Expedicion Guarani Starts on Paraguay River

Wladimir Togumi (www.adventuremag.com.br). Edited by Rob Howard / 25.08.2015

The start of the first edition of Expedicion Guarani, an adventure race of about 600 kilometers in Paraguay, took place on Monday. In a Le Mans style start participants ran up their canoes to paddle on the river Paraguay, which borders Argentina.

After a weekend of good weather, the conditions changed and the strong headwind and waves caused a new challenge for the expedition. To complicate matters bikes had to be taken on the canoes, and unstable by nature they were even more likely to overturn.

The teams were able to try and test the best way of carrying the bikes the day before, shortly after the prologue, which consisted of two athletes from each quartet swimming to Lambare island, opposite the hotel, and return paddling a canoe each, which will be the teams boat for the race.  Also the finishing order defined the position of the boat on the beach, making it easier to exit the water.

Several teams capsized their canoe in the river, including the Brazilian team Guanacos. Fernando Boccia said the team managed to reach the shore and paddle back out quickly, losing about 15 minutes. Another team overturned 5 times and was helped by the organization.

All controls at the racer are electronic, with each racer having a Sportident tag.  All athletes must "tag" at each checkpoint, preventing only one of the contestants finding the PC and checking in for the others. There is also a time limit between each participant tagging, and if there is too much time between the members of the team will be disqualified.

The teams received only some of the 26 race maps. The scales of canoeing and mountain biking sections are 1: 50.000 while trekking maps are in 1: 25.000, all updated by the organization.

One of the advantages of this race is that the organization offering water, isotonic and soft drinks at transitions.  At some transitions teams will also have meals available and bike servicing, including at TA5, where there is a mandatory stop for two hours.

Unfortunately for navigators these hours will pass very fast because this is where teams will receive the second set of maps.

The weather is much better than expected for those who are competing. The common sweltering heat in the region has given way to cloudy weather and more mild temperatures. In the evening, as usual, the temperature drops, but teams are unlikely to feel cold while moving.

The organization predicts that the first teams will cross the finish line on Thursday, but the pace that Adidas Terrex is expecting suggests the winners may come in earlier.

Originally published on www.adventuremag.com.br.

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