Réunion d’Aventures
Volcanic Eruptions and Flash Floods
03.05.2004
Yesterday\'s rain was followed by a volcanic eruption of the main crater of Piton de la Fournaise during the night. Thankfully the competitors sleeping nearby were not effected, but they may not have slept too comforatably!The night however was cold and as dawn broke the rain and mist continued. The five leading teams completed the awesome descent (210m) into the Commerson Crater and climbed out before the activity was closed for safety reasons. Teams arriving later were given the option of a 4 hour time penalty in order to continue in the extreme class or a transfer to adventure class. Most teams opted for the latter instead of sitting about in the cold and wet.
It as not fire, but water which was the biggest problem, canyonning, water trek and kayak jumping had to be abandoned and a short section of white water kayaking was added instead.
Today the race began to take shape. The two leading teams started five minutes apart, however by the end of the day Karine Baillet and team Wilsa/Helly Hansen had stretched their lead over Eider-Go Sport-VSD and are spending the night in a shelter on the ridge of Cirque de Salazie at 1600m. Team Apavou Hotels/Fous de Bassin is in third place.
The teams flew along the course and tomorrow they are expected to cross the Cirque de Mafate having climbed Piton des Neiges, at 3069m the island’s highest point. (Though it does not get the snow the name implies.) Mafate is the only major cirque on the island with no road access, and is completely cut off by a wall surrounding cliffs, broached by only a couple of hair raising paths.
The Adventure class is being lead by team Sovimef Marine Nationale, who completed the kayaking and have a five hour bonus over chasing teams as they completed the ropes course before it was closed in the morning.See All Event Posts
