Late evening, Saturday 9th February, took place the opening ceremony of the 5th version of the PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE at Antarctic Hall courtesy of . Most of the highest regional authorities and officials joined us for this gathering. We had the opportunity to witness the cheerfulness and excitement from not only the racers but from the organization and press as well. This became clearer during the closing cocktail, where we offered our guests Chilean Pisco Sour. We welcome you all to Austral Patagonia and be prepared for the wildest and southern most sport event on the planet.
Welcome to Southern Chilean Patagonia,
Welcome to nature and adventure
Welcome to the experience known as PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE!
We would like to give special thanks to , , , , , , , , , and , for putting up journalists, cameramen and photographers that have come from the four corners of the world to be part of the 5th edition of the PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE. In addition we thank , , , , and who provided us with not only good meals but with a warm and typical Magellan atmosphere.
Sunday 10th February. Kayak and rope test are carried out fulfilling all expectations. There is also a thorough compulsory gear checking for each discipline. Only team 12-Punta Arenas Chile, presents some difficulties during the kayak activities and therefore they will be able to paddle only if the conditions of the water are perfect. This is owing to the fact that they do no master the self rescue techniques.
Monday 11th February. During the morning the race Director Stjepan Pavicic, the kayak, mountain Directors and the chief doctor gather with the team captains to hand out the route book and the maps needed for the whole race.
9:30 AM. The 11 teams that are participating in the Patagonia Expedition Race 2008 gather up at the main square in Punta Arenas:
1- www.authentic-nutrition.com de Francia/Estados Unidos
2- Canarias - Andalucia Spiuk Tenerife de España
4- Untamet Adventure de Estados Unidos
5- Team Touareg Turk de Turkia
6- Quasar Contra Master de Brasil
7- Medilast Sport Lleida – Sky de España/Chile
8- Team Littleton Bike and Fitness de Estados Unidos/Canada
9- Club Patagonia.com de Argentina
11- Montagne Team de Argentina
12- Punta Arenas - Chile
14- Raid 74.org - Sky Airlines de Francia
10:00 AM: with the presence of government officials, as well as local and internacional press the racers set off with a symbolic starting point. The teams ride their bikes through town towards “Tres Puentes” port where the get on a ferry by courtesy of They will sail to the city of Porvenir on the island known as Tierra del Fuego, where most of the PATAGONIA EXPEDITION RACE 2008, the wildest expedition race, will take place.
14:10: As soon as the ferry lowers its ramp, the race to the end of the world has officially begun. The teams face the first track of 126 km, riding their bike from the city of Porvenir to CP “El Consejo” . Both, weather conditions and temperature are unusually nice to the racers. This first part, goes through breath taking montainous areas, assending from 0 to 540 M.A.S.L.
Is in this sector that the race passes by the historical site known as Rio del Oro (Gold River), where in 1878 there was a gold rush. The out come of the activities did not match the expectations, therefore the facilities were left behind and fell into oblivion.
23:55 hrs. The first data is sent via satellite phone courtesy of , Team 7- Medilast Sport Lleida – Sky from Spain and Chile is leading the race. At this point there is a difference of 3 hours between this team and the last one in competition.
From PC2 el Concejo to PC3 Rusffin The racers star the first trekking in Tierra del Fuego. There are only 18 rather easy kms. The journey goes through patagonic steppe with “Mogote” which is a dense, hard and round shaped plant. Due to the presence of this unique vegetation, the ground becomes uneven and can slow down the pace by making it hard to take firm steeps. To the south there are forest with fallen trees and beaver dams. Before the end of this track, there are 2 minor rivers which need to be crossed.
Since early morning, via satellite phone courtesy of , the first official news arrive from CP2 Rusffin. Meanwhile, the press follows the event on a vehicule courtesy of .
Team 7- Medilast Sport Lleida – Sky from Spain and Chile continues leading the race. In this CP they have a time breach of more than 7 hours between the first and the closing team. By now it has become clear who are the strongest, 4 teams are leading, then Brazil and Turkey are in an intermediate position and finally a group of 5 teams that are a bit behind. However, bear in mind that this is only the second day.
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