned canyons, which may also cause changes to the water trek and kayak jump.See All Event Posts
