Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race 2010
Record field for 'The World's Toughest Race'
Will Gray / 22.01.2010
Last year's event, won by British team (and newly crowned Adventure Race World Champions) Helly Hansen-Prunesco, proved its reputation as the wildest race in the world when American Team Calleva became lost and had to be rescued after surviving on berries for four days.
This year the event will mark Chile's Bicentenary with 600km-plus of trekking, kayaking, climbing and cycling in the footsteps of explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Charles Darwin through the stunning Tierra del Fuego region of Chilean Patagonia.
Race organizer Stjepan Pavicic said: "Every year we explore new areas of Chilean Patagonia to make the race as scenic, wild and unexplored as possible, always at the limit of the possible. The historic average of teams crossing the finish line is below 50%, last year's race edition it was as low as 30% - so this year is going to be interesting!
"We have tried to develop a route with historical significance and one that will give competitors the best - and most challenging - experience of the most remote and pristine area of Chilean Patagonia.
"But the value of this race is not only in the physical and mental challenge; it is also in spreading a message to preserve this region. This year that message will be even stronger as the race will pass through Wildlife Conservation Society's reserve 'Karukinka', the conservation area we collaborate to preserve and develop in a sustainable manner."
Team Helly Hansen-Prunesco will lead a 60-strong field of men and women that includes teams from 12 nations all battling for the pride of victory. The 'Land of Fire' will provide competitors with challenging terrain of white-capped mountains in the Darwin Range, freezing glacier-fed waters in the legendary Beagle Channel and unpredictable sinking moss, known as peatbog, widely found in Patagonia.
The race, which is supported by the Chilean government and is the only adventure race partnered with an Olympic Committee, will donate all funds generated beyond the operating budget to conservation projects in the region. This year the event will be widely broadcast around the world thanks to a new partnership with broadcaster Hatch TV and distributor Quattro Media.
A full team list is not yet available, but some of those taking part are:
<b>Team Helly Hansen - Prunesco (UK)</b> - The reigning champions return with same team to defend the title. Female member, Nicola Macleod, is a reigning Adventure Racing World Champion.
<b>Team Eddie Bauer (USA)</b> - Druce Finlay and ex-Marine Valentin Chapa return after their epic battle for survival in 2009, bringing Druce's father Robert Finlay and Paulette Kirby, the oldest woman to compete in WPER 2010.
<B>Team East Wind (Japan)</b> - This is the first Japanese team ever to compete in WPER. Masato Tanaka, the team's captain, has been a professional adventure racer since 1994.
<b>Team Switzerland (Switzerland)</b> - Bernard Hug, captain of the first Swiss team to compete in WPER, has competed in 10 Iron Mans, the Raid World Championships, and the Adventure Racing World Championships.
<b>Untamed New England (Canada</b>) - Team member James Cameron is a wind energy engineer, passionate environmentalist ... and does not own a car!
<b>Gear Junkie (USA)</b> - Famous outdoor gear reviewer Stephen Regenold, also known as the Gear Junkie, will team up with three 'Yoga Slackers'.
<b>Team Nord Water (Finland)</b> - This Scandinavian team has two female members, Ingrid Stengard and Noora Pinola, a first for WPER.
<b>Fast and Light (UK)</b> - Team member Simon Fisher has an unlikely profession for an adventure racer - he is marketing manager for junk food giant Krispy Kreme Donuts.
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