Adventure Racing World Championship 2006
The World’s No.1 Race and Team
Rob Howard / 21.08.2006
Those were the words of Ian Adamson, standing on the winners podium just after Nike Powerblast had crossed the line to become the 2006 Adventure Racing World Champions. Adamson, Richard Ussher, Dave Wiens and Monique Merrill had raced away in the final stages of the event to record a convincing win and they were warmly applauded by the crowd as they followed a police escort up into the race HQ above Hemavan and rode slowly over the line, enjoying their moment.
After the hugs and champagne the team stepped onto the stage and it was Adamson who spoke first, and with the practised ease of a serial winner. “The scenery we have raced through in Norway and Sweden has been incredible. On the paddle we had whales alongside and a slither of moon over a setting sun, then the northern lights came out. It is an experience I’ll never forget, not for my whole life.�
The announcer asked how much sleep they’d had, which ranged from 8 to 12 hours depending on “who was snoring and who was listening to it�. Adamson elaborate on their tactics. “At some point we intended to have a ‘repair’ sleep, one of 4 hours which is long enough to rest and recover a little, but also to repair some of the damage to the body. We did this on the paddle and then caught Team Finland very, very quickly. As far as we were concerned that was it.�
Dave Wiens explained that he’d been a pro bike racer for 15 years and only started adventure racing a couple of years ago, which drew a round of startled applause from the crowd. He’d only been called up to the team two weeks before the race.
Richard Ussher retains his World title (he won with team Balance Vector in NZ last year), and he said some of the scenery reminded him of home. Race Director Michael Nordstrom spoke up to praise his efforts for the winning team. “At the rappel up the waterfall this morning there was a dry rope, and a very wet rope, and Richard volunteered straight away to get wet. It’s that kind of team spirit that helps make this team winners.�
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