Raid International Gaspesie
Damn This Race is Fast!
Rob Howard / 07.09.2016
This morning’s press conference for the Raid International Gaspesie introduced the event and some of more experienced racers taking part.
The race is now in its third year and has grown rapidly, to the point where it was fully subscribed 5 months ahead, with the all-female teams jumping from one to 11 entries, with lots more local teams entering, and their biggest ever international entry. The prologue race for local teenagers has also seen a huge jump in entries, so much so that 200 will be racing tomorrow, and to support this, the race now has a team of 90 enthusiastic volunteers.
They also have lots of press and cameramen here so those of you following the live race page can expect to see plenty of photos and videos as teams explore Gaspesie. There will good dot watching too as the teams are all carrying YB trackers.
“We really want to show the wild side of Gaspesie in the race,” said Race Director Daniel Poirier, “and while we have been setting the course we have been out on our own, only seeing eagles and moose. We want the teams to have a great adventure – and the press too. We can promise you that you will get lost, get wet and break your gear – but in some wonderful places!"
“It won’t be so quiet at the transitions though – there may be 300 or 400 people from the local communities there cheering on the teams. We have 27 local teams taking part and the communities here are really a big part of the race.”
He introduced Uruguayan racer Ruben Mandure, a veteran of adventure races around the world, who is back in Gaspesie to race for the third time by promising he would repeat his now legendary comment made on video at the first event; “Damn, this race is FAST!” Compared to expedition races it will be a fast and furious competition, with teams resting up in camp each night, and Mandure told me later. “The Canadian teams are very good so I would expect to be racing behind them and we know on this course anything can happen.”
Also introduced were Mylaine Robichaud, who was in the first all-female team to compete, and Lyne Bessette who has been on the winning team before and hopes to be again. Robichaud said, “We didn’t know what we were entering at first, and thought we were mad, but we loved the competition and course and now lots more women are competing, which is great to see.”
Bessette is a former XC cyclist, having represented Canada internationally and said: “I did an adventure race with Daniel in 2006 and said I would never do another one again! But he invited to race in Gaspesie and I couldn’t say no, and now I love competing here.” Poirier added; “Lyne is great on a bike and on foot, and hopeless with a paddle so we know we’ll get some great video footage and comments when she comes out of a boat!”
With such a mix of local and international teams, it's hard to know how the race will pan out but wherever they are on the leaderboard, teams can expect Raid International Gaspesie to be fast and furious and fun.
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