Fifty-six international adventurers will set out tomorrow (Tuesday, February 8, 2011) from Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia to begin one of the world's toughest races, which this year is helping to save Chile's rare deer species the Patagonian huemul.
Billed as the 'last wild race', the 2011 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is set to be one of the most challenging in the nine-edition history of the race, with competitors facing over 600 kilometres of trekking, kayaking and cycling. This year's course will test competitors with its longest ever single trekking section and will travel across some remote regions rarely visited by man.
Founded to raise awareness of the need to protect Chile's stunning Patagonian region, race organizer Nomadas Outdoors Services has further stepped up its environmental focus this year, setting up a conservation project that will raise funds for the protection of Chile's national symbol, the huemul.
The 2011 course, which runs from Torres del Paine National Park and finishes in Pale Aike National Park, will pass through Patagonia regions thought to be habitat for the huemul, providing racers with the opportunity to site the endemic deer species and take samples of their presence. Race Director, Stjepan Pavicic, believes the race will test even the most experienced teams whilst taking them through amazing flora, fauna and landscapes.
"It will be a long and strenuous expedition race marked by geographical contrasts and a restless, unpredictable climate," Pavicic told racers at the Opening Ceremony on Sunday. "The racers will be marked forever by this experience in Patagonia and they are our ambassadors to the world, supporting underlying common message: Chilean Patagonia belongs to Humanity's natural heritage and we must preserve it."
This year's field of competitors includes a mix of international pro and semi-pro racers and everyday adventurers from the US, UK, Croatia, Japan, France, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Brasil, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, the Czech Republic and Kasakhstan.
The race, which is title sponsored by Swiss Army Knife manufacturer Wenger, will be delivered to the 'Leave No Trace' principles and supports the Wildlife Conservation Society by raising awareness of its projects in Chile as well as aiming to help develop sustainable tourism and protect the region's wilderness.
Funds for the Patagonian Huemul project - which are being raised through visitors to the race website during the event - will go towards a population research survey in Peninsular Brunswick and Muñoz Gamero, which will assist in the development of a protection plan for the critically endangered animal. The research is due to take place later this year.