The Raid World Championship 2006
What goes up ...
Susan McKenzie / 13.09.2006
270 metres ... straight down.
Nike Powerblast’s Richard Ussher and Sari Anderson are barely distinguishable on the rock, tiny specks of blue against the grey granite. They make slow and steady progress down the wall, but it’s clear that Anderson is not, well, comfortable on the rappel. The wind carries their voices, and Ussher’s constant talk to help her down.
“Ropes are probably the only thing that would make me give up adventure racing,� Anderson says later. “Not my favourite thing.�
“I’d make a crap support crew,� Ussher says, laughing.
“Are you kidding? You talking was what got me down that rappel,� Anderson adds.
As they walk up the road, back up to TA11/12, Mike Kloser spreads his arms wide. “That was fantastic,� he says. “Really great.�
Les Arcs Quechua arrived at the TA just as Nike Powerblast left, literally crossing paths. They walk slowly uphill, their faces worn and tired. Anne Laure Mignery grimaces as she walks, and its clear the trek was not so fun for them.
After falling behind on the last trek, the French team lucks out when its compatriots Wilsa Sport Helly Hansen are forced to stop at the TA to serve a one hour penalty.
Les Arcs makes the rappel slowly, Yves Billodeau favours one leg as he goes down, while the other calf is bandaged. Still a long way left in the race, and Les Arcs looks very tired.
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