Coast Raid/Éco EnduranceAventure 2008
Teams arriving from all over the world to remote northeastern Quebec
Jean-Thomas Boily / 20.08.2008
Athletes and Staff are getting ready for the start of the 2008 Coast Raid that will be held from August 21st to 24th.
Teams from Brasil, Canada, France, Italia, United States and South Africa arrived several days before the start so they could get organized. Some teams who arrived later have been affected by flight changes due to stormy weather, and have arrived missing bikes and other gear. Organizers are working hard to find replacement equipment for those teams affected. A festive ambiance can be feel in Blanc-Sablon, where a welcome party will await the racers on Wednesday afternoon.
The organization is very pleased with the course that awaits the participating teams. "The terrain that we have here is just unbelievable, it feels like we are on the moon!" says Daniel Poirier, the Race Director of the Event. The Lower North Shore of the Quebec Province of Canada is renowned as one of the wildest area in Canada. The athletes can expect to race without seeing anyone on entire sections of the raid. The organisation also said that the kayak will be a big part of the race as, with so much water around, it was difficult not to do so.
The weather will also be a major factor of the race. In this part of the world, anything can happen and weather can change very quickly. The teams can expect to see a sunny 20°C morning and a 4°C afternoon in the fog and rain. If that happen, the orienteering skills will be very important to get out of the fog. The racers will also have to deal with the cold water of St-Laurence River that is rarely over 3°C.
The racers will get their maps on Wednesday after the Team Presentation Ceremony.
The event will be broadcast with GPS-Iridium satellite Tracking. Everyone on the planet will be able to follow their favourite team live on the www.coastraid.com. TV footage of the race will also be available everyday at www.enduranceaventure.tv
It will also be possible to cheer for your favorite team by sending them an e-mail at team@coastraid.com. The e-mail will be distributed to the teams every day.
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