China\'s Wulong Mountain Quest 2007
Powered by Velvet in China
Ross Rotherham (Team Poweredbyvelvet.org.nz) / 27.09.2007
While adventure racing is nothing new to Asia, mainland China is becoming the location of an increasing number of races. In recent years the Chinese Mountaineering Association has been organising races in different provinces with the assistance of local governments keen to promote their region as a tourist destination within China. The Wulong area, south east of China’s third most populous city, Chongqing, has hosted such events for the last 4 years running. This years race attracted many of the worlds top adventure racers, including world champions ‘Nike’ and 4 top quality kiwi teams.
The stage race format required a 4 person team including at least one female member, or alternatively a male over the age of 45. Racing was to last 6-9 hrs per day and include a variety of disciplines and adventure skills. Our “Powered by Velvet.org.nz� team included Rhys Burns, Chris Morrissey, Sonya Clark and myself, Ross Rotherham.
The opening day of racing, strangely termed ‘day 0’, was to serve as a short prologue. After a white knuckle bus trip to the start at the Wulong town square, we realised just how a big the event was. Thousands of people had come out to watch the racing and dozens of TV crew were preparing to broadcast the event on Chinese television. A lengthy opening ceremony, featured traditional Chinese cultural performances, speeches from local government officials and an athlete parade. We were left wondering if we were actually about to participate in the Bejing Olympics.
After a quick warm up (a strange concept in very humid 37 degree heat) we lined up for the start. From the gun the pace was fast, as we completed a 3km run, 5km bike and 3km paddle around the centre of Wulong. At the end of the run stage, scaling a 3m high wall required good team work.
Having looked at the river from the town above, it had appeared pretty tame. So like most teams, we didn’t worry about using the spray skirts provided. However it took all of about 2 paddle strokes to realise just how difficult these rudderless two person kayaks were to steer. Large swirling eddies quickly had us facing up river and big standing waves had water sloshing into our boats at an alarming rate. Around us other teams were fairing even worse, as we passed capsized boats and lost equipment.
Miraculously we made it to the take out with two boats still up right. A quick sprint back to the town square and a second ascent of the 3m wall had us across the finish line in 4th place.
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