I've done a basic summary of our race expenses so that we can see how much this race cost us to do; and roughly how much it would cost you to do it in 2010.
Clothing
We just went for tops (2 x short sleeve, 2 x long sleeve and 2 x light fleece pullovers) as bottoms are a lot more personal preference and everyone has black shorts/tights. Race conditions are warm, so we didn't need to go crazy on clothing. That helped. Total was R950pp (girls got off at around R900 because our short sleeve tops cost less). We were very fortunate to receive our clothing from First Ascent at wholesale prices.
Additional gear
We all needed toget Petzl Shunts. Three of us needed mountaineering helmets. All needed leather gloves for the rope sections. Three of us got bigger hydration reservoirs (3l). We all needed waterproof matches and bigger space blankets. I needed a bigger knife to conform to race specifications. Chris got a trekking pole. We all needed double lanyards. Three needed travel towels and additional drybags. On average, for the main stuff we all needed, it probably amounted to anything between R2000 - R3000 per person. We got our gear through Petzl and Ram Mountaineering at wholesale prices.
The compulsory gear lists are pretty minimal - how much you need to get will depend on how much you have already.
Three of us also attended 3 x paddle coaching sessions. Total of R450 each.
Another expense was goods for the first aid kit. They gave us quite a list and we had to have double of most things. I don't know what we spent here. We didn't use any of it.
Food
My race food cost me about R650.00. I spent more though because I still have leftovers, which I didn't pack. I'll use this for other races. Bars and gels up your expenses quickly.
Before the race we got rolls, chicken, tomatoes, cheese for lunches (spent about R500 in total). We ate three meals at restaurants - around R140pp each time per person.
So, we're looking at around R1250.00 per person for food (race food and pre- and post-race).
Hotels
Accommodation in Abu Dhabi is VERY expensive. We arrived on the Tuesday morning; so that night was for our own expense (the race accommodated us from the Wednesday). This cost us just over R1300pp sharing, excl. breakfast. The race accommodated us after the finish on the Wednesday night (at the Hilton in Al Ain!). We were only flying on the Friday at noon so the Thursday was for our own expense. The cheapest hotel we could find cost us around R930pp sharing, incl. breakfast. So, this was almost R2300.00 each just on two nights accommodation.
Transport
Public transport infrastructure is good; but travelling is difficult with three big and heavy race crates and four people. Buses only take you to the bus/taxi depots. We learned how to find cheaper rides but they are not always convenient. We spent around R1500 in total on buses and taxis to and from airports, hotels and also our trip to Dubai (which was the cheapest!).
Summary (per person)
Transport - R375.00
Hotels - R2,300.00
Food - R1,250.00
Clothing (tops) - R950.00
Additional gear - R2,500.00
Paddle coaching - R450.00
TOTAL - R7,825,00 per person
Entry and flights were covered by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority as part of their Awards programme. We were one of 5 teams to receive this. If we'd had to pay the costs would have been:
Race Entry (3500 EURO): R48,000.00
Flights (Joburg - Abu Dhabi on Etihad): R6,000.00pp (R24,000.00 for team)
So, if we included race entry (R12,000.00 each) plus flights (R6,000 each) = R18,000.00 each.
So, the overall total then would come to almost R26,000.00 per person. And, as the race provides boats and bikes you won't get hit with extra luggage costs, which is R200/kg; we came in under our luggage allowance!
Comparatively this is brilliant for a 6-day, mostly catered (5-Star catering too!), international adventure race. And, this is a race I can 100% recommend whether you're a competitive or social team. This race is not a slog-fest and it is very doable, even by inexperienced teams; it has a touch of luxury. Awesome experience and event.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
What to eat during the race?
Food lists became an interest to me when I started doing self-sufficient staged ultra marathons. You have to carry all your food and clothing and equipment for the 5 or 7 days from start to finish. So, weight becomes important. The race regulations specify that you have to pack at least 2000kcal/day. Although you won't die, I find that I feel hungry on Day 3.
Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge was a bit different in that catered dinner and breakfast was provided by race organisation on the 1st, 3rd, 5th nights - and after the finish. We then had to provide snacks and munchies for all the days and dinner for nights 2 and 4 (breakfast for the mornings too). We ate a lot this trip.
I've got a spreadsheet, which I've added to over the years. It contains lists of foods I like for races (and that don't need to be cooked) as well as portion weight; protein, carb and fat content; and calorie contribution.
This time around I put together my food packets and then, out of interest, I added them to my spreadsheet, which I've pasted below. I ate almost everything except a few protein bars, gels and Rehidrates. My worst thing was the USN Hi-Energy bar (unpalatable chocolate cement) and my winning food was the Jungle B'fast cereal with a dash of Cape Creamy soy milk powder. Add 200ml water to the ziploc bag, shake, bite a hole in the corner and suck. Yummy! (Banana and honey flavour cereal).
Click to open the table of foods.
Garth's race food delights included packets of crisps, especially things like Big Corn Bites, Fritos and Niknaks. Lauren had quite a lots of peanuts and raisins mixed with other nuts and corn nuts. I'm quite partial to corn nuts too - great crunchy texture.
Of interest, Tweet said they took 7-8kg of food per person for EcoMotion. Remember that they would have been providing food for themselves 24hr/day, whereas we had a number of meals provided.
Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge was a bit different in that catered dinner and breakfast was provided by race organisation on the 1st, 3rd, 5th nights - and after the finish. We then had to provide snacks and munchies for all the days and dinner for nights 2 and 4 (breakfast for the mornings too). We ate a lot this trip.
I've got a spreadsheet, which I've added to over the years. It contains lists of foods I like for races (and that don't need to be cooked) as well as portion weight; protein, carb and fat content; and calorie contribution.
This time around I put together my food packets and then, out of interest, I added them to my spreadsheet, which I've pasted below. I ate almost everything except a few protein bars, gels and Rehidrates. My worst thing was the USN Hi-Energy bar (unpalatable chocolate cement) and my winning food was the Jungle B'fast cereal with a dash of Cape Creamy soy milk powder. Add 200ml water to the ziploc bag, shake, bite a hole in the corner and suck. Yummy! (Banana and honey flavour cereal).
Click to open the table of foods.
Garth's race food delights included packets of crisps, especially things like Big Corn Bites, Fritos and Niknaks. Lauren had quite a lots of peanuts and raisins mixed with other nuts and corn nuts. I'm quite partial to corn nuts too - great crunchy texture.
Of interest, Tweet said they took 7-8kg of food per person for EcoMotion. Remember that they would have been providing food for themselves 24hr/day, whereas we had a number of meals provided.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Our race photos
A collection of photos from the race are available on Flickr. The photos won't be online indefinitely, but they'll be there at least for the next few months.
If you click through each of the images, you'll get the captions too. If you put them on slideshow view you'll see the photos without the captions.
We'll be doing a show-and-tell evening at Adventure Racing Club in Joburg next year, probably in February.
If you click through each of the images, you'll get the captions too. If you put them on slideshow view you'll see the photos without the captions.
We'll be doing a show-and-tell evening at Adventure Racing Club in Joburg next year, probably in February.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Home sweet home and thank you
We are safely back in South Africa and have almost all gone our separate ways. Garth is with me tonight; he flys back to East London in the morning.
This race and trip has been a very special experience for each of us. My special thanks go to Lotta, from the organising company Saga Events. We first met in 2005 when I went to France as media for the Raid World Champs. Lotta kindly remembered me and our country way down in the South of Africa and generously facilitated our coming over. Elise handled all our visas and flight bookings, also answering our race questions.
Hand in hand with Lotta is the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority who put up their special Awards for teams, who have not competed internationally, to attend their event. This initiative contributes to the sport of adventure racing as a whole, and not just this event. We cannot begin to express our appreciation for this opportunity suffice to say a huge thank you for your vision and generosity in making this possible for us.
Friends and family at home, thank you for your support and encouragement during the race and through the months of our race preparation. It is great just knowing you are in our corner willing us through each stage.
