Raid Gauloises
Montrail and Human Link Continue to Set the Pace
Raid Gauloises Reporting Team / 14.06.2003
Yesterday evening, at around 20:30, as night fell and an icy wind began to blow down the valley towards the Naryn River, four teams arrived at CP17 for the transition to the 35.5km, 2,146m climb to CP18. HUMAN LINK (SE) and MONTRAIL (US) arrived together and left together at 23:10, after marking the compulsory 4-hour stop imposed by the organisation to ensure the teams recuperate before the trek. The two leadings teams established a fruitful rapport and exploited this overnight to ward off the challenge from VSD-EIDER (FR). Captain of MONTRAIL (US) Rebecca Rush said: “We didn’t try to charge today, we just did our usual thing and eventually teams started to appear ahead of us. We were surprised to catch VSD-EIDER (FR) this morning.�
Leaders at the start of day 3, VSD-EIDER (FR) were now 23 minutes behind. Sylvain Mougin, suffering from stomach trouble, headed straight for the medical tent and ERTIPS (FR), looking tired, arrived 22 minutes later. MONTRAIL (US) stole a small lead on HUMAN LINK (SE) leaving CP17, thanks to a well-organised transition. HUMAN LINK (SE) had a small problem with a walking pole and left around 8 minutes later, enough for MONTRAIL (US) to be out of sight heading for the ridge. Rebecca Rush said before leaving: “I think this section could be a decisive one in the race; one that could open up real gaps. It will be hard for teams to close down the leaders on the remaining parts.�
BUFF EXTREM (SP) was 5th into CP17 at about 23:00. Monica Aguilera was exhausted and sat against her bike box asking for food while her team mates helped her by supplying some warm clothes to combat the bitter cold. The team found the bike ride very tough and were soon asleep but would need to rise earlier to pack for the mountains. ERTIPS (FR) was busy packing for their scheduled departure, though they appeared the more fatigued of the leading four teams.
Early the next morning, after trekking to CP18 at 3,670m VSD-EIDER (FR) needed medical assistance for Sylvain Mougin, who was suffering from dehydration. After spending 2 hours on a drip, he continued to CP19. BUFF EXTREM (SP) left CP18 at 09:05. About one hour after, SAAB SALOMON (GB) and SEAGATE (NZ) could be seen approaching the CP up a dramatic snowy ridge. The 2 teams passed through PC18 within a few minutes of each other. SEAGATE (NZ) was having a tough time with the altitude and Neil Jones said “It’s hard work and we are not doing too well. We will be happier when we get back down the other side.� Kristina Strode Penny passed by in silence, head down and concentrating on every footstep. SAAB SALOMON (GB) arrived in better spirits but they had made a mistake estimating their water needs. \'We only had one bottle each in 6 1/2 hours and we didn’t see a single stream.� Apart from thirst, the team looked strong and were in good spirits.
At CP19 just before the end of the trek, the teams tested their sure footedness against a breathtaking cable bridge strung across a spectacular 100m deep narrow canyon that they then abseiled into. Sylvain Mougin had recovered well after his medical treatment at CP18 and the team moved on to the trek through a beautiful, cliff lined, high mountain valley, accompanied only by the roar of the crystal clear river. But BUFF EXTREM (SP) ad already snatched fourth, following VSD-EIDER\'s earlier problems.
After gaining a small lead in transition at CP17, the strong MONTRAIL (US) team extended its lead to around 50 minutes on the high altitude trek to CP18, CP19 and down into CP20, where a snow blizzard, the evening before, had left a fine covering of crystals on the ground. Novak Thompson felt very tired but the team recuperated well at CP20, after a 4-hour compulsory rest period. They gambolled off to choose their mounts, saddled up and rode into the sunset at around 18:00, a good 50 minutes ahead of nearest rivals HUMAN LINK (SE). BUFF EXTREM (SP) came in ahead of ERTIPS (FR) and VSD-EIDER (FR), though they were penalised 1h30 for not staying grouped at CP18. SEAGATE (NZ) were beginning to apply their famous sprint finish as they just edged out SALOMON SAAB (GB) coming into CP20. With 4 hours compulsory rest and a gentle horse-ride around the Lake Song Kul to come, the teams should all be fairly rested and ready for the final push to the finish. The equestrian calm before the storm…
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