Posted: August 2, 2004

Adventure Racing: Elite athletes off to a speedy start for the 2nd Adventure Racing World Championship

Adventure Racing World Championship 2004 - Port aux Basques, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

August 1: Forty three international teams lined up for the 2nd Adventure Racing World Championship in Burgeo, Newfoundland, today. Media and supporters gathered at Sandbanks Provincial Park, for the scheduled 8am start. The overcast skies made for perfect conditions for a fast and exciting race.

As the starter siren sounded the 172 athletes departed at a rapid pace along Western Beach. Early in to the first trekking section the competitors were treated to a dip in the chilling waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, as the course required a tidal inlet crossing. Teams waded in and took the plunge to swim 50m across.

A few teams struggled with weaker swimmers in their teams. Julian Minehan of Team Sierra International (NZ) experienced some difficulties with the strong current and icy waters; he was assisted by his teammates and they continued on their way. Team Newfoundland/Labrador was the only team to forgo the swim and inflated pack rafts in order to paddle down the inlet, whilst the remainder of the field hugged the shoreline on foot.

After just two hours of racing a lead group of 14 teams had distanced themselves from the rest of the field. Led by Ian Adamson from Nike ACG / Balance Bar (USA), teams were traveling at a startling pace to the first checkpoint at the top of North East Arm of Connoire Bay. Two Canadian teams Simon River Sports, and Gears Racing joined the perennial favorites Nokia (Finland) in keeping pace at the front of the race.

The teams’ chosen route then headed inland to the Blue Hills of Couteau. This first trekking section covers 56 kilometers of highlands, over West Gunflap Hill. Foggy conditions on the highlands caused a few navigational problems as landmarks and the terrain became increasingly difficult to identify on the map. This served to separate the teams slightly.

Nike ACG/Balance Bar arrived first to check point 1 at 11.42am, with Supplierpipline from Canada, minutes behind.

First in to check point 2 was Team Supplierpipeline from Canada followed closely by Nike ACG/Balance Bar, Montrail (USA) and Team Mazda (South Africa). The leading pack of 11 teams checked in within 20 minutes of each other. All teams appeared strong with determined looks upon their faces.

Following La Poile River downstream teams are expected to arrive in North Bay ahead of predicted times. The leading team will be able to have a short rest before the enforced dark zone is lifted at 4.45am. Teams can then launch their kayaks and paddle out towards the ocean. This paddle section follows Newfoundland’s southern coast line. The weather forecast is for calm seas enabling teams to continue their speedy progress on the course.

The race can be followed on www.arworldchampionship.com with hourly updates, and also on www.sleepmonsters.com.

The 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is the championship event for the Adventure Racing World Series of eight premier international races, including the Beast of the East (USA), Raid the North Extreme (Canada), Ecomotion /Pro (Brazil), Explore Sweden (Sweden), Appalachian Extreme (USA), Southern Traverse (New Zealand), European Championship Adventure Race (Austria), and Adventure Quest Africa (South Africa). The world's top teams were invited to compete in the 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP based on winning placements and qualifying criteria of the Adventure Racing World Series races, with the remainder of the 50 teams selected via an application process.

About Frontier Adventure Racing Inc.:
Frontier Adventure Racing Inc. (FAR Inc.) is the leading adventure racing company in Canada, operating the popular Raid the North and Salomon Adventure Challenge series. Now in its seventh year of operation, FAR Inc. has established an international reputation for solid logistics and challenging race courses. Providing traditional wilderness adventure race experiences has been FAR Inc.'s focus since day one. Often building courses around the history and traditions of the regions competitors travel through, FAR Inc. remains true to its slogan: Real Wilderness. Real Navigation. Real Adventure.