Through a Stormy Night

Press Release / 17.08.2014

After a night of heavy rains in the Sant Marie area, during which the teams all suffered in the cold conditions, the race regrouped at Gold Flats on the Saint Joe River for a ‘dark zone’ in which the race and race clock are stopped, prior to starting a 38 mile paddle along the St Joe River. This included several sets of rapids including the notorious ‘Tumbledown’ which all the teams passed through, or round succesfully and without mishap. 

Team Yogaslackers from Bend OR, increased their lead over Idaho-based team Peaked Performance and barring accidents or illness, look set to take the victory on Saturday.

Yogaslackers team captain, Jason Magness said; "Tthis race is always hard, but we like hard, and that’s what we train for. We’re eneterd in the World Championships in Ecuador later this year, and races as hard as this are great training for the Worlds".

Peaked Performance were suffering more than usual when they arrived in transition at 3am on Friday morning, but a after a good sleep and warm food providec by the race Organisation, were up at 6:30 and ready for th next challenge.

All other teams are now racing on the shorter ‘sporting’ course, though they still have to dig deep into their reserves to finish each section. Lying in third place are team ‘Everyday Adventure', from Natchez, MS. They have slowed somewhat in the last day as fatigue and minor injuries have taken their toll. Despite this, they’re certain to finish and have been very excited by the wild country and weather that Idaho has served them up.

All teams are now finishing the kayak section and setting out for the final bike stage to Elsie Lake, where they will be held overnight for the final trekking section, which will take them to the summit of Silver Mountain, and which will coincide with the Brews and Blues festival.

Said Dave Adlard, the Race Organiser, "This has again been a memorable race, and we know the racers are going to get a kick out of the finish at Silver Mountain. It’s also been great preparation, both for the team’s and race staff for next years inaugrual ‘Expedition Alaska’, which will be an epic race, awesome even".

The first teams are expected to reach the finish at the Blues and Brews festival around mid-day.

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