Post-ADAC: Home safe and team dinner

We're all home safely and after months of having little more than 'Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge' on my mind I find this a contemplative time.

Last night we had a super Team www.AR.co.za dinner. There was this year's team and last year's team. Unfortunately Garth was unable to join us - he spent the afternoon at the airport trying to get up here (his flight had problems and he then waited for standby seats until it got too late). Lauren and Christiaan were able to meet Francois, Christo and Alex, which was neat and I look forward to them meeting Garth. We also had some friends and family with us - they have been so supportive from start to finish. If we receive the Award again, I can see this turning into a BIG annual dinner ;)

There are so many elements and people that go into getting this team off the ground and us to this race.

Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority - Wow! Without this invitation this would just not have been possible. Even though I have had the fortune now to have been at ADAC twice, I can say that they continue to impress with their level of organisation and attention to detail. I really appreciated the little tweaks in the race to make it different to last year. Christo knew about the race and what it involved but as he says post-race, "It exceeded everything I thought before the race - and more". Lotta, Elise, Matt - thank you for having us in Abu Dhabi.

Lobby - thank you for taking us, and all our stuff, to the airport; and especially for fetching us at 5am!

Mom, what an amazing dinner! She really treated us to a phenomenal spread of Middle East-themed foods last night. A lot of work and heart went into the preparation.


Mark & Debbie (FoodState) and Shayne (Hi-Tec); thank you for coming too. I was really pleased that you could meet the team you have so generously supported.
The Popes - thank you for hosting our dinner at your lovely home.

Nic - I do hope Cyanosis considers racing in Abu Dhabi next year (Tweet, I'd like to see McCain there too). While you're not likely to win this race, I do think that you can really get up into the money and that you'll have an experience at this amazing race like you've never had before.

Christiaan - so good to see you and Landi; your team, Gijima, is rocking and I am so looking forward to doing your race next year.

Family - Dad, Francois' folks & Izaan thank you for your wonderful encouragement.


Our sponsors and clothing and equipment suppliers have been awesome. Efficient, fast, helpful and supportive - we couldn't have asked for a better team behind us. Adventure Inc, Eiger Equipment (Petzl), First Ascent, FoodState SPN, Hi-Tec, RAM Mountaineering, Rudy Project... great products that had us looking good and racing strong. Thanks also to Hanno, Francois' friend and a great supporter of our team, for his kind gift.