Adventure Racing World Championship 2016
Columbia Vidaraid Claim Third
Rob Howard / 13.11.2016
The 3rd team across the finish line of the AR World Championships today were the U.S. team, Columbia Vidaraid. The former world #1 team have had a down and up race, or more accurately a down, up and hang-on-in-there race.
They started slowly (for them) with paddling not being their greatest strength, then surged up the field once the trekking began. When the going got tough, this tough team got going.
Barbara Bomfim explained on the finish line. “We were behind and then we did the magic when we got trekking, it was really the only place we could get back to the front. But then we had given everything and we couldn’t move forward any more places.”
She was very complimentary about the course. “Wow, that trekking up in the mountains, and the rest of the course too, the coast and rivers. It is all so beautiful! We’ve had a good time out there and the stages were all a good length. We were not ever thinking this stage is going on for ever and ever. We would have liked some more difficult navigation, but are pleased with our result. We finished in 4 days and I guess that makes it more accessible for more teams. “
She is right. There are many, many more teams out there and we are only half way into the race – they have another 4 days to get to the finish line.
With the winners coming in just under 4 days it is perhaps the shortest winning time ever for a World Championship race, but it’s been a tough enough test of endurance for the elite teams, and gives the weekend warriors a chance to finish over the coming days.
The next team across the line are expected to be Naturex of France, still being hunted down by Painted Wolf (RSA), and behind them are Estonian ACE Adventure, who have had the frustration of sitting out a 2 hour penalty at the final transition, which almost certainly cost them 4th place.
Then come the first Australian teams, and there are two together, battling it out. Who will be the first home team over the line Shotz Sports Nutrition or Adventurejunkie.com.au.? We’ll find out soon as all these teams will finish fairly close together.
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