Day One in the 2011 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race has come to a close with all teams passing through Checkpoint 2 and trekking through the night.
Reigning champions Adidas TERREX (UK) reached Checkpoint 2 in first place at around 20.00, but was closely followed, with just seven minutes separating the top five placed teams.
Despite sunny and warm conditions at the starting line in Hotel Las Torres, racers faced intense winds during the initial 60 kilometre bike stage which took them through the spectacular ‘W’ route in the Torres Del Paine National Park. The winds were so strong forcing some riders from their bikes, making conditions extremely tough in this opening stage.
Strong winds also caused havoc in the second stage, a 47 kilometre kayaking leg down the Grey and Serrano rivers to the base of the massive Monte Balmaceda. Race organizers, Nomadas Outdoor Services were forced to delay the start of this section as a result of the high winds.
In addition to making the conditions particularly challenging physically, the wind has also caused some equipment problems, including gear problems and a kayak rudder failure.
On the positive side, the wind blew the clouds away and racers were able to enjoy stunning views of the Torres Del Paine, Glaciar Grey and Monte Balmaceda, against a backdrop of clear, blue skies.
From Checkpoint 2, racers began the first trekking leg with most teams planning to trek through the night to reach Checkpoint 4. They are expected to hike through dense forest and wetlands, followed by the lakes and fjords of Lago Azul and Fiordo Ