Team www.AR.co.za in First Ascent Newsletter

The original online version is here, on the First Ascent website.

Post-ADAC: Sand 'n shoes

My big concern was the desert trekking stage and keeping sand out of our shoes. Last year we lost loads of time because of this. My current gaiter design worked really well but I also realised the major influence of shoe upper fabric. Both Francois and Christo raced in the desert with their Hi-Tec Trail Eruptions; Alex had his Salomons and I was in my Asics, the same ones I wore for TransRockies Run. We all had the same gaiters attached in the same way (sewn on).

Christo and Francois, by far, had less sand in their shoes. Alex and I emptied our shoes at each checkpoint - not vast quantities of sand, but enough that you can feel it. The mesh on the Hi-Tec Trail Eruption is more fine, 'repelling' the fine bits that get through the gaiters.

Gaiters in action! A fast-paced descent down a dune.

Although I'd be wearing my Hi-Tecs quite a bit recently, I'd decided to stick with the Asics because I'd had such a great race in them in the US. I would have been far better off wearing my Hi-Tecs in the desert.

This was yet another good learning experience and I'll pay more attention to shoe fabric, as well as gaiter design, for this and other desert events. Live 'n learn... I have conceived a VERSION 3 of my design - I'll try to make it over the festive period.

Post-ADAC: The team

Alex, Christo and Francois; you have been the most wonderful teammates.

Christo has been doing AR for a good few years and has many distance events under his belt. He is a wonderful racer - steady, consistent and strong and capable across all disciplines. He is level-headed with no erratic ups and downs - very solid - and always willing to putting yet another thing into his backpack. In temperment he is calming, organised and efficient. It is little wonder that he earned the nickname, Captain Awesome. Christo is very involved with the trail running and adventure racing scene in Bloem - and he is keen to get to ADAC next year with his own team.

For Alex and Francois this was something quite different and they came through it beautifully.

Alex's progression to longer distance racing, while managing his diabetes, was smooth and without problems. He can confidently tackle events of any distance and duration and I have little doubt that he'll cruise through them and come out tops. He took responsibility for navigating our team through every stage, choosing fast and efficient routes without fail. He has a special talent in this regard. On foot, bike and boat he is strong and consistent - a solid all-rounder who copes exceedingly well with every challenge.

Francois is a freight train on a bike and I experienced this first-hand being on a tow rope behind him; it is little wonder that he has done so well in local biking events. Used to success and walking up podiums, I think that Francois had to make a psychological shift pre-race - and during the race - inline with my assurances that there is no way we would come close to even a Top 20 placing; an event like ADAC is so different to the races he has done before. When you're used to winning this can be a challenge; but he settled in from the start and was as delighted as us with our result. Francois is exceedingly motivated and organised (it is to his credit that we have Hi-Tec and Rudy Project involved with our team) and I have every confidence that we'll see him - and his teams - consistently on the AR scene and doing well. From here it is only bigger and better ;)

These guys have so much to share - to teach and guide other racers - and they are an asset to every team they race in. I've been one very lucky girl to spend this time with them.

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.