Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race has started!

Impression of preparing for the start in 20 minutes

News

11.2.2009, 15:00:00


(EN) The 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race blew away all expectations with wind gusts up to 70 kilometers an hour bringing meter high waves crashing against competitors kayaks as they embarked on the great journey.


It was all smiles though as the experienced field struggled away from the shore, glaciars in the background, for their first leg, a 90 kilometer kayak section bulging fat with spring melt. The conditions became so bad that race organizers had to close the section before entering the final stretch where waves were reaching over three meters.


The returning champion Easy Implant - MT-Compagnie.com of France lived up to expectations by finishing first, just ahead of team Helly Hanson - Prunesco of England.


The field wasted no time and departed on mountain bike for a 100 kilometer stretch surrounded by jagged, snow- capped peaks. Team Helly Hanson - Prunesco, first timer and late addition to the field, astounded spectators by pulling ahead of the French foursome - notorious for pulling ahead on bike - and finishing the second leg at 12:54 at night, 39 minutes ahead of France and the rest of the field.


Also arriving at the second checkpoint strong in the first hours of the morning were Trespass of Chile, - no Chilean team has ever finished the event – and France . Easy Implant - MT-Compagnie.com arrived second but with worry showing on their faces surely a result of the surprising speed of England´s Helly Hanson - Prunesco.


Helly Hanson took apart their bikes, packed, and slammed down some dried fruit, departing 32 minutes after arrival. They led the pack as they scrambled up hundreds of meters to a full-moon lit wall, ascending a vertical wall of more than 110 meters using brute strength before starting a 55 kilometer trekking section through dense forest and rain-soaked bogs.


Already one team is struggling to make the cut-off times. But no team has yet to give up. The upcoming trekking section is more technical as orienteering and navigation become imperative in a forest where visibility is often less than one meter. Only approximately two hours separated the departure of the top four teams from check point 2. It's anyone's race as we enter our second day. Racers will continue to be challenged greatly as the forest is enshrouded with an ominous hazy mist.


10.2.2009, 23:10:44The last wild race has started with over 80k/h wind in the Gray lake, with the Horn of Torres del Pain as a backdrop.The racers have to paddle a 90 km kayaking section and are expected to start a 100 km mountain bike journey.

Patagonian Expedition Race