| Sunday June 18th 2006 - PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE WINTER EDITION |
Punta Arenas, Southern Patagonia / Chile,
The Organization has received the racers that will participate in the first winter version of Patagonia Expedition Race.
Due to a number of reasons, the organization, racers and press have all been transported to the city of Puerto Natales; the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. The companies of this town have organized in record time all sorts of support and sponsoring the first winter Patagonia Expedition Race.
At 1500 hrs. In Puerto Natales and in the presence of the Armada de Chile, teams showed their skills during the technical examination of expedition kayaks. The tests were assisted by a speedboat owned by . At nightfall the reception and opening ceremony was held at the Restaurante El Maritimo also supported by .
The teams, press and organization were all accommodated at: Hostal Niko’s, , and Hostal Alcazar.
In the morning the Mandatory equipment was checked and a technical safety speech was held. The emergency kit was provided by the organization, it includes a sat phone, GPS and a VHF radio.
In the afternoon we moved on to , this is the second year they have helped out with Patagonia Expedition Race, the lodge is located in an old Estancia in the middle of steppe fields and pampas with a privileged view of the Paine Massif. Transportation was provided by and Transportes Niko’s .
After the supper offered by , teams and the tec teams and officials gathered for instructions of what would be the route of the first stage of PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE 1st WINTER VERSION.
| Wednesday June 21st 2006 – The first Winter Edition is on |
Distance (km) |
Trekking |
15 |
MTBike |
35 |
Kayak |
0 |
50 km |
At 0700 teams and organization alike have breakfast at . After the final preparations and with the break of dawn of southern winter, PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE WINTER VERSION officially begins. Its 09:05 and the racers start the first trekking of 15 Km through vast Patagonian steppe, its cold and a few hours ago it started snowing softly and clouds cover the majestic Torres del Paine.
We must mention that the energetic requirement in this kind of races is very high, due to elevated and long efforts in which racers are put under. Also if you add the cold weather and low temperatures and wind, all of this multiplies the energy loss… In this case you must have nutritious and energetic foods that can be easily assimilated by the body, has kindly provided this kind of food to PER this year.
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The competitors move along running in low vegetation, trying not to lose the course, in these huge extensions of land, orientation is very difficult because of the lack of reference points ... no mountains or geographic landmarks to navigate by triangulation. For this reason the trekking stage is a few Kms longer for some teams once off the planned route and misleading the shortest way between CP's.
Once on CP 4, where teams make their first transition, Trekking to Mountain bike, these are the current times.
Weather conditions have improved considerably, the sun is out and kindly shining into the spirits of the runners and organization.
In general, all teams made a fast transition, however, there is already a 40 minute gap between the first and last place.
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