C2 City Challenge Stockholm
Streetwise in Stockholm
Gary Tompsett / 31.08.2004
The Swedes have not been shy of putting on complicated and daring races, suited very well to the navigational mindset of their AR force. At the C2 it was clear to team captain Pete James that it would be difficult to do well in their established urban arena, and with their distinctively different maps, street plans and very special overall ‘Road Map Flowchart’.
For its 4th year the race had attracted the most competitive teams ever, not least Nokia and FK Hercules, and out of 21 Elite teams only 5 were not Swedish. It looked like local knowledge would prevail. Perhaps surprisingly, SSO’s persistence during the tougher parts of the race would enable them to post a result better than expected in the warm and sunny conditions.
Big Team ... Too Much Gear
The team was to be a chirpy and organised one. The original and fresh Rat Race line-up of Pete James and rising stars Fiona Berrow and Bruce Duncan was joined by Phil Davies from the expeditionary ‘big league’. Together they would be good, with guidance from the two experienced hands for the young ones. Once again Fiona, at 19, was the youngest in the event, although the Rookie class did allow 15 year olds!
Essential additions to the team were two team assistants (Martin ‘Bunny’ Warren of Team Sleepmonsters and Bruce’s father Tony) and a vehicle with 4 bikes and 3 kayaks, and a great pile of food, all to be transported during the race between transitions. This team support was an integral part of the team performance, and as often happens, sleep deprivation, logistics and navigation were pressing on them too.
SleepMonsters
