Explore Sweden Expedition Adventure Race 2009 - The 1000k Monster
And the Winner is ...
Mia Renz / 08.07.2009
FJS chased only one hour behind Lundhags during most of the race, but they never managed to catch up. “ We have had an incredible battle with FJS. It has been fun!� says team captain Mattias Nyström, tired but very happy after the finish.
But there was a long day leading up to this great finish for Lundhags.
Team Sole Herkules left on the raft at Westin Adventure just after midnight. They were in a rather good mood, but not because of the bike ride, which they didn´t like so much. “That stage has been tough. One gigantic bike ride one can handle, but two is one too many�, said the team just before they left on the raft to cross the river.
Other teams also had some issues with the last bike leg. “They could need four new sets of legs�, said the Helly Hansen UK assistant Nicola Wiseman at the TA in Sollefteå. The long cycling stage had been tough on the team. “But they have had fun.� As with all the teams they are affected by a lack of sleep, and so are the assistants. “We have had less sleep than the racers!� said Nicola Wiseman and continued with a big smile on her face; “We have been a mother to four babies!�
The Norwegian team Multitude Salomon had a great race until they started the second long cycling stage. Then they hit the famous wall of fatigue. “They have been forced to take two long breaks and had some food and sleep�, the assistant Benita Lundgren said. “But now the are okay and will reach the finish line�, she added.
Statkraft got their spirit back after the long cycle ride. “The mood is good and they have fire in their eyes again�, said the assistants, who also are very happy to escape the mosquitoes. Team captain Arvid Björkroth has overcome the problem with his hip and the long ride went well for the team. “We in support like long cycling�, said Håkan Wallgren with a smile.
Just the other night the assistant was assisted by the team for a change. The finish team assistant Ulla Silventoinen had some problems leaving TA 11. “I got a flat tire when leaving Ristafallet in the middle of the night, and I didn´t know if I had a spare tire�, she said. She didn´t know what to do when she saw a team coming down the road. “I thought I should ask them to tell my team that I had a flat tire, and then I saw that it was my team that was coming. They stopped and helped me, and it took an hour�. So, it was reversed roles in the team for a while.
In the afternoon team Rejlers-Kolmården arrived in great humor in Sollefteå. “They came in laughing. They have had a lot of fun during the night�, said Elisabeth Alenbrand who is one of the team assistants. The team found a cabin and took a break. Then Pär Alenbrand toasted his socks on the stove. That´s the reason for the big laugh.
They were in a great mood despite the fact that the girl in the team, Emilie Kiraly, broke a tooth just when they started the long ride. “Now we have an appointment booked at the dentist this afternoon�, Elisabeth said.
During the day the majority of the day teams did two loops around Sollefteå. The two loops finally divided the field, which surprisingly the long bike section didn\'t.
The Polish team of Speleo Salomon managed to get a small gap down to the fourth team. But then there were 6 teams really close togheter. The first loop was inlines and orienteering over Hallstaberget and secoond loop was trekking/climbing/swimming and then leaving the city for yet another mountain bike sction.
After an extremley tight race once again team FJS had to see themselves defeated by Lundhags. They have had a great race and gained on Lundhags towards the finish. “We made a serious attempt last night but they also increased their pace\" said FJS\'s captain Daniel Hansson, directly after finishing just after 21.00.
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