Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge
A Colourful Start
09.12.2007
Abu Dhabi is truly a country of surprises, and this morning, as the teams gathered on a beach resplendent with the starting arch towering above a palisade of colourful flags representing the 16 nations present on this inaugural Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, was no exception. The sun was hidden behind a dense veil of mist that had descended unforeseen upon the city during the early hours of the morning.
Aware that such an unpredictable start to the day could well set a trend, prudence was the watchword and the race start, due for 09:00, was delayed until 10:00, in the hope that the dense fog would lift. The teams made good use of the delay by carrying out some final gear checks and familiarising themselves with the state of the art multi-mast sail system equipping these brand new kayaks. The organisation also took the precaution of handing out the GPS co-ordinates for CP3 to aid the teams should the fog thicken later in the morning.
When the final start was given, the teams ran to their waiting kayaks and sped off in the direction of the magnificent dome and out along the Al Dhabeia coast, once the cherished haven of pearl divers and fishermen, for the first leg of a 118km, two day paddling section.
Most of the teams managed to move steadily down the coast and it was soon clear that the two teams from New Zealand, ADVENTURE SPORT NZ and ORIONHEALTH.COM were setting the pace and, after losing the tail wind on the turn south, they paddled their way into a clear lead by CP4.
At nightfall, 18:00, the teams were obliged to leave the water and bivouac at the nearest CP. ADVENTURE SPORT NZ were the only team to make it to CP8 while a large number of chasing teams would camp at CP7.
In the rear of the course, things became unstuck for locals TDIC – RIGHT TO PLAY (UAE) and rookies ABU DHABI NOMADS (SER) as both teams followed each other into the open sea but they were quickly brought back to CP3 to continue the race in the wake of the leading teams. Tomorrow morning at 06:00 they will all set off again for the second part of the section, eventually arriving in Mirfa.
From there, they will be transferred to the Liwa Oasis and a traditional Bedouin camp for food and rest before taking on the desert on the adventure running phase of the race.
SleepMonsters
