Bull of Africa
The Bull - 580km total race distance
Lisa de Speville / 23.06.2005
The Orange River, which meanders through the Northern Cape Province and marks the border between South Africa and Namibia, starts in Lesotho's Maluti mountains. The river flows westwards, fed by the Caledon and Vaal rivers. It empties into the Atlantic Ocean on South Africa's westcoast after passing through the Richtersveld. Downstream of this region the Orange river has been dammed to form the Gariep and Vanderkloof dams, both integral to South Africa's hydroelectric and water supply grids. Low rainfall volumes in the past few years, over the crucial catchment areas, has meant exceedingly low water levels, which directly impact the river's flow.
"The water level on our planned rafting section is really low," explains race director Hano Otto. "To have the teams going through there now would see them bumping over rocks that are normally not exposed. As we've excluded this leg the teams will only paddle a 60km stretch in fibreglass Canadian canoes."
Incorporating this course alteration, Otto announced the total course distances. Teams can expect to cover 330km on their mountain bikes, 60km on water and 190km on foot - with rope work activities and a few Orange River crossings thrown in for good measure. That's a hefty 580km in total!
In another announcement, the teams were warned to expect an early evening start. They had anticipated a pre-dawn start on Saturday, 25 June, but will now set-off before sunset on Friday, 24 June. As this early evening start is certain to alter race strategies we expect to see teams sleeping on Saturday night, 24hrs into the race.
"This race is long," says Otto. "We want the teams to start the first leg before sunset, benefiting from the last of the day's light. By having the teams start on Friday evening, we score extra time to ensure that most teams make the short course cut-off. Those that don't reach this point in time will be diverted on to a shortened route."
At our registration venue, the Augrabies Falls National Park - some 4hrs South-east of the race start - teams have been steadily trickling in. New Zealand's Team Balance Vector was one of the first to arrive, settling in quickly and enjoying daily runs along the Park's Dassie and Klipspringer hiking trails. Now, with 2-days to go, all international teams have safely arrived. The first locals checked-in yesterday afteroon, starting the flood of South African registrations.
Otto has been out on the route for the past 4-days, hanging controls and verifying specifics for the rope-work sections. "There has recently been rain in the area so the landscape is covered in flowers. It is definitely not the dry, barren desert scene that we saw out here two months ago. Very unexpected."
He's very excited about the rope-work sections, specifically the ascent. Bilingual, Otto skips between English and Afrikaans as he enthusiastically describes this section. "This jumar is... unique. Without giving too much away", he continues, "there are several drops where they will ascend, swim through a rock pool, re-attach, ascend, swim through a pool... it really is an amazing location."
In 48-hrs the 2005 Bull of Africa will begin. Until then the teams have to pass through admin stations to have their mandatory gear, certifications and ropes proficiency skills checked.
Bull stands as one of the hottest expedition races this year - top calibre entrants, an exotic location and what certainly will be a gruelling, unsupported race.
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PARTICIPATING TEAMS
- Balance Vector, New Zealand
- Cross Sportswear, Sweden
- Cyanosis Powerade, South Africa
- DueSouth, South Africa
- Energy, South Africa
- FAAP Nokia Adventure, Brazil
- Halti, Sweden
- Jeep South Africa, South Africa
- Lagoon Bay / Century 2000 / Saucony, South Africa
- Martin & Scheepers / Pinegold, South Africa
- Mazda Salomon, South Africa
- Merrell/Wigwam Adventure, USA/New Zealand
- Nike ACG Endure, UK/Finland
- Olympus, South Africa
- Osiguranje Zagreb, Croatia
- Sandown Mitsubishi Red Ants, South Africa
- Sofrana Unilines, New Caledonia (Fr)
- Speleo Explorer Salomon, Poland
- Sterling Hilfiger South Africa
- Subaru USA, USA
- Tension Structures, South Africa
- The Thales Matadors, South Africa
- The North Face, UK
- 180° Adventures, South Africa
- 8848, South Africa
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