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Mikael's Monster

Rob Howard / 15.08.2006

Course Planner Mikael Nordstrom has raced all over the world with Team Halti, including the last two World Championships, most World Series qualifiers, Primal Quest and many more. He has organised the High Coast races and then Explore Sweden for many years, and he has drawn on all his experience to create a course worthy of a World Championship. “You will have to be a world class team to finish this race,� he says, “and only a World Champion could win it. I want it to be a racers course, enjoyable, fair and tough and it will find the best team, of that there is no doubt.�

When the teams had left the course briefing with their maps he added; “They don’t really know it yet, but it’s a monster.� The course is 800km long, highly technical, includes an ocean kayaking stage which may take teams over 24 hours, glaciers, caves and some special surprises. It’s going to be exciting, demanding, varied and technical.

Nordstrom has planned a fast, rapid-change start around Hemavan for tomorrow morning. After a ‘Le Mans’ style start with teams racing for their inlines or kick-bikes there is a 2km uphill section, on which some will choose to run and carry their skates as they trail behind the Swedes who will pole away at speed! Then comes an hour long technical mountain bike stage, followed by canyoneering which is also close to the town. “We have some big jumps and a wicked slide�, Nordstrom promised.

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