Ecomotion/Pro
The Final Show Down
Louise Foulkes (ARWS) / 16.08.2013
To make an already difficult race event harder, the final two legs of the race are very long and difficult. The first is a 130km mountain bike leg while the second is a 54km kayak.
Ze Popo, the course director has been waiting for these legs. He says strategy is the key in both and good or bad decisions will make teams win or loose the race.
In the MTB leg, there are 7 major river crossings. Kayaks are provided at 2 of these for teams to shuttle their bikes across. Power boats are at the remaining 5. Teams must find the boat driver and put their bikes into the boat for the crossing.
The final stage of the MTB, between CP43 and 44 was the most strategic. Teams had the option of riding up the beach or via an inland route. Most of the top teams were at the start of this section close to low tide. All decided to use the inland route.
This decision saw 2 very frustrated race directors (Shubi and Ze) shaking their heads. If one of the teams had used this route it would be all over! The beach is like a highway at low tide. Even the local villager who drove the boat shook his head in confusion “why would they choose to go that way when they could ride down the beach.”
The decision also saw even more frustrated teams emerge to CP44 (the end of the MTB). “That was the worst section of biking I have done in my life” said Sophie from Team Seagate. It was primarily a hike a bike through thigh deep mud in the mangroves.
As all teams took the same route, it has had little impact on the over all standings.
The final leg is a 54km paddle. As straight forward as a “54 km paddle” sounds, it is far from it. There are huge tidal flows that will make the rivers close to impassable at low tide. Added to this, there is a network of rivers and creeks with several entrances to the ocean. It is hard to tell what is actually up stream or down or even which way the tides will be flowing. On top of this there will always be the option to portage to the Ocean and paddle on this.
At this point in time, Seagate have opted for the Ocean right from the start while Columbia Vidaraid have kept to the river. Seagate appear to be gaining on Columbia.
BMS is not to far behind Seagate. BMS have attached impressive looking sails to their kayaks. These should be a huge help as they are paddling almost directly down wind.
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