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Controversy and Navigational Confusion

11.05.2006

Stage 3 - Day 4; Controversy marked the end of one of the most physical days to date on the Challenge. It all kicked off when two teams – France/Costa Rica and Netherlands/Italy arrived at the Geofalls competition location – where a spectacular waterfall cascaded down a gash in the mountain like a bridal veil - within minutes of the cut-off time. There was some discussion between the teams and the marshal at the site, after which they were allowed to start the climbing and abseiling competition.

The tranquillity of the sandy riverbank below the falls was shattered, however, when two teams who had arrived earlier completed the competition. ‘We thought we were the only teams that could arrive here in time,’ said Ireland’s Gary Robertson who, together with team partner Takashi Sugiyama braved the bitterly cold water of the pool below the falls first. ‘I think these teams may have arrived too late, and they shouldn’t be allowed to compete.’

His anger was well justified, as allowing the two late arrivals to complete the task would have a direct influence on all four the team’s points tally for the day. But it all turned to nothing a short while later, when the marshals were forced to close down the competition for safety reasons. ‘It was nothing major,’ said Competitions Director Simon Day. ‘One of the ropes started showing some signs of wear, and we deemed it safer to stop the competition rather than risk serious injury.’

As a result, both the teams that arrived near the cut-off time failed to complete the event, and earned no points despite their heroic efforts. ‘I’m very disappointed,’ said Costa Rica’s Claribett Vega. ‘We had worked so hard, and pushed so hard to get here in time, and now it is all for nothing.’ Her team partner, France’s Jean-Baptiste Calais, had a much more fiery response: ‘Why did they let us compete – getting freezing cold and soaking wet – if we couldn’t get the points?’

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