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Adidas TERREX Prunesco Open up their Lead into the Karukinka Natural Park

Pete Clayden (PER) / 17.02.2012

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The Patagonian Expedition Race is now becoming a three horse race as the leading teams open up a gap on the rest of the field. The true gaps between teams are expected to be released today when race time is adjusted for the dark zone at CP4, when it's expected that the full extent of Adidas TERREX Prunesco's lead will become evident.</p>
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The team, led by New Zealander Sarah Fairmaid were taking no prisoners yesterday, exiting the first major trekking section at the RIo Grande over 4 hours ahead of East Wind and GearJunkie Yogaslackers and heading out for the fast 140km bike section through the Karukinka Natural Park to Lago Deseado, where the final, and complicated section of trekking begins. This will take them through the trail which NIGSA, the organizers of the race have just built in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society, before heading west into the Cordilerra Darwin.</p>
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It's now a race of three parts, with a second cluster of teams being led by Kauri, Cyanosis,  Selva Kailash and Vaucluse Lafuma and CUVA. Brazilian team Selva look well on their way to being the first team from South America to complete the Patagonian Expedition Race since it was first conceived ten years by former geologist, Stjepan Pavicic. Their friendly rivals from Chile are also still in the race, and as we know, anything can happen on the long treks so they may yet overtake them.</p>
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Further down the course, Four Continents, led by one of the real characters of the race, Taz Lawrie are still in the hunt, along with with Norcal, RedFox Goretex, Ad Natura and Dancing Pandas, Pata-Gonna-Get-Ya and the Chilean team, Alcatel - Adidas.</p>
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Four Continents captain, Taz Lawrie has worked hard over the last year to build a team which can finish this race, which he rates as the best adventure in the world. He's joined this year by one of the adventure photographers from last year; Sam Salwei. I talked to Sam before the race, and asked him what his expectations were 'Well, I'm not by nature competitive, but I'm determined, so we hope that between us, our qualities will get us to the finish'.</p>
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Many teams were still out on the bike leg at first light today, but this will work well as they should reach the technical sections of the trek during daylight, making the rope work easier but also allowing them to appreciate the beauty of the stunning Valle Profundo.</p>
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News came in this morning that the pre-race favorites, Finnish team Ulkoilun Maailma withdrew overnight.</p>
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Other news from race HQ is that the withdrawn teams Lontra Master, Go Crazy and Discovery and Research are now back in Punta Arenas, full of stories of their adventures while crossing the Straits of Magellan.</p>
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So, as the race enters its most significant phase, the question is, do Adidas TERREX Prunesco have the Patagonian Expedition Race trophy within their grasp once again?</p>

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