The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge
The Kiwis Triumph
Anne-Marie Dunhill / 09.12.2009
Rope work was on the menu this morning on the top of Jebel Hafeet, a high mountain overlooking the plains. The climate was a welcome change to the scorching desert of yesterday as a heavy fog rolled in and a team commented that they couldn’t believe that they had even felt a few drops of rain. A fast run down the canyon to the mountain bikes had the racers concentrated on their footing as the rocks were razor sharp. In a previous edition there had been a serious accident in this treacherous section with a racer breaking his leg and collarbone.
At 11:00 the teams mounted their bikes for a fast 37km down the mountain, leaving the bikes in the Al Ain Palm Garden and ending with a flat out sprint to the Jahili Fort in the city center. In order to avoid the confusion that occurred last year, teams were allowed to leave the mountain bike enclosure according to their classification which meant that the winners crossed the finish line first. ADCO Australia had an unnerving moment when Gordon got a flat tire barreling down the mountain but they had enough of a lead over the French team Vibram Sport 2000 that this incident didn’t jeopardize their second place ranking.
A haunting call to prayer was heard throughout the city and then the teams stormed the fort and the race was over. Amidst hugs and all around congratulations for each team crossing the finish line, the ranking was announced and the top five places went to Qasr Al Sarab, ADCO, Vibram Sport 2000, Lundhags Adventure and Abu Dhabi Sports Council/Wilsa. The kiwis did it again this year with Richard Ussher’s team dominating the race from the start. ADCO New Zealand did a brilliant kiwi job as well, never once letting up on the pressure for their second place win. The French team of Jacky Boisset, Vibram Sport 2000 were satisfied with their third place, acknowledging that yesterday’s mountain bike section cost them dearly. Jacky and Myriam return to France to concentrate on the organization of their first raid in Font Romeu in March of next year. In total their were three French teams in the top ten.
Team SWECO from Sweden came in eleventh and Kristin was bitterly disappointed that they lost the tenth place to Buff Thermacool by just 18 minutes. In light of the injuries she suffered on the first day, the fact that they finished at all and in such a high ranking a stunning achievement and hopefully when the dust settles she will be able to appreciate this.
The awards ceremony was held in the garden of the Hotel Park Rotana and many Abu Dhabi dignitaries attended, including a member of the royal family. Photos were taken, stories and addresses exchanged and the buffet wolfed down at an impressive speed. Teams will be leaving as early as tonight, back to reality but with a treasure trove of memories most hope to return next year. As a member of Irish AR Denny said upon crossing the finish line, “Where do we sign up for next year?�.
The Sleepmonsters.co.uk team came in a very respectable twentieth place, never losing their smiles. Buff Thermocool were first of the European teams and Saadiyat Island took first for the Middle East and Africa. The infamous Yogaslackers were first of the North and South American teams and believe it or not the four of them did a series of yoga postures upon crossing the finish line. One of the French doctors watched, chuckling, and said that she was trying to figure out if that went against medical advice after such an adventure. It was amusing to watch the expressions of disbelief on the other exhausted racers’ faces.
The general consensus amongst the racers is that this third was an outstanding success and praise was high for the organization. I have a 02:05 flight to catch so that’s all for now folks!
SleepMonsters