To all the friendly South Africans from the city, islands, stages, desert and every where else we encountered you, thank you for making the effort to find us, say hello and cheer us on. A special thanks to Wendy, Lizane for taking us sightseeing in Dubai. It really is a tribute to the friendly warmth of South Africans in sharing their time and hearts with a team of strangers. Thank you.
There is adventure racing and there is the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. It is an exceptional race made distinctive through its staged format, 5-Star cuisine on nights catered by the event, brilliant organisation and logistics and warm hospitality and the social vibe. But, make no mistake, although this race lets you sleep and the catered meals will blow your mind, it is still a tough physical adventure sport event. The competitive race upfront is unbelievably fast and the athletes are incredible.
As for the race setting... The clear waters of the Gulf, the magnificent desert islands and, of course, the Lewa desert will have you gaping. I preferred Abu Dhabi to Dubai, its smaller but more well known brother; and unlike this popular sibling Abu Dhabi is not all malls and hotels (though there are enough of these, with more coming). Abu Dhabi has all of these wonderful outdoor pursuits, especially paddling and desert trips, to offer visitors.
Finally, my teammates. Thank you firstly for applying to join me on this race. It is usually trying enough to race with friends or an established team, yet you took the chance on me, my choice of teammates for us, this unusual opportunity and our mix-match team.
Lobby, Garth and Chris, you are all special racers with open hearts, well rounded abilities and skills, initiative and warm and kind personalities that will complement any team you join or create.
I could not have been more fortunate than to spend this time and racing experience with you.
That's about it from me. Over the next few days I'll post some stuff on what we ate, photos, GPS tracks from the desert trek and other bits.
Till then, enjoy the weekend.
Sent using my Sony Ericsson C902
On the way home
Sent using my Sony Ericsson C902
Thursday, December 18, 2008
On the way to Dubai for the day
The race provided a shuttle back to Abu Dhabi but our option was 6am or late afternoon so although we only got to crawl into out Hilton beds after 1am and get up at 5, it was a good call.
We have just dropped our crates at our hotel and are in a taxi (South African style) to Dubai. Our plan is to take an open bus for a city tour. We will also hook up with Bennie and also Francois, a new friend from the race (French living in Dubai).
We will be back in Abu tonight and flying good at noon tomorrow.
We are all well post race with few after effects other than needing to feed regularly. Haha.
Always sad to get to the end of a race and especially an experience like this. We have made new friends and hope to see them again at another race in conver place. For the four of us it is nice to have this time together now to sightsee and play.
Have a good day y'all.
Sent using my Sony Ericsson C902
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Media release: DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) wins gripping duel
Al Ain – 17th December – Richard USSHER, captain of DESERT ISLANDS (NZ), draws on the experience and talents of his teammates to complete an error free final day, inspiring his team all the way to the finish at Al Ain to win the 2008 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.
6 days ago, the 36 teams competing in the 2008 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge set out from Abu Dhabi city to cover a 361km adventure racing course that would not only test their capacity for physical and mental endurance but also take them on a journey of discovery, as they kayaked, biked and trekked across some of Abu Dhabi’s most remarkable and treasured natural attractions. From the very start on Corniche Beach, competition among the teams was fierce but it was impossible to predict how tight the race would be by the time the teams reached the garden city of Al Ain for the final showdown on the last day. With only 63 seconds between the first and second teams and 2 seconds separating third and fourth, the contenders for the podium places would have to give of their best and remain focussed for the duration of the final three sections of this 6-day race.
At 06:00 this morning, in the shadow of the Jebel Hafeet Mountains, the teams raced away on their bikes from the bivouac in Green Mubazzarah up the smooth tarmac road that twists and turns 12km to the 1000m summit of this a jagged rock formation that rips across the skyline east of the city. At the outcome TEAM NZ (NZ) were squeezed into 4th fastest allowing race leaders DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) to stretch their slim race lead to just over 3 minutes. French team SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA) managed the third fastest over this section, taking advantage of a puncture that slowed rivals WILSA HH (FRA), to finish 8 minutes ahead of their compatriots and subsequently steal 3rd place.
On the following section, comprising a 14.5km trek across rocky tracks interspersed with some breathtaking rope works, one of which was a spine-tingling 200m abseil, DESERTS ISLANDS (NZ) finished third but were still widening the narrow gap between themselves and second place TEAM NZ, who clocked in 28 seconds slower. SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA) were elated with their performance on the ropes, putting a further 6 minutes on WILSA HH (FRA) and virtually securing the last podium place.
The final 27km bike ride into the finish at the historic Jahli Fort in the centre of Al Ain would determine the outcome for the team that had taken the race lead on the first day, DESERT ISLANDS (NZ), and clung to it throughout the 6 days, staving off repeated, strong challenges from compatriots TEAM NZ. Making sure they kept out of trouble by racing slightly to the side of the speeding peloton, this remarkable quartet of Elina and Richard USSHER, Jarad KOHLAR and Jay HENRY produced a flawless finish to what had been a flawless race.
Final Ranking – Top 5
1 DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) 39:18:20
2 TEAM NZ (NZ) 39:25:23
3 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA) 39:31:42
4 WILSA HH (FRA) 39:46:345 NIKE (USA) 40:06:20
6 days ago, the 36 teams competing in the 2008 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge set out from Abu Dhabi city to cover a 361km adventure racing course that would not only test their capacity for physical and mental endurance but also take them on a journey of discovery, as they kayaked, biked and trekked across some of Abu Dhabi’s most remarkable and treasured natural attractions. From the very start on Corniche Beach, competition among the teams was fierce but it was impossible to predict how tight the race would be by the time the teams reached the garden city of Al Ain for the final showdown on the last day. With only 63 seconds between the first and second teams and 2 seconds separating third and fourth, the contenders for the podium places would have to give of their best and remain focussed for the duration of the final three sections of this 6-day race.
At 06:00 this morning, in the shadow of the Jebel Hafeet Mountains, the teams raced away on their bikes from the bivouac in Green Mubazzarah up the smooth tarmac road that twists and turns 12km to the 1000m summit of this a jagged rock formation that rips across the skyline east of the city. At the outcome TEAM NZ (NZ) were squeezed into 4th fastest allowing race leaders DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) to stretch their slim race lead to just over 3 minutes. French team SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA) managed the third fastest over this section, taking advantage of a puncture that slowed rivals WILSA HH (FRA), to finish 8 minutes ahead of their compatriots and subsequently steal 3rd place.
On the following section, comprising a 14.5km trek across rocky tracks interspersed with some breathtaking rope works, one of which was a spine-tingling 200m abseil, DESERTS ISLANDS (NZ) finished third but were still widening the narrow gap between themselves and second place TEAM NZ, who clocked in 28 seconds slower. SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA) were elated with their performance on the ropes, putting a further 6 minutes on WILSA HH (FRA) and virtually securing the last podium place.
The final 27km bike ride into the finish at the historic Jahli Fort in the centre of Al Ain would determine the outcome for the team that had taken the race lead on the first day, DESERT ISLANDS (NZ), and clung to it throughout the 6 days, staving off repeated, strong challenges from compatriots TEAM NZ. Making sure they kept out of trouble by racing slightly to the side of the speeding peloton, this remarkable quartet of Elina and Richard USSHER, Jarad KOHLAR and Jay HENRY produced a flawless finish to what had been a flawless race.
Final Ranking – Top 5
1 DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) 39:18:20
2 TEAM NZ (NZ) 39:25:23
3 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA) 39:31:42
4 WILSA HH (FRA) 39:46:345 NIKE (USA) 40:06:20
Canyoneeneering was fabulous
We have just been transported from the bottom of the canyon to the finish. We waited just over 2.5hrs to do the abseil and because of this every team from 24th was lifted to the end because we have to start the final mountain bike at 2pm. This has actually been delayed by thirty mins because of the ropes delay. So we, and the other twelve teams also transported get the time of the slowest team plus an hour or so. It doesnt really affect us much.
Bennie (now with Salomon in Abu Dhabi) is here with us and he will be through to see us at the finish.
The final bike is all that is left. We start soon.
