Patagonian Expedition Race
Tierra del Fuego Awaits
Lia Mitchell / 26.01.2012
For 2012, a field of 20 teams from over 20 countries will join us in Chilean Patagonia to compete for the honour of being the champions of the 10th Anniversary of PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE. The challenging course will include long sections of open water kayaking, snowy mountain passes, dark primordial forests and beautiful valleys which have never been touched by man. There will of course also be our famous and unique Patagonian specialty, the long time favourite for our teams – the turba.
Competitors can also look forward to an exceptional range of wildlife – condors, guanacos, wild horses and even beaver are sure to be encountered, as we take the teams through the best areas of Tierra del Fuego on our journey south.
More exciting news concerning this year's race is that Esri, the leader in GIS (geographic information systems) software, will be the Official GIS and Mapping Provider for the 10th Anniversary Patagonian Expedition Race.
As the GIS and Mapping Provider, Esri will be responsible for supplying software and training that will support all mapping projects carried out by NIGSA, the founders and event organizers of the Patagonian Expedition Race. Maps created with ArcGIS10 will be used by all competitors, race organizers, logistics crews, and the press as they manage, follow or navigate 2012’s remote course through Tierra del Fuego. This is an adventure that tests endurance and teamwork as they navigate over mountains, glaciers and through plains, native forests, turbals, rivers, lakes, and channels--All guided only by their orienteering abilities and the maps produced with the Esri software.
“The Patagonia Expedition Race explores two areas that Esri cares very much about,” said Jack Dangermond, President of Esri. “One is the use of maps and spatial thinking skills to navigate a difficult course. The other is to conserve the last wild regions of the world.”
As always for the teams, often the biggest challenge is in bringing together four people, often from different continents and with very different backgrounds and then building a cohesive team. We`ve had some great tales and stories from our teams about how they are preparing, which we`ll share with you as the race draws near, but suffice to say, many teams are taking advantage of the winter conditions in the northern US and Europe to do some serious cold weather preparation.
This year, we have one of the strongest fields we`ve ever assembled, and some hard choices had to be made during the selection process. As always, we look for that special ingredient, SPIRIT, in the team rather than just athletic ability or their sporting history. Interest in the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE is at an all time high.
Founder and Race Director Stjepan Pavicic had this to say ‘This year’s PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE will test the world’s strongest racers to their limit, in a true expedition and exploration of our beautiful and extraordinary country’. Stjepan remains committed to the values which have been part of the race since it was founded a decade ago. ‘This is the Last Wild Race, nowhere else can athletes compete in such pristine country, away from all the influences of modern civilisation. This is a race like no other’.
Welcome everyone, to the 10th anniversary of the adventure at the end of the world – The Last Wild Race!
SleepMonsters
