World’s Best Aim for Raid World Champs

07.04.2005

With less than a month to go before the season opens in Western Australia, well over 60 of the top adventure-racing teams from around the globe have already signed up for this year’s X-adventure The Raid World Cup circuit, in the hope of earning a crack at the coveted title of 2005 World Champions later in the year.

In the season opener, in South Western Australia, where the forest trails and Indian Ocean will bring to the forefront teams with strong bikers and paddlers, a spectacularly race-hardened local field will await the opposition, mainly teams from Europe and America fortunate enough to make the trip. Powerhouse legends from New Zealand, Seagate, racing for the first time on the circuit and with a stupendous track record and the ambition that goes with it, are no doubt setting their sights beyond just qualification.

This crack unit of Kiwis, renowned for a brilliant win on the 2002 Eco Challenge, finished 5th on the RAID GAULOISES 2003 and will be eager to stamp their authority on The Raid World Championship 2005. With only two members remaining from that 2002 squad, the team is built around the experienced Kristina Anglem, captain of the team, and veteran multi-sports giant Nathan FA’AVAE, a household name among the adventure racing cognoscenti with podium finishes at Southern Traverse, Eco Challenge, Primal Quest, Mild Seven Outdoor Quest and Balance Bar 24hr race series. With only one appearance on the circuit, this team has to get it right first time.

Also from down under, and equally as prestigious as their kiwi neighbours, comes Australia’s answer to the might of Europe and North America. Aroc/Mountain Design finished 3rd in last year’s race in Kalbarri and will be looking to maximise their points tally on this one stage.

Captain and ex-Australian cross-country skiing international, Alina MacMaster, led the team to a well deserved 2nd place in the 2003 Primal Quest, and with the likes of Tom Landon-Smith on the roster, there is no absence of talent in this team that is determined to capitalise on past experience and chase the world title.