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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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

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.

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Trek done

And we were met by some South Africans 2km from the finish. What am amazing welcome. Mark Joyce, adventure racer, is one of them. Will message more later.

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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

Paddle. Oh my word!

What a paddle! Took us 10.5hrs. The first 34km to the first checkpoint was quite interesting as we passed an island and Lobby and Chris saw a turtle. The sea was flat with gloopy syrupy bits it was so flat. We put up the sails after the first CP because there was a breath of wind but we were optimistic and it came to nothing. So we slogged the next 34km across open sea flatter than Emmarentia on a windless day.

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.
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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