Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race 2010
Tight Battle At The Front On Day Two
News Release / 11.02.2010
The organisers had to act fast overnight to put emergency rations in place for the incoming racers with supplies were left stranded on the mainland after the ferry to the remote island was cancelled due to rough weather – but the lead group were not deterred and trekked on at rapid pace.
Race director Stjepan Pavicic was impressed by the strength of the leading teams and said: “The race has run to the time we expected given the good conditions we have had, and now the teams have divided into two big groups, with the leading teams that have escaped the pack competing very strongly.�
Cloudless skies over the wide open landscape offered spectacular views of the stars as the teams trekked into the night from CP3, with leaders Switzerland and second-placed Helly Hansen-Prunesco separated by just five minutes when they set off from the old sheep shearing building.
German Team Herbertz was third away, two hours later, followed by Untamed New England and Air Europa Bimont, from Spain. Every team had made it in by morning, but by the time the new day dawned there was already a new look to the leaderboard after a long night of trekking.
With the fourth checkpoint closed due to logistical issues, teams had set off in different directions, with some taking the gravel road rather than following the suggested route through the wild pampas, and by the time the leaders reached checkpoint five, it was Air Europa Bimont who came in first.
The Spaniards had gained two-and-a-half hours in a strong section that saw them take a 30-minute lead over Switzerland. Helly Hansen-Prunesco was 15 minutes further back while Team Herbertz, from Germany, had dropped back to a distant fourth ahead of Canada and GearJunkie.com.
After a 17km final section the first trek of the race, originally planned to be 57km, finished with the top three covered by just eight minutes at checkpoint six. Untamed New England arrived ahead, but after another trademark transition to the bikes that took just 19 minutes, Helly Hansen-Prunesco left first as the race headed into its second night.
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