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Power Paddlers

Raid Series Release / 10.09.2006

After completing three sections, including an agonisingly long 78km canoeing leg that left almost all the teams physically and mentally drained, current title holders LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FRA) are still among the power paddlers grouped at the front of the field.

The short night spent nestled in the trees around the crystalline waters of Lake Chigoubiche was cold and damp, and when the 26 teams rose for the race start at 05:00 the full moon was shrouded in cloud and a chill wind was blowing. After a brief moment gathered around a campfire the 3rd Raid World Championship was underway.

Most teams sped into the dark for the opening 36km MTB sprint dash but LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FRA) forgot to plug in their electronic clocking devices, which eventually cost them a 15-minute penalty.

The Italians of PEDINI-IRET arrived around 5 minutes and met with the Spanish of UKA X-TEAM LLEIDA, who had to turn back after 1 kilometre to recuperate some forgotten compulsory equipment.

About 90 minutes later a dense throng of bikes burst from the track that wound through the forest to reach the banks of the River Ashuapmushuan. A hectic, neck and neck battle brought the first 10 teams almost simultaneously into assistance point 1.

LES ARCS-QUECHUA (FRA) and ADIDAS NATVENTURE (GER) led a tightly packed cluster of teams, including WILSA SPORT/HELLY HANSEN (FRA), GOLITE TIMBERLAND (NZL) and ERTIPS (FRA).

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