Corsica Raid
Beautiful Corsica
Anne-Marie Dunhill / 17.05.2013
The nineteenth edition of the Corsica Raid starts early tomorrow morning. Twenty teams are converging on this beautiful island to participate in one of the most well established and possibly one of the most difficult stage races in Europe. It’s currently pouring down with rain and a harsh winter means that there will be several sections with knee-deep snow for the racers to deal with. Landing in Ajaccio airport was a sumptuous experience with a short landing strip on the ocean front.
The atmosphere in the camp grounds where the race HQ is located and teams are lodging is laid back for the moment. One senses that the race organization has the ballet of race logistics mastered. Former French adventure racing vice-champion Karine Baillet is here as well, working with the organizers to present the race on the film that will be produced during the week. She arrived directly from the Cannes film festival in a short fuchsia summer dress.
The information sent out by the race organizers last week stated that 10 nationalities will be present. The race distance will be 300 kilometers divided between several disciplines, for example 130 km of mountain biking, 55km of sea kayaking, 110 km on foot, 5km of canyon and rope works, etc. (Including an abseil of 80 meters under a waterfall on Wednesday). Given the its international reputation, the scenery promises to be stunning! The race has also been part of the Adventure Racing European Series for several years and international teams will competing with that in mind.
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