Posted: August 5, 2004

Adventure Racing: 20 seconds splits first two teams over the finish line at AR Newfoundland

Adventure Racing World Championship 2004 -Corner Brook, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

4 August After over eighty hours of racing through the wilderness of Newfoundland, it was a bike sprint to the finish line of the 2004 Adventure Racing World Championship in Corner Brook today. Team Nike ACG/Balance Bar (USA) crossed the finish line just 20 seconds ahead of Cross Sportswear (Swe), to take first place.

The team completed the course at 17:49:30 to win CDN$50,000 and the title of Adventure Racing World Champions. Nike ACG/Balance Bar repeatedly held the lead and put in a performance which saw them beat off their main opposition, Cross Sportswear, Merrell Zanfel (USA/NZ) and former World Champions Team Nokia Adventure (Fin). But it was an exceedingly close run in the final stages.

Cross Sportswear were hot on the winner’s heels as the teams completed their final kayak paddle to Goose Arm. Nearing the final CPs Cross Sportswear kept the pressure on as finish line drew nearer. The Swedish managed to paddle pass them during the Canoe shuttle (with bikes on board) across Humber River. However Team Nike ACG Balance Bar managed to unload their bikes quicker and was hastily on their way to CP 21.

Time was lost for Nike ACG Balance Bar who then struggled to find the location of the final CP. Upon seeing Cross Sportswear not far behind they pulled out all energy reserves for the home stretch to the finish line. Cross Sportswear were unable to match them, crossing the line in second place at 15:49:50.

Nike ACG Balance Bar had a good race, and despite serving a 2 hour time penalty at CP12 for leaving compulsory equipment behind at CP4, racing with injuries – Kloser has a broken toe, two infected ankles, and Adamson has a broken finger – they were determined to win.

Team captain Ian Adamson was ecstatic with the victory and crossing the line first, “knowing that we weren’t beaten to the finish line, especially in a field with such a high caliber of racers competing.”

Team Nike ACG Balance Bar includes: Mike Kloser, Danelle Ballengee and Michael Tobin. They have been racing together for a few years and their team dynamics are superb. “The races, sceneries, wildlife all change from country to country but at the end of the day we are true team mates and will take on each race together” Adamson comments.

Course designer Lawrence Foster was pleased with the way teams attacked the course. “I was slightly surprised at the blazing pace the lead pack were traveling at over the first two days and were racing ahead of my predicted times. Even though they slowed down in the middle part of the race, the title was still up for grabs right until the bitter end.”

“Teams recognized the opportunities to implement different strategies, utilize tidal flows and route tactics available to them, which makes for an exciting adventure race.” On the finish line Foster was complimented by Adamson, “that was one of the top three races I have ever done.”

Merrell Zanfel crossed the finish line third at 20:25:02. They are delighted to have completed the course but disappointed with losing the 2 hour lead they had gained before the Dory section. Robyn Benincasa thought they were “the unfortunate team that had both the headwind and the tide against us.”

Teams will continue to finish the course over the next 60 hours. Various cut off times have been put in place to ensure the race course is closed at 8am Saturday.

Background information
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.