Portuguese Champions Retain their Title
Alexandre Guedes da Silva / 12.03.2003
They had to be at their best on a difficult course at Montes e Vales near the northern border of Portugal. It was a very tight competition too, with 10 demanding sections where the time limits were critical. Small lapses in concentration ware fatal to many teams, including several of the top contenders. In fact, Prisma/Ciclonatur only took the lead after a penalty imposed on their rivals, Clube Praas da Armada, on the eighth section and managed to finish first with 66 PC\'s gathered in 12 hours 48 minutes.
CLAC/NEL and Megamdia, second and third respectively, were the two other teams that showed very strongly in this 1st Aventura Outdoor do Alto Tmega. Team Megamdia also had the two youngest contestants, both under 19 and both candidates for the Portuguese National Junior titles in Foot and MTB Orienteering.
The mixed teams struggled with the rugged terrain of the North as short time sections and steep climbs gave a natural advantage to the all male teams. Only UTL Aventura in 7th position managed to threaten this male domination. The big surprise was the strength of the local Chaves teams with almost all of them in the top half of the leader board. Even the rookies representing the local MTB club managed a surprising sixth place, finishing well ahead of many experienced teams.
With the national title decided the final race of the season will settle the remaining five top teams. Meanwhile, all the attention will switch to the International Algarve Adventure Race (May 1st to 4th). Will Prisma/Ciclonatur be able to confirm their dominance in this demanding Raid? And will they be able to resist the strong international opposition led by the Spaniards of Team Red Bull?
In May we will be able to start to answer these questions and many others about the most demanding AR in Europe this year. It’s 400 km over land and sea in just 81 hours non-stop, with maps, course layouts and rope activities prepared by two of the most respected orienteering and adventure race specialists in Portugal. Information and registration forms are available in English here.
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