Réunion d’Aventures
Finally Some Canyoning
06.05.2004
The hope that the weather might improve was short lived, however five teams did manage to complete the ‘3 Cascades’ canyon yesterday before rising waters forced its abandonment. As racing restarted on day 4 one result of the enforced stop during the race was the ability of the teams to move faster after an additional six and a half hours rest.
For the restart the Cirque de Salazie was shrouded in cloud hiding some of the many waterfalls it is famous for, and which were now in full force. From the restart the two leading teams ‘Wilsa Sport/Helly Hansen’ and ‘Eider-Go Sport-VSD’ raced through the adjoining Cirque de Mafate in record time with only an hour separating them. ‘Wilsa Sport/Helly Hansen’ reached the mountain bike prior to nightfall to leave them within striking distance of finishing tomorrow. OK Aventure Renault Sport 1 consolidated their third place and Pyrénées-Atlantiques dropped down to the Adventure Class.
The two top teams include members of last year’s winning team. Karine Baillet’s ‘Wilsa Sport’ team was thought to be a bit less experienced this year, but they are sustaining their lead ahead of the very accomplished ‘Eider-Go Sport-VSD’. Her former team mate François Faloci is on this team, racing with French triathlon champion Véronique Chastel and world canoe champion and Raid Gauloises winner Gilles Lelièvre, who is the team captain.
The Adventure section is lead by Sovimef Marine nationale, with Yves Rocher-Endurance Shop and Total MBK, in 2nd and 3rd place. Bichique Corail Helicopters lost a team member this morning due to injury and continue unranked.
Fujifilm, a team including several famous yachtsmen who were delayed by floods early in the race, have been moved onto the Adventure Expedition course from the Discovery route. Many of these teams will be spending the night in the village of La Nouvelle.
The Discovery section was lead by TF1 at the beginning of the day, they completed the first canyon prior to its closure bu tthen the TV presenter in the team had to drop out to cover this weekend’s Grand Prix! So they continue unranked. The Discovery Expedition category for those teams who had been trapped in the river d\'Est area is now lead by OK Aventure Renault Sport 2, who are camped in the Mafate basin on the final trekking stage.See All Event Posts
