Bull of Africa
Merrell leaves CP12 on foot with a 1h30 lead
Lisa de Speville / 26.06.2005
Merrell had requested a 15-minute extension of the 30-minute bike transition compulsory stop and were ready to go within the 45-minutes. They are chirpy, in good health and are feeling fine. Robyn said that they had to swim across the river 3-times last night and that although it was cold it was not too bad. The terrain on the riverbank was a combination of open sandy beaches and rocky gardens. “It is quite a party on the feet, “Robyn added.
During the night Mazda Salomon passed Merrel/Wigwam Adventure at least a dozen times but dropped off later to take care of Michelle who is battling a chest infection. She was coughing already at CP8 and had complained earlier of a burning chest.
As Merrell waited for the end of the compulsory stop period they wolfed down snacks. “I was down to just hard candy the last 12hrs,� said Robyn. “I’m so sick of butterscotch! I eventually had to ask my mates for something different.�
AR World Series director Geoff Hunt is here, out on course. He strapped on Ian Edmond’s backpack to get a fee for the weight these guys are carrying. “It is heavy to pick up initially but once the hip-belt is fastened it isn’t as bad. But, it is a heavy pack for racing.�
09h03: Mazda has been through CP11 and are expected at CP12 in 35-minutes. So, 20-minutes since Merrell left + 35-minutes to get here + 45-minutes stop… 1h30 between 1st and 2nd.
Other news from the field is that the youthful FAAP Nokia Adventure Brazil team have withdrawn – at PC6, Klein Pella. It seems that Roberta Recoder has a chest infection and has been battling to breathe.
Olympus left Klein Pella (CP6) at 04h00 (Sunday). The Thales Matadors slept at Klein Pella, leaving at 06h00. I believe both teams look fine.
Subaru USA’s Dan Barger and Antonia de la Rossa are the withdrawn members. The other two, Dan Malone and Elina Maki-Rautila continued from CP7 on their own. They have been told that they need to hook up with another team for the trekking section from CP8 or they will not be allowed to continue.
Gotta run… Mazda should be arriving shortly…
SleepMonsters