Sent using my Sony Ericsson C902
Mountaineering and ropes
Stunning mountaineering on Jabel Hafeet. First had a ride 13km uphill. The guys dragged of all the way up. Lobby was a star.
The trek up here was stunning and now we are waiting at the top of the mountain to do am abseil and a traverse through a dry canyon. Still quite a distance before we get back to the start. Then we ride to Al Ain, about 20km to the finish.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Media release: Ranking tight after night in the desert
Al Ain – 16th December – As night fell, the leading teams embarked on the remaining 44km of the desert trekking stage, each one hoping to find the combination of speed and guile needed to break the deadlock in the overall ranking.
As the fastest teams arrived at the finish line in Hassab on the penultimate day’s racing, the top five on this year’s Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge remained virtually unchanged, despite breaking all the records on was an astonishingly fast but arduous 107km through the Rub al Kahli (Empty Quarter). A short burst of speed over the last kilometre earned the French of SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY the fastest time, coming in at 3:40am. Jacky BOISSET and his crew completed this section in 20h28’:06. Rest period management had been already cited as the key to success in this stage: "We approached this as if it were a series of 10 short stages of around 10 kilometres each with rest periods ranging from 40 minutes to 2h30," explained the French captain. Barely seconds behind came TEAM NZ (NZ) who had done their best in an effort to arrest the race lead from compatriots DESERT ISLANDS (NZ), who came in 5th, but without success. “We ran well through the night with a group of teams and managed to edge ahead but we decided to wait for NIKE (USA) at one rest point which allowed Richard USSHER’s team to close the gap again,” confessed Gordon WALKER.
NIKE themselves were next in, taking third best time, a fitting reward for having raced throughout the night alongside the other leading teams and allowing navigator Chris FORNE to act as pathfinder. “We spent the whole night with a group of around 5 teams following Chris FORNE. He just kept going, selflessly blazing a trail across the dunes,” Marcel HAGENER of WILSA HH (FRA), the 4th finisher, proclaimed. The convoy of five race leaders may well have come in all within 2 minutes of each other but doing so required taking some risks: “We were going really well until at one point we made a route choice that put us out of sync with the front teams. We rectified the error and came back hard to stay in contention,” confessed Richard USSHER, captain of DESERT ISLANDS (NZ).
As things stand, the two Kiwi teams most in the running for first and second are a mere 60 seconds apart and only two seconds separate the two French teams looking good for third place! An incredible state of affairs after 35 hours of intense and relentless competition.
As they finished during the course of the day, the teams were transferred by bus to Al Ain, in readiness for the final and decisive day, involving a 12km MTB grind from Green Mubazzarah to the top of Jebel Hafeet Mountain, a 14.6km trek with a breathtaking 200m abseil in the middle and a final, nail-biting bike sprint to the finish at the beautiful and historic Jahili Fort in the city centre.
Top 5 after Section E – Desert Trekking – 107km
1 DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) 35h40:47
2 TEAM NZ (NZ) 35h41:50
3 WILSA HH (FRA) 35h58:12
4 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA) 35h58:14
5 NIKE (USA) 36h24:45
As the fastest teams arrived at the finish line in Hassab on the penultimate day’s racing, the top five on this year’s Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge remained virtually unchanged, despite breaking all the records on was an astonishingly fast but arduous 107km through the Rub al Kahli (Empty Quarter). A short burst of speed over the last kilometre earned the French of SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY the fastest time, coming in at 3:40am. Jacky BOISSET and his crew completed this section in 20h28’:06. Rest period management had been already cited as the key to success in this stage: "We approached this as if it were a series of 10 short stages of around 10 kilometres each with rest periods ranging from 40 minutes to 2h30," explained the French captain. Barely seconds behind came TEAM NZ (NZ) who had done their best in an effort to arrest the race lead from compatriots DESERT ISLANDS (NZ), who came in 5th, but without success. “We ran well through the night with a group of teams and managed to edge ahead but we decided to wait for NIKE (USA) at one rest point which allowed Richard USSHER’s team to close the gap again,” confessed Gordon WALKER.
NIKE themselves were next in, taking third best time, a fitting reward for having raced throughout the night alongside the other leading teams and allowing navigator Chris FORNE to act as pathfinder. “We spent the whole night with a group of around 5 teams following Chris FORNE. He just kept going, selflessly blazing a trail across the dunes,” Marcel HAGENER of WILSA HH (FRA), the 4th finisher, proclaimed. The convoy of five race leaders may well have come in all within 2 minutes of each other but doing so required taking some risks: “We were going really well until at one point we made a route choice that put us out of sync with the front teams. We rectified the error and came back hard to stay in contention,” confessed Richard USSHER, captain of DESERT ISLANDS (NZ).
As things stand, the two Kiwi teams most in the running for first and second are a mere 60 seconds apart and only two seconds separate the two French teams looking good for third place! An incredible state of affairs after 35 hours of intense and relentless competition.
As they finished during the course of the day, the teams were transferred by bus to Al Ain, in readiness for the final and decisive day, involving a 12km MTB grind from Green Mubazzarah to the top of Jebel Hafeet Mountain, a 14.6km trek with a breathtaking 200m abseil in the middle and a final, nail-biting bike sprint to the finish at the beautiful and historic Jahili Fort in the city centre.
Top 5 after Section E – Desert Trekking – 107km
1 DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) 35h40:47
2 TEAM NZ (NZ) 35h41:50
3 WILSA HH (FRA) 35h58:12
4 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA) 35h58:14
5 NIKE (USA) 36h24:45
Trek update
That was a long and sandy trek. Although we led from behind we had a really excellent hike with a consistent pace and many stops to get sand out of our shoes. No matter what you do the powder fine sand gets in. It is beautiful on the sanddunes but it doesnt stay there!
Yesterday we had a decent hike and decided to got for the first optional point. We were likely to only go for one so we thought it best to do the first. We did a slight detour that probably cost us 30min. We had stopped at a pan to clear our shoes and when we got up we followed some car tracks and not the foot "highway" that had led the way from the start. I actually think we lost the highway (how I dont know) before we stopped. Anyway, it just meant a climb up the dunes and over to the other side. That was our one bloopse and at least it wasn't too serious.
So we hit the optional checkpoint and made our way to the compulsory. Lobby and I ran out of water with about 2hrs to go. We got sips from the guys but with still almost and hour to go in the afternoon heat we were all out. When we got in the checkpoint we all downed a litre of water without blinking.
We set off just as it was getting dark for a really amazing hike at night. When it is cooler the sand gets more firm.we set our sights on a star aligned in the next checkpoint direction and just headed for it.
We stayed at the checkpoint for about 40mins, adding to the compulsory rest time that we had to log. We completed the 6hrs rest at the last compulsory checkpoint, which we reached before 3am
We slept for about 3.5hrs and were off, in the thick mist before 8am.
Navigation has been minimal this race and during the day yesterday as there was this footprint highway for most of it. Last night and today we mostly took our own routes and I felt better for it.
We have all got tender feet and a small blister or three. Overall I am very proud of our team. Chris says he is a good runner but a bad hiker. Not at all. This was his first big hike and the conditions were tough. The sand was soft in most places, especially during the heat of the day and we were constantly up and down dunes and having to clean out our shoes. His feet are in good condition and he did brilliantly.
This desert is a sight worth seeing. The colours of the sand are spectacular. We also loved running down the steep slippy slopes as we dropped down into the flat dry pans. When you run down the sand makes a loud noise. Sounds like a plane engine overhead and you can feel the vibration. We call it making the sand monsters howl.
We are now on a 4hr bus trip to Al Ain. As you can imagine, a bus filled with racers who have just finished more than 24hrs smells like hell. We are looking forward to showers and clean clothes. We had quick showers at the finish but are wearing our stinky race clothes. Nasty.
Need a snooze. And again. We cant express our appreciation enough for Mark and the other South Africans who came to find us and see us through to the finish. That was really special for us. Thank you guys.
Sent using my Sony Ericsson C902
Trek done
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Media release: Sun and sand take a toll
Hassab – 15th December – At 7h00 this morning the 36 teams set out in a thick veil of fog from Moreeb Dune with the prospect of a 36-hour struggle with the sands on this massive 107km desert trekking stage.
