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The Desert for Main Course

Chris Archer / 11.12.2007

Since 7h 30 this morning the teams have been absorbed by the infinite sands of the northern reaches of the Rub Al Kahli, after a restorative night spent in a traditional Bedouin camp. They will attempt to cover 87km on foot across the towering dunes arriving sometime during the night. At CP4 +, just before the mid-point, WILSA HELLY HANSEN (FRA) was leading the pack, ahead of a group of teams all within 20 minutes of each other.

Beginning last night after the transfer by bus to the area around the Moreeb Dune south of Liwa Oasis, the discovery of the local desert region continued this morning for the 26 teams in the competition. As the sun peeked above the blood-coloured dunes, the athletes were already busy fastening gaiters, the wholesale smearing of sun block, fixing Sahara hats and even, for a few, covering their limbs with long sleeves and trousers as protection against the insidious sand and the scorching sun.

Dreaded by a large majority of the teams, this 87km long adventure running section through a disquieting landscape, with an endless succession of dunes rolling away as far as the eye can see, will last until tomorrow morning. As the day wore on and the temperature crept ever higher, the sand lost its morning moisture and feet lost their traction, sinking and slipping on the frangible slopes. The teams began to take longer and longer stops at the CPs, drinking as much as their stomachs would hold and stuffing the 4,5 litres of water, provided by the organisation for each athlete at each CP, into whatever space they could find in their backpacks.

The teams were strung out in filigree lines across the vast expanse of sand, zigzagging their way around the bonus CPs. At CP4+ (40km), WILSA SPORT HELLY HANSEN (FRA) were blazing the trail, 10 minutes ahead of a small group comprising SALOMON SPAIN (ESP), ADIDAS NATVENTURE (GER), EUROSPORT NZ (NZL) and SALOMON CRESTED BUTTE (USA).

The teams will carry on into the night with even fewer sightlines and only their precious GPS to help them find their way. At the end of this fist trekking leg, the first teams will wait until 7 o'clock in the morning where they will pick up a camel to help them carry their fro another 40km trek through the desert to Hamim.

Passage at CP4 - Section B - Trek 87km

1 WILSA HELLY HANSEN (FRA) at 13h25
2 SALOMON SPAIN (ESP) at 13h35
3 ADIDAS NATVENTURE (GER) at 13h35
4 EUROSPORT NZ (NZL) à 13h35
5 SALOMON CRESTED BUTTE (USA) à 13h35
6 LUNDHAGS ADVENTURE (SWE) à 13h37
7 ADCO BUFF COOLMAX (ESP) à 13h38
8 NIKE (USA) à 13H38
9 ORIONHEALTH (NZL) à 13h38
10 SPORT 2000 LAFUMA (FRA) à 13h43
11 ERTIPS (FRA) à 13h46
12 SPELEO SALOMON (POL) à 13h47
13 AIGLE SPORT (FRA) à 13h55
14 HALTI (SWE) à 13h56
15 FJS (SWE) à 13h57
16 AFOC FINLAND (FIN) à 15h00
17 DUAPHINE LIBERE CIE DES ALPES (FRA) à 15h08
18 ADCO SELVA (BRA) à 15h18
19 ENDURANCE MAG (FRA) à 15h22
20 COASTZONE.DK (DAN) à 16h10
21 TEAM DOWN UNDER (AUS) à 17h15
22 DUNKERQUE INEO SUEZ (FRA) à 17h 15

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