Patagonian Expedition Race
Early Snow Expected as the Race Turns South
Pete Clayden / 15.02.2012
After a massed start at at 6:30 am from PC 4 at the entrance to Whiteside Channel, to take advantage of the easier paddling conditions which usually prevail in the early morning teams were quickly across the water and through the transition at Port Arthur (PC 5). From here the going was relatively straightforward to PC 6 which was a food resupply and gear drop. First through and running were Adidas TERREX Prunesco, who commented that they were determined to open up distance early on their American rivals in GearJunkie Yogaslackers forcing them onto the defensive as the chasers.
The approach paid dividends as the second team to arrive were Japan’s East Wind, just under 30 minutes later. East Wind look very strong this year, back with the same lineup as last year but with even more experience than before. Masato Tanaka and his team have to be one of the most friendly, yet serious teams on the circuit, and this may be their year to take the top spot on the Patagonian Expedition Race podium. It’s certainly what they have their sights on!
As East Wind left the transition, Vaucluse Lafuma were just coming in, and were back out in just 15 minutes. Captain of Vaucluse Lafuma Vincent Bouchut had been disappointed last year when the course was shortened, as he’d felt his team was in a strong position to take back the time on GearJunkies. This year they look strong and well prepared and have trained in hard conditions to be ready.
Next through were Ad Natura, always a favorite of the people in Punta Arenas, which has a large population of people who consider themselves as much Croatian as they do Chilean. Hot on their heels were CUVA, who are obviously not letting the last minute line-up change slow them down, but when it came to speed, GearJunkie Yogaslackers were the ones to watch, though arriving sixth, they sped though and were the third team to leave, just over an our behind their main rivals.
NorCal Adventure, formerly known as Perdido en Turbal slipped into PC 6 just after South African team Cyanosis. Strong, assertive and focused, Cyanosis, led by Nick Mulder are an interesting contrast to Tim Kuensters team, with it’s well organized but chilled out approach. NorCal are the only team racing this year with a 50/50 split on male to female racers.
RedFox Gore-tex, Selva Kailash and Kauri all arrived close together, soon followed by Dancing Pandas, and the young British team; Pata-Gonna-Get-Ya who flew through transition in just 11 minutes before heading for the next 50 kilometers of trekking, through PC 7 to the bike transition at Rio Grande, where the first teams are expected on the afternoon of the 17th.
Others teams which are now through PC 6 are Ulkoilun Maailma, Four Continents and Chilean team, Alcatel Adidas. Overnight temperatures have fallen in the Magallanes region over the last few days, with early snow seen from PC 1, and over 30cm reported in the Valle Profundo, where the complex ropes section has been set up. The Patagonian Expedition Race never fails to disappoint us with dramatic weather and this year looks like no exception. Dress up warm teams, it’s going to be a cold night!
Race time remains provisional, so isn’t being published until adjustments have been made for the dark zone at PC 4.
SleepMonsters