At 07:00 this morning, the 36 teams, equipped with gaiters, loose-fitting trousers, wide brimmed hats and faces smeared with sun-block, set off on a 107km trek through the Liwa Desert, one of the most daunting stages of this 6-day competition. After a night spent in the bivouac at Moreeb Dune, the athletes awoke to a thick fog masking from view the towering dunes of the Rub al Kahli. The unanticipated “pea-souper” was a welcome rarity as it blocked the heat of the rising sun and shed a layer of moisture across the sand, hardening the surface in the process. Some teams even found that the lack of visual landmarks made the task of finding a viable route through the dunes more complex.
With having to rely on the GPS to help them though the dense mist, some teams were reduced to picking their around dunes until, at around 10:00, the sun broke through and the mercury began to rise. The fastest teams alternated between running and trekking. So advantageous were the flat stretches that the teams would alter their “optimal” trajectory to hit as many of these relatively smooth areas as possible in an effort to gain a maximum of time no their adversaries.
5 hours 38 minutes into the stage, the sun had already pummelled the teams into a panting and perspiring mass strung out across the dunes in several tight clusters. As they crossed the salt flat leading to CP 4, another welcome opportunity to grab some bottles of water and stave off the possibility of a crippling dehydration, an epic struggle was already taking place between the leading teams. First to check in, by the slimmest of margins, was TEAM NZ (NZ), literally comingled with the fastest French, SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY, and Kiwi archrivals DESERT ISLANDS (NZ). All three picked up some water before collapsing into the first fragment of shade available to discuss tactics and recuperate for the arduous task ahead. NIKE (USA), pushing hard to make up the time separating them from a step on the podium, came in 2 minutes behind the section pace setters and a stream of teams, already displaying signs of creeping exhaustion, followed them in at regular intervals over the next 16 minutes. Surprisingly enough, ADCO AROC (AUS) after looking poised to take the race by storm with their excellent result on yesterday’s sea-kayaking stage putting them into 3rd overall, came in over an hour off the front of the race looking somewhat dejected.
20km further on, at CP5 (63km), TEAM NZ (NZ) were still pulling the train, taking 9h11 to cover the distance (with 3h39 of rest time). DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) followed with a three-minute gap (3h45 rest) along with NIKE (USA - 3h37 rest), and SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY 8 minutes behind (9h19 and 3h30 rest). SALOMON SANTIVERI (ESP), having laid low for most of the race up until now, showed their true talents overland putting in the 5th fastest time to this part of the course in 9h26 (3h14) ahead of WILSA HH (FRA - 9h30 racing and 3h18 rest).
With the prospect of another moonlit night in store, the athletes switched on their headlamps at around 18:00 and raced through the dark. Early tomorrow morning at Hassab, we shall see the outcome of their efforts.
Section E – Times at CP 5 - 63km
1 TEAM NZ NZ 09:11:00
2 DESERT ISLANDS NZ 09:14:00
3 NIKE US 09:14:00
4 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY FR 09:19:00
5 SALOMON SANTIVERI ES 09:26:00
6 WILSA HELLY HANSEN FR 09:30:00
7 ORION HEALTH.COM NZ 09:34:00
8 LUNDHAGS ADVENTURE SE 09:47:00
9 SALOMON / CRESTED BUTTE US 09:49:0010 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM LAFUMA FR 10:29:00
At 07:00 this morning, the 36 teams, equipped with gaiters, loose-fitting trousers, wide brimmed hats and faces smeared with sun-block, set off on a 107km trek through the Liwa Desert, one of the most daunting stages of this 6-day competition. After a night spent in the bivouac at Moreeb Dune, the athletes awoke to a thick fog masking from view the towering dunes of the Rub al Kahli. The unanticipated “pea-souper” was a welcome rarity as it blocked the heat of the rising sun and shed a layer of moisture across the sand, hardening the surface in the process. Some teams even found that the lack of visual landmarks made the task of finding a viable route through the dunes more complex.
With having to rely on the GPS to help them though the dense mist, some teams were reduced to picking their around dunes until, at around 10:00, the sun broke through and the mercury began to rise. The fastest teams alternated between running and trekking. So advantageous were the flat stretches that the teams would alter their “optimal” trajectory to hit as many of these relatively smooth areas as possible in an effort to gain a maximum of time no their adversaries.
5 hours 38 minutes into the stage, the sun had already pummelled the teams into a panting and perspiring mass strung out across the dunes in several tight clusters. As they crossed the salt flat leading to CP 4, another welcome opportunity to grab some bottles of water and stave off the possibility of a crippling dehydration, an epic struggle was already taking place between the leading teams. First to check in, by the slimmest of margins, was TEAM NZ (NZ), literally comingled with the fastest French, SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY, and Kiwi archrivals DESERT ISLANDS (NZ). All three picked up some water before collapsing into the first fragment of shade available to discuss tactics and recuperate for the arduous task ahead. NIKE (USA), pushing hard to make up the time separating them from a step on the podium, came in 2 minutes behind the section pace setters and a stream of teams, already displaying signs of creeping exhaustion, followed them in at regular intervals over the next 16 minutes. Surprisingly enough, ADCO AROC (AUS) after looking poised to take the race by storm with their excellent result on yesterday’s sea-kayaking stage putting them into 3rd overall, came in over an hour off the front of the race looking somewhat dejected.
20km further on, at CP5 (63km), TEAM NZ (NZ) were still pulling the train, taking 9h11 to cover the distance (with 3h39 of rest time). DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) followed with a three-minute gap (3h45 rest) along with NIKE (USA - 3h37 rest), and SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY 8 minutes behind (9h19 and 3h30 rest). SALOMON SANTIVERI (ESP), having laid low for most of the race up until now, showed their true talents overland putting in the 5th fastest time to this part of the course in 9h26 (3h14) ahead of WILSA HH (FRA - 9h30 racing and 3h18 rest).
With the prospect of another moonlit night in store, the athletes switched on their headlamps at around 18:00 and raced through the dark. Early tomorrow morning at Hassab, we shall see the outcome of their efforts.
Section E – Times at CP 5 - 63km
1 TEAM NZ NZ 09:11:00
2 DESERT ISLANDS NZ 09:14:00
3 NIKE US 09:14:00
4 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY FR 09:19:00
5 SALOMON SANTIVERI ES 09:26:00
6 WILSA HELLY HANSEN FR 09:30:00
7 ORION HEALTH.COM NZ 09:34:00
8 LUNDHAGS ADVENTURE SE 09:47:00
9 SALOMON / CRESTED BUTTE US 09:49:0010 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM LAFUMA FR 10:29:00
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Paddle. Oh my word!
The last section to the coast was 14km and again we had not a breath of wind. By then we were like horses bolting for home and we just wanted it to be over.
Good thing we dont have to hike on our hands or do ropework tomorrow because our hands, shoulders and backs are dead tired and sore.
Garth was wishing for his goggles and snorkel because the water was so clear that we could often see the bottom and the rocks, corel and fish.
Lobby enjoyed the day but found the last 20km a slog. We all agree. She enjoyed it though and got a some photos on the way.
No comments from Chris; he is fast asleep.
We are on a bus to the overnight camp from where we will start the desert trek at 7am. The bus has only just left - it is just after 7pm and the trip is about 2.5hrs away. It has been a long day.
Overall we are very pleased with the day. We placed anything between 22nd and 24th with three teams only minutes ahead.
Till tomorrow.
Sent using my Sony Ericsson C902
Media release: Kiwis capture top two spots
Al Mirfa – 14th December, 2008 – As the race hits its mid point, early front runners DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) see their race lead reduced with the power paddlers vying for supremacy over the second 82km sea-kayaking section.
The 3rd day of the race started early this morning as the teams awoke from a well-earned slumber on the Island of Umm al Kurkum. The moon was still bright in the sky as, over a period of half an hour, the teams embarked in the same order they finished the night before. In total contrast to the stiff breeze that had made the initial sea-kayaking section the day before so demanding, the air was relatively still and the sea had lost most of its ire. Before them lay the prospect of a further 82km on the sea to the seaside resort of Mirfa on a section that some saw as an opportunity to consolidate their advantage while others, especially those with strong arms, hoped to make their presence felt in the overall ranking.
