Raid The North Extreme Follows The ‘Voyageurs’

Rob / 24.04.2003

Raid The North Extreme, Canada’s six-day expedition-style race will be held in the Atikokan region of Ontario between August 17th -22nd this year.

Over its five-year history the race has become one of the top expedition-style adventure races on the international circuit, attracting top teams from around the world. It’s developed a reputation as one of the most challenging non-stop wilderness races anywhere and has been held in spectacular and demanding terrain all over Canada.

This year, race organisers have chosen the Atikokan region as the competition area, in part as it has a reputation as the Canoeing Capital of Canada. It’s also in the heart of one of Canada’s most beautiful and easily accessed wilderness regions, Quetico Park, and will offer an incredible remote environment just steps away from civilization.

\"We were looking for a region with a history of adventure and exploration,” explained Dave Zietsma, captain Team Schick Extreme III and course designer of the 2003 RTNE. “In the heart of North America, this region carries a rich history of some of the heartiest explorers - the ‘Voyageurs’. They travelled countless miles of uncharted wildernessin voyageurs canoes gathering furs and trading. Even today, their stories stand out as incredible displays of the strength of the human spirit.\"

Following in their footsteps teams will mountain bike, negotiate fixed ropes, trek, and paddle approximately 500km over six uninterrupted days of racing. Time on the water will clearly be a significant feature of this year’s event, although the race course and the various components are not revealed until the day before the race.

Much of the route will pass through the renowned Quetico Wilderness Park, southeast of Atikokan. In addition to over 1,400 kilometres of canoe routes within its 4,655 square kilometre expanse, this astonishing landscape boasts a tangled network of jewelled lakes and rivers, flanked by cliffs and waterfalls amidst a majestic northern forest. Immense solitude, abundant wildlife, and very little inhabitation will make this a beautiful and challenging environment for a week-long race.

\"The enthusiasm and commitment that Atikokan has shown to hosting our event made this an easy decision,” said Geoff Langford, President of Frontier Adventure Racing, the company organising the race. “This friendly community has absolutely embraced this event and will no doubt provide an incredible experience for the many teams from around the world who will be competing.”

[See the calendar for more details of the race and a link to their web site.]