Eco Motion Brazil 2005
Tight Races in the Top Ten
Susan McKenzie / 04.10.2005
The wind is blowing the rain through a centimetre wide slit between the tarp and the roof of Merrell/Wigwam Adventure’s support van, and dripping down into the food and onto the gear awaiting the team.
“It was a really rough night,� says Ian Edmond. “The navigation at night was just terrible. We missed the spot because we thought we couldn’t go down that road and it took us ages to realise we could.
What’s left of the team’s map for the previous trekking section is a sodden mess of blurry trails and CP markings. “It was at the bottom of my pack,� says Edmond.
Ahead of the American/Kiwi quartet are Buff Nike ACG, Oskalunga Brasil Telecom (the top racing team in Brazil), and Cross Sportswear.
Buff Nike ACG is long gone when Oskalunga Brasil Telecom and then Cross arrive at CP21/TA8.
Oskalunga has turned into a surprise strong contender at EcoMotion 2005. Internationally, this Brazilian team may be seen as something of a dark horse, but at home the team is well known, and very well supported, both officially by its crew and unofficially by the spectators that show up along the course (when the weather is better.) Its large support crew moves efficiently around the course, feeding the team, fixing bikes and making sure everything from maps to meals are ready to go.
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