Originally slated as a nine-hour section, the 8 hours and change taken by the leading pack of boats is a clear indication of the intensity of competition among the teams forcing the pace of this 6-day race. First into Mirfa were TEAM NZ (NZ) after spending just under 8h3’ on the water, a result that wouldn’t surprise anyone after seeing the force this team put into each stroke on the leg out of Sir Bani Yas Island. This result brings them within 2 minutes of DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) who remain at the head of the race despite only taking 4th place on this section. Just less than 3 minutes behind the fastest came ADCO AROC (AUS), having had the kayaking tables turned on them by the team they pushed into 3rd place yesterday. But they won’t be too disappointed as they now move into the third podium position. The biggest gain of the section was had by French team WILSA HH who hit the jackpot with their 3rd fastest time over the section enabling them to leapfrog from 6th to 4th in the overall ranking. The other French team in contention for the podium, SPORT 200O VIBRAM OUTDRY, could only manage 7th on this section, after a splendid effort yesterday rewarded them with top honours, and they slipped back in the overall ranking to 5th place.
Further back but still among the leading lights of the AR world, NIKE (USA) drew on all their experience and tenacity to squeeze themselves into 10th but it may be asking too much of even this legendary world-beating formation to claw their way back into the top 3. With three days to go and only 19 minutes separating the first 5 teams, there is still everything to race for as, over the next 2 days, the world’s most talented adventure racing teams prepare to take on 107km of the world’s most inhospitable desert.
Provisional Top 5 after Section D – Sea Kayaking 82km
1 DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) 15h11:24
2 TEAM NZ (NZ) 15h13:37
3 ADCO AROC (AUS) 15h23:46
4 WILSA HELLY HANSEN (FRA) 15h29:125 SPORT 2000 LAFUMA OUTDRY (FRA) 15h30:08
The 3rd day of the race started early this morning as the teams awoke from a well-earned slumber on the Island of Umm al Kurkum. The moon was still bright in the sky as, over a period of half an hour, the teams embarked in the same order they finished the night before. In total contrast to the stiff breeze that had made the initial sea-kayaking section the day before so demanding, the air was relatively still and the sea had lost most of its ire. Before them lay the prospect of a further 82km on the sea to the seaside resort of Mirfa on a section that some saw as an opportunity to consolidate their advantage while others, especially those with strong arms, hoped to make their presence felt in the overall ranking.
Originally slated as a nine-hour section, the 8 hours and change taken by the leading pack of boats is a clear indication of the intensity of competition among the teams forcing the pace of this 6-day race. First into Mirfa were TEAM NZ (NZ) after spending just under 8h3’ on the water, a result that wouldn’t surprise anyone after seeing the force this team put into each stroke on the leg out of Sir Bani Yas Island. This result brings them within 2 minutes of DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) who remain at the head of the race despite only taking 4th place on this section. Just less than 3 minutes behind the fastest came ADCO AROC (AUS), having had the kayaking tables turned on them by the team they pushed into 3rd place yesterday. But they won’t be too disappointed as they now move into the third podium position. The biggest gain of the section was had by French team WILSA HH who hit the jackpot with their 3rd fastest time over the section enabling them to leapfrog from 6th to 4th in the overall ranking. The other French team in contention for the podium, SPORT 200O VIBRAM OUTDRY, could only manage 7th on this section, after a splendid effort yesterday rewarded them with top honours, and they slipped back in the overall ranking to 5th place.
Further back but still among the leading lights of the AR world, NIKE (USA) drew on all their experience and tenacity to squeeze themselves into 10th but it may be asking too much of even this legendary world-beating formation to claw their way back into the top 3. With three days to go and only 19 minutes separating the first 5 teams, there is still everything to race for as, over the next 2 days, the world’s most talented adventure racing teams prepare to take on 107km of the world’s most inhospitable desert.
Provisional Top 5 after Section D – Sea Kayaking 82km
1 DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) 15h11:24
2 TEAM NZ (NZ) 15h13:37
3 ADCO AROC (AUS) 15h23:46
4 WILSA HELLY HANSEN (FRA) 15h29:125 SPORT 2000 LAFUMA OUTDRY (FRA) 15h30:08
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Day two done
The paddle today was shortened to leave out the one island stop. It probably cut out about 5km. The wind out that way was blasting. For us binnelanders it was quite something to paddle on the open sea. Quite a bit of swell as we crossed from the eastern side of Yas Island to a smaller one 13km east. This was after a out and back down Yas Island's coast.
Total paddle took up 4h15. We got in around 4pm. We dont know our placing. A team came in after 6 still.
We expect the paddle tomorrow to take around 10hrs and it includes two island stops before we strike for the mainland; a place called Mirfa.
Ah. Earlier today next so the island coast we had fish jumping all over. Fun.
We have just had our own dinner mostly of tuna sachets and crackers and melrose. Other off treats too. Garth brought tinned fruit and custard. Chris brought Oreos. Yum.
We will sleep really well tonight and now, at 8pm we are ready to sleep. We start at 6am. It is still dark then. We have glo sticks on our kayaks to ward off the oil tankers.
Night.
Sent using my Sony Ericsson C902
Media release: From pedal to paddle…
Sir Bani Yas Island – 13th December, 2008 – For the second day of the race, based on the picturesque Sir Bani Yas Island, the teams started with an opening 45.5km MTB section followed by a 27km kayaking leg culminating at Umm al Kurkum Island, where competitors will now spend the night.
The herds of gazelles that abound in the Sir Bani Yas Island nature reserve were certainly perplexed. Their usual calm was somewhat disrupted this morning at sunrise as the teams sped by on the opening 45.5km MTB section, leaving a substantial cloud of dust in their wake. A looping course took them around Sir Bani Yas Island, the glow of the setting full moon being rapidly replaced by a rising sun growing brighter and hotter with passing minutes. With only 300m of elevation gain over the entire course, the only redoubtable adversary was going to be the tracts of soft sand interspersed by the draining roller-coaster ride. In the final reckoning, DESERT ISLANDS (NZ), NIKE (USA), TEAM NZ (NZ) and TEAM SOLE (USA) were the fastest along with SPORT 2000 VIBRAM LAFUMA (FRA). NIKE (USA) put in the fastest time at 1h37”07” covering the course at an average of over 28km/h.
After a break of around two hours, the teams undertook the first leg of a sea kayaking section prudently shortened to 27km, due to unusually strong winds and troublesome swell. Racing away from East Beach, the 36 teams first negotiated the emerald waters of a mangrove-strewn lagoon before undertaking the demanding 14.5km paddle out onto the high seas towards Umm al Kurkum Island. TEAM SOLE (USA) led the fleet a few metres ahead of current race leaders DESERT ISLAND (NZ), TEAM NZ (NZ), WILSA HH (FRA), ADCO AROC (AUS) and SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA). The French completed a magnificent paddle by eventually taking first place at the end of the day with the best time on the section at 2h59”. The French, led by François FALOCI and Jacky BOISSET are currently sitting in 3rd place in the overall ranking, with the Kiwis of DESERT ISLAND and TEAM NZ just ahead. The last of the 35 teams finished this section shortly before nightfall, joining the other competitors on Kurkum Island for a welcome overnight bivouac and a chance to recharge their batteries before the massive and challenging section tomorrow, kayaking to Mirfa, 82km along the coast.
Provisional Top 5 after Section C – Sea Kayaking 27km
1 DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) 7h00:24
2 TEAM NZ (NZ) 7h10:49
3 SPORT 2000 LAFUMA OUTDRY (FRA) 7h11:52
4 ADCO AROC (AUS) 7h17:31
5 TEAM SOLE (USA) 7h17:40
Live race coverage and information at www.abudhabi-adventure.com
The herds of gazelles that abound in the Sir Bani Yas Island nature reserve were certainly perplexed. Their usual calm was somewhat disrupted this morning at sunrise as the teams sped by on the opening 45.5km MTB section, leaving a substantial cloud of dust in their wake. A looping course took them around Sir Bani Yas Island, the glow of the setting full moon being rapidly replaced by a rising sun growing brighter and hotter with passing minutes. With only 300m of elevation gain over the entire course, the only redoubtable adversary was going to be the tracts of soft sand interspersed by the draining roller-coaster ride. In the final reckoning, DESERT ISLANDS (NZ), NIKE (USA), TEAM NZ (NZ) and TEAM SOLE (USA) were the fastest along with SPORT 2000 VIBRAM LAFUMA (FRA). NIKE (USA) put in the fastest time at 1h37”07” covering the course at an average of over 28km/h.
After a break of around two hours, the teams undertook the first leg of a sea kayaking section prudently shortened to 27km, due to unusually strong winds and troublesome swell. Racing away from East Beach, the 36 teams first negotiated the emerald waters of a mangrove-strewn lagoon before undertaking the demanding 14.5km paddle out onto the high seas towards Umm al Kurkum Island. TEAM SOLE (USA) led the fleet a few metres ahead of current race leaders DESERT ISLAND (NZ), TEAM NZ (NZ), WILSA HH (FRA), ADCO AROC (AUS) and SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FRA). The French completed a magnificent paddle by eventually taking first place at the end of the day with the best time on the section at 2h59”. The French, led by François FALOCI and Jacky BOISSET are currently sitting in 3rd place in the overall ranking, with the Kiwis of DESERT ISLAND and TEAM NZ just ahead. The last of the 35 teams finished this section shortly before nightfall, joining the other competitors on Kurkum Island for a welcome overnight bivouac and a chance to recharge their batteries before the massive and challenging section tomorrow, kayaking to Mirfa, 82km along the coast.
Provisional Top 5 after Section C – Sea Kayaking 27km
1 DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) 7h00:24
2 TEAM NZ (NZ) 7h10:49
3 SPORT 2000 LAFUMA OUTDRY (FRA) 7h11:52
4 ADCO AROC (AUS) 7h17:31
5 TEAM SOLE (USA) 7h17:40
Live race coverage and information at www.abudhabi-adventure.com
Day two
Ride was good but damn fast in the begining. Centre section through the hills was interesting. We saw some of the animals, like a here of small impala like buck. Perhaps gazelle but quite light in colour. Had some very sandy sections but for the most part the terrain was good.
The paddle is going to be tough. Wind behind for the first part and then straight into the wind to the overnight island.
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Friday, December 12, 2008
Island camp
We are on Yas Island now where we spend the night and then start day two. Excellent setup and even shower containers and loos. Have not yet had dins but the setup looks good. We are sleeping on the beach in our tent.
Saw Andre Gie this afternoon. They came about 7th today. He said he had to run like hell to keep up. But he is well and chirpy.
We start in the morning with a 50km mtb and then a paddle. Conditions should be good. I may not have cell reception. Night.
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Media release: A Taste of Effort and Opulence
Sir Bani Yas – 12th December, 2008 – The opening day of the 2008 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge embraced extremes of more than one nature: first came the effort required by the athletes to compete this morning’s inaugural triathlon, won by defending champions DESERT ISLANDS (NZ), fittingly followed by the discovery of the idyllic Sir Bani Yas Island, where the teams settled down for the evening, after a transfer by road and ferry, in preparation for tomorrow’s arduous programme.
The morning of the first day brought an explosive start to race as the teams sped away on their bikes for the first leg of an opening 40km triathlon held along and just offshore the Corniche Beach waterfront. The 17km MTB section along the wide avenues was followed by 12.5km of sea-kayaking around Lulu Island, 10km of trail running along the island’s tracks and dunes with a final sprint paddle back to the beach for the finish. The hot sun and stiff sea-breeze added to the fierce competition that saw last year’s winners DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) come out on top ahead of compatriots TEAM NZ and a SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FR). An elated but somewhat perplexed Richard USSHER expressed his surprise at the outcome of this opening stage: “We are a little surprised at our lead on this first section, especially as we thought our strengths would lie more on the biking and running stages. Our paddle went really well though and we had an error free run on the island. The team is really well balanced overall and if any of us appear to be suffering they can always get help from another,” he said confidently.
The teams then transferred from Abu Dhabi West along the coast to Jebel Dhanna where they took the short ferry ride across from the mainland jetty to the spectacular desert island destination of Sir Bani Yas for the evening bivouac and a introspective night before tomorrow’s early morning MTB section. The mountains that crown this 17km by 9km pearl-shaped paradise loom out of a brilliant blue sea. In the fading light, the greenery that blankets the island appears to sweep down to the waters edge where mangroves blur the transition between land and sea. The dominant hues of deep ochre, burnt umber and green remind you of other renowned havens of peace and spirituality like Australia’s Ayers Rock and the short trip around the island, to the bivouac on the East Beach, reveals a tiny portion of the millions of trees planted over the years to provide a suitable habitat for the thousands of wild animals, including twenty-three rare species of birds and the iconic Oryx, not to mention giraffes, deer and the odd leopard, that run free here. Extensive archaeological digs have unearthed traces of early Christian and Muslim settlements, emphasising the historical importance of this “Arabian Eden” that is now home to cutting edge research and experiments aimed at “greening the desert”. From its ancient roots as a pearl fisher’s paradise to the modern cradle of the country’s agricultural rebirth, Sir Bani Yas is a truly emblematic essential in this race itinerary, providing a perfectly serene centrepiece for tomorrow’s 45.5km MTB section that gets underway at 07:00.
Top 5 after section A - Triathlon
1 DESERT ISLANDS NZ 02:23:12
2 TEAM NZ NZ 02:26:32
3 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY FR 02:27:30
4 ADCO AROC AU 02:29:07
5 LUNDHAGS ADVENTURE SE 02:29:26
Live race coverage and information at http://www.abudhabi-adventure.com/
The morning of the first day brought an explosive start to race as the teams sped away on their bikes for the first leg of an opening 40km triathlon held along and just offshore the Corniche Beach waterfront. The 17km MTB section along the wide avenues was followed by 12.5km of sea-kayaking around Lulu Island, 10km of trail running along the island’s tracks and dunes with a final sprint paddle back to the beach for the finish. The hot sun and stiff sea-breeze added to the fierce competition that saw last year’s winners DESERT ISLANDS (NZ) come out on top ahead of compatriots TEAM NZ and a SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY (FR). An elated but somewhat perplexed Richard USSHER expressed his surprise at the outcome of this opening stage: “We are a little surprised at our lead on this first section, especially as we thought our strengths would lie more on the biking and running stages. Our paddle went really well though and we had an error free run on the island. The team is really well balanced overall and if any of us appear to be suffering they can always get help from another,” he said confidently.
The teams then transferred from Abu Dhabi West along the coast to Jebel Dhanna where they took the short ferry ride across from the mainland jetty to the spectacular desert island destination of Sir Bani Yas for the evening bivouac and a introspective night before tomorrow’s early morning MTB section. The mountains that crown this 17km by 9km pearl-shaped paradise loom out of a brilliant blue sea. In the fading light, the greenery that blankets the island appears to sweep down to the waters edge where mangroves blur the transition between land and sea. The dominant hues of deep ochre, burnt umber and green remind you of other renowned havens of peace and spirituality like Australia’s Ayers Rock and the short trip around the island, to the bivouac on the East Beach, reveals a tiny portion of the millions of trees planted over the years to provide a suitable habitat for the thousands of wild animals, including twenty-three rare species of birds and the iconic Oryx, not to mention giraffes, deer and the odd leopard, that run free here. Extensive archaeological digs have unearthed traces of early Christian and Muslim settlements, emphasising the historical importance of this “Arabian Eden” that is now home to cutting edge research and experiments aimed at “greening the desert”. From its ancient roots as a pearl fisher’s paradise to the modern cradle of the country’s agricultural rebirth, Sir Bani Yas is a truly emblematic essential in this race itinerary, providing a perfectly serene centrepiece for tomorrow’s 45.5km MTB section that gets underway at 07:00.
Top 5 after section A - Triathlon
1 DESERT ISLANDS NZ 02:23:12
2 TEAM NZ NZ 02:26:32
3 SPORT 2000 VIBRAM OUTDRY FR 02:27:30
4 ADCO AROC AU 02:29:07
5 LUNDHAGS ADVENTURE SE 02:29:26
Live race coverage and information at http://www.abudhabi-adventure.com/
Day One done
We started out on the main coastal road, flying along on our bikes. Quick transition to kayaks, our first time in them. We had to start with the sails up and we left them up the whole way round Lulu Island. Then a run on the island, took just under an hour. No challenge there. This island would be a fabulous orienteering venue if it got mapped; we did no orienteering though.
Then we got back in the boats for a quick paddle back to the beachfront.
The water is the most stunning blue and the conditions were good. If we have this tomorrow we will have a great day out.
I am not too sure where we placed but it would be in the upper 20's of the 36 teams.
Of interest, the maps we had today where Google sat images at 1:27500. Worked for today. I dont know what we will have for the other days. Probably sat images too.
We are waiting for the bus now to take us to the overnight camp. Lovely social environment here and I am sure the vibe tonight will be festive.
Lobby and Chris saw a turtle on the paddle.
Sent using my Sony Ericsson C902
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Opening ceremony
Team agrees that it was very exciting to see all the teams and to absorb the whole race vibe. Very festive.
After being here since Tuesday we are itching for the race to start.
We are on the way back to the hotel now and need to get our bags packed for the prologue. Breakfast is available from 4am. We get transported at 6am and start at 8am.
Lauren, Garth and Christiaan say hi to everyone too.
Photo of the mosque is of the huge one near the hotel, just outside of the city. Still under construction. When completed it will be second biggest in the World, so we have been told. It really is impressive.
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Media release: The race takes shape
December 11th, 2008: With only hours to go before the start of the 2008 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge from the Corniche Beach in Abu Dhabi, the 36 teams discovered, for the first time, the course details after receiving their maps and road books.
At 10:00 this morning, the first of the 36 teams from 20 different nations started the round of compulsory clothing and gear checks set up beneath the soaring arch that serves as one of the entrances to the Armed Forces Officers Club here in Abu Dhabi. By 14:00, all the teams had past muster, though some were experiencing minor issues. Some new faces were in evidence like the young physical training instructors from the Royal Air Force, racing under the aegis of TOWERGATE WILSON, eagerly looking forward to measuring their training techniques against the “Top Guns” of AR from around the world. The Americans of DART NUUN could hardly believe their luck when they were chosen as the North American continent’s ADTA award winners: “This one comes about a month after the end of the season so it’s a welcome bonus for us, especially as we have been invited by the ADTA, ” they beamed in unison. Another team new to the ADAC, SINGAPORE TEC, were already encountering a steep learning curve: "We have done a lot of stage races in Singapore but the desert is totally new for us…" they confided as they discussed possible problems with the sand.
Earlier in the day they had their first real look at the course in detail. A spectacular start awaits them in Abu Dhabi city, with a 40km triathlon involving MTB, sea kayaking and trail running on a looping circuit beginning and ending on Corniche Beach. The teams will first head west on the Corniche road, exceptionally closed for the duration of the race, for an initial 17km MTB leg, sprinting past the sumptuous Emirates Palace in one direction, looping around the headland and then back along the corniche, with a u-turn east of the beach bringing them back to the kayaks. Next they take to the seas for the opening 12.5km kayaking section out to and around Lulu Island. Once on the island, they will complete a very fast 10.5km trail run, leap back into the kayaks for the 500m dash back to the beach and the finish.
The next phase of the competition will introduce them to one of the world’s most remarkable ecological success stories. Sir Bani Yas, Island is located just off the coast of Jebel Dhanna, about 170km west of the city of Abu Dhabi. It is home to over three million trees and thousands of animals, including twenty-three rare species of birds and wild animals, so the teams will have to pay particular attention as they speed along the small dirt roads and tracks that criss-cross this sublime destination. With the 45.5km MTB stage over by 09:00 for the fastest, the teams will take to their kayaks for a mass start on what promises to be a long and arduous 2 days on the water. The first 33km section starts from the Eastern Beach on Sir Bani Yas at 11:30 and, after traversing 10km of mangroves abounding in exotic seabirds, takes the teams out to Kurkum Island, another enchanting desert island destination with a beautiful lagoon at its centre. Here they will spend an unforgettable night with before setting off again for the 82km main kayaking section East towards Mirfa.
After transferring to Moreeb Dune for the night at the bivouac, the teams will finally confront the desert with a 2-day, 107km desert trek across the appropriately named “Empty Quarter” starting at 07:00. Navigation on this stage will be crucial and it is essential that the teams make the right choices if they still want to be in contention when they reach the stage finish in Hassab. The last teams are expected by 13:00 on the 16th after which the caravan leaves for the garden city of Al Ain and the race’s grand finale. In the shadow of the jagged peaks of Jebel Hafit, the teams will enjoy the lush and verdant Green Mubazzarah camp in preparation for a fast and furious face-off. The morning starts at 06:00 with a 12km MTB ride up the mountain road to the summit, followed by an immediate departure on foot, trekking across the mountain to a spectacular and challenging rope works, eventually returning to Green Mubazzarah 14.6km later. All geared up for the final sprint into the finish at Jahili Fort, the teams will cover the last 27km on their bikes for a sensational end to this entertaining and demanding event.
Live race coverage and information at www.abudhabi-adventure.com
At 10:00 this morning, the first of the 36 teams from 20 different nations started the round of compulsory clothing and gear checks set up beneath the soaring arch that serves as one of the entrances to the Armed Forces Officers Club here in Abu Dhabi. By 14:00, all the teams had past muster, though some were experiencing minor issues. Some new faces were in evidence like the young physical training instructors from the Royal Air Force, racing under the aegis of TOWERGATE WILSON, eagerly looking forward to measuring their training techniques against the “Top Guns” of AR from around the world. The Americans of DART NUUN could hardly believe their luck when they were chosen as the North American continent’s ADTA award winners: “This one comes about a month after the end of the season so it’s a welcome bonus for us, especially as we have been invited by the ADTA, ” they beamed in unison. Another team new to the ADAC, SINGAPORE TEC, were already encountering a steep learning curve: "We have done a lot of stage races in Singapore but the desert is totally new for us…" they confided as they discussed possible problems with the sand.
Earlier in the day they had their first real look at the course in detail. A spectacular start awaits them in Abu Dhabi city, with a 40km triathlon involving MTB, sea kayaking and trail running on a looping circuit beginning and ending on Corniche Beach. The teams will first head west on the Corniche road, exceptionally closed for the duration of the race, for an initial 17km MTB leg, sprinting past the sumptuous Emirates Palace in one direction, looping around the headland and then back along the corniche, with a u-turn east of the beach bringing them back to the kayaks. Next they take to the seas for the opening 12.5km kayaking section out to and around Lulu Island. Once on the island, they will complete a very fast 10.5km trail run, leap back into the kayaks for the 500m dash back to the beach and the finish.
The next phase of the competition will introduce them to one of the world’s most remarkable ecological success stories. Sir Bani Yas, Island is located just off the coast of Jebel Dhanna, about 170km west of the city of Abu Dhabi. It is home to over three million trees and thousands of animals, including twenty-three rare species of birds and wild animals, so the teams will have to pay particular attention as they speed along the small dirt roads and tracks that criss-cross this sublime destination. With the 45.5km MTB stage over by 09:00 for the fastest, the teams will take to their kayaks for a mass start on what promises to be a long and arduous 2 days on the water. The first 33km section starts from the Eastern Beach on Sir Bani Yas at 11:30 and, after traversing 10km of mangroves abounding in exotic seabirds, takes the teams out to Kurkum Island, another enchanting desert island destination with a beautiful lagoon at its centre. Here they will spend an unforgettable night with before setting off again for the 82km main kayaking section East towards Mirfa.
After transferring to Moreeb Dune for the night at the bivouac, the teams will finally confront the desert with a 2-day, 107km desert trek across the appropriately named “Empty Quarter” starting at 07:00. Navigation on this stage will be crucial and it is essential that the teams make the right choices if they still want to be in contention when they reach the stage finish in Hassab. The last teams are expected by 13:00 on the 16th after which the caravan leaves for the garden city of Al Ain and the race’s grand finale. In the shadow of the jagged peaks of Jebel Hafit, the teams will enjoy the lush and verdant Green Mubazzarah camp in preparation for a fast and furious face-off. The morning starts at 06:00 with a 12km MTB ride up the mountain road to the summit, followed by an immediate departure on foot, trekking across the mountain to a spectacular and challenging rope works, eventually returning to Green Mubazzarah 14.6km later. All geared up for the final sprint into the finish at Jahili Fort, the teams will cover the last 27km on their bikes for a sensational end to this entertaining and demanding event.
Live race coverage and information at www.abudhabi-adventure.com
Kit check passed
We are now at a restaurant in the hotel for lunch - burgers all round.
We are not entirely clued about the navigation situation for the race. A GPS is compulsory kit and we have a sheet with coordinates. We'll finish loading them after lunch. And then we also get maps each day. I think the GPS will be handy for the desert trekking and paddling.
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Briefing
We have just had race briefing. Same kinda thing as usual - no rocket science. Nice to see all the teams in one room. Andre Gie is here. He flew in this morning. He will be racing with Team Sole. Chad Ulansky is in the same team.
The weather is mild, cooler than Joburg has been. Humidity is not that bad either so I think we are in for fine conditions. It will be about 5C warmer in the desert.
We are going for a kit check at 11h30 and them at 5 there is a formal opening function with VIPs and country ambassadors. We hope to meet our SA ambassador.
Breakfast tomorrow morning starts at 4am. We are then bussed to the main beach front for the prologue, which is a 40km sprint. We bike along the esplanade and then sea kayak across to Lulu Island and then clockwise around it. Then we run around on the island, pretty much
clockwise too.
Chat later.
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Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Doing nothing much prerace
We did meet other teams on the bus and the hotel is rocking. From this morning there have been teams all over the place. The hotel is very chaotic though and because view had to wait for guests to check out, rooms were only assigned late afternoon. So teams were on every available chair and couch. We had to check out of our rooms when we got back from the mall at lunch time and them had to wait around. We got our room after 5!
We have just been preparing our compulsory kit. At 8h30 in the morning we have a team meeting. We are down for our technical check and gear thing at 11h30.
This is when we get our bikes and boats and other bits from the race organisation.
At the moment we are having a picnic in our room. It looks like a tornado has passed through. We are looking forward to another good sleep. Night everyone.
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
A day in Abu Dhabi
We had dinner at the mall and caught the shuttle back.
We have just come back from playing tenpin bowling and walking around inside this massive snorts complex. Seeing is believing. Is is the most massive building we have ever seen and there is every conceivable sports facility too.
We just saw Team Nike in the lobby. Most teams will arrive tomorrow.
Time to sleep now. Till morning...
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We have arrived
We got two taxis to the hotel. Nice BMW station wagons; our crates fitted. Driver drove at 140 the whole way. Big open roads and tons of palm trees. But a bit like a ghost town on the outskirts. We will go into the city shortly.
We have checked into the hotel where we will be hosted by the event tomorrow night too. It is 5 Star and costs a small fortune; in Rand. R1500 per person - excluding breakfast! Place is huge, rooms are not; quite ordinary. I dont know where the people are because we haven't seen a soul.
We will spend the day in Abu Dhabi and have dinner there. We will catch the hotel shuttle. Have just ordered toothbrushes from housekeeping. Mmmm. . .
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Monday, December 8, 2008
At the airport
All checked in with a total of 108kg luggage. Three 160l craters, a tog bag and paddles. Everyone is well. Thank you for all your good luck messages.
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Race programme & disciplines
We leave SA on the night of Monday, 8 December, flying on Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi. We arrive very early Tuesday morning and plan to spend the day sightseeing.
We connect with the event on Wednesday, 10th and also have the day to relax and check kit.
The team meeting, administrative checks are on Thursday, 11th.
The race course incorporates three elements: the sea, the desert and the mountain.
Friday, 12th is the first stage, a prologue. It includes mountain biking, running and sea kayaking in downtown Abu Dhabi; a lovely show-and-tell adventure tourism punt.
At the end of the day we're transported by bus to the camp on Sir Bani Yas Island. The event provides the camp and food (we sleep in our own tent).
Saturday, 13th is our first big stage. It includes 50km mtb on the island. We then continue with 30km sea kayak to reach Kirkum Island, where we will spend the night. We need to be off the water by 18h00 until 06h00. We're planning to have a fun picnic and a good sleep.
Sunday, 14th is the HUGE paddle stage we've been preparing for. We sea kayak 80-odd kilometres from our overnight island to Mirfa. Race organisation kindly provides a meal on this night.
We will have to visit checkpoints during the paddle stages. We all wear the SportIdent wristbands and have to punch in within a minute of each other.
Monday, 15th and Tuesday, 16th constitute days 4 and 5 of the race. This is the big desert trekking/orienteering stage. Yes, 110km during two days and two nights. We're on our own except for water provided by the organisation. During these two days we have to take a compulsory 6-hour rest time at a checkpoint. I get the impression that the in-between parts include a rogaine-like structure. We carry our own food for the entire trekking stage, being rewarded with a meal from the event at the end of the section.
At the end of the section we're transfered by bus to the Green Mubazzarah camp near the Djebel Hafeet, the mountain where the final stage will take place.
Wednesday, 17th is the final stage. It includes activities in a dry canyon, rope activities, mountain biking and trail running. We spend the final race night at the Hilton Hotel in Al Ain. We'll really appreciate the comfy beds and showers by then.
We have the day to chill on Thursday, 18th and we fly home Friday, 19th, arriving home at night.
And that's it.
We connect with the event on Wednesday, 10th and also have the day to relax and check kit.
The team meeting, administrative checks are on Thursday, 11th.
The race course incorporates three elements: the sea, the desert and the mountain.
Friday, 12th is the first stage, a prologue. It includes mountain biking, running and sea kayaking in downtown Abu Dhabi; a lovely show-and-tell adventure tourism punt.
At the end of the day we're transported by bus to the camp on Sir Bani Yas Island. The event provides the camp and food (we sleep in our own tent).
Saturday, 13th is our first big stage. It includes 50km mtb on the island. We then continue with 30km sea kayak to reach Kirkum Island, where we will spend the night. We need to be off the water by 18h00 until 06h00. We're planning to have a fun picnic and a good sleep.
Sunday, 14th is the HUGE paddle stage we've been preparing for. We sea kayak 80-odd kilometres from our overnight island to Mirfa. Race organisation kindly provides a meal on this night.
We will have to visit checkpoints during the paddle stages. We all wear the SportIdent wristbands and have to punch in within a minute of each other.
Monday, 15th and Tuesday, 16th constitute days 4 and 5 of the race. This is the big desert trekking/orienteering stage. Yes, 110km during two days and two nights. We're on our own except for water provided by the organisation. During these two days we have to take a compulsory 6-hour rest time at a checkpoint. I get the impression that the in-between parts include a rogaine-like structure. We carry our own food for the entire trekking stage, being rewarded with a meal from the event at the end of the section.
At the end of the section we're transfered by bus to the Green Mubazzarah camp near the Djebel Hafeet, the mountain where the final stage will take place.
Wednesday, 17th is the final stage. It includes activities in a dry canyon, rope activities, mountain biking and trail running. We spend the final race night at the Hilton Hotel in Al Ain. We'll really appreciate the comfy beds and showers by then.
We have the day to chill on Thursday, 18th and we fly home Friday, 19th, arriving home at night.
And that's it.
Lauren on the paddle ergo
Our last training session with coach Russell Willis. He put us on the paddle ergo to focus on our reach, arm height, draw and rotation. This machine is hard work!
Sent using Lisa's Sony Ericsson C902 mobile phone
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