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Stage 2 Summary and Results

06.05.2006

Competitors left the Laos capital last Sunday with lightning ripping across the Vientiane skyline like a flashbulb and two forecasts hanging over their heads: biblical rain and evil conditions from the tail end of a tropical cyclone, and scoreboard domination from the newly selected partnership of Russia and Belgium.

By evening the rain had vanished but Dmitry Timokhin and Kris Janssens had firmly stamped their authority on the Challenge, with a double victory in the Strategy Pit and stage opener. The activity, collecting heavy equipment including a Range Rover Sport tyre from various points along the Mekong River’s sprawling sand flats, underlined their formidable strength and fitness.

While most teams avoided two exhausting runs by transporting the tyre by kayak, the power couple put in the extra yards, rolling it back along the beach before tackling the other tasks. ‘We played to our strengths,’ said Dmitry. ‘We had lots of energy, dry shoes and dry clothes so we could run fast. When you get a chance like that you give 100 per cent.’

There were surprising combinations behind them with Ireland and Holland securing a superb second and Taiwan’s Victor Huang, the lowest ranked competitor, bonding with the UK’s Brian Reynolds to ease into sixth place. ‘Victor is very strong,’ said Brian. ‘I need to use his strength more.’

Just an hour later Russia and Belgium had won again, with the fastest design of a winch and pulley system to lift a tree trunk. The display of brain rather than brawn gave them the chance to leave camp first each morning – opening up the possibility of more activities and more points. ‘It was important for psychological and morale reasons,’ said Kris.

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