The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge
A World Class Competition
ADAC / 30.11.2009
Appearances can indeed be deceptive when it comes to the individual teams comprising the 2009 edition, but the depth of quality in this year's field is crystal clear. Some are instantly recognisable as big hitters on the international AR circuit, like SALOMON CRESTED BUTTE (USA), VIBRAM SPORT 2000 (FRA) and LUNDHAGS ADVENTURE (SWE), and some have seemingly cryptic 'noms de plume', based on new sponsorship deals. A closer look at ABU DHABI SPORTS COUNCIL/WILSA, QASR AL SARAB and ADCO, reveals one of France's powerhouse teams and last year's first and second finishing teams from New Zealand, respectively.
Racing alongside these probable pace setters are another 11 teams from last year's field: notably SPELEO SALOMON (POL), who will try to improve on their 15th place, IRISH AR DENNY ' CHRIS CAULFIELD who finished 20th in 2008 and ABU DHABI MUNICIPALITY (GER) who were just behind in 21st.
A task likely to be all the more difficult if this year's bouquet of 23 race rookies has anything to do with it. Pushing for prizes are a host of hopeful contenders mainly from the UAE, fielding 6 teams in all, and France, clocking in with 7.
They are joined by new teams from Russia (RUSSIAN AR TEAM), China (CHINESE DRAGONS), Holland (DOLPHIN TEAM XTREME) and Denmark (SUMMIT) just to mention a few. Also in the mix will be the four teams selected to compete through the ADTA Awards program and they, given the criteria for qualification, are certainly no slouches. This year's race is longer and, with this many teams involved, it is likely to be better too!
SleepMonsters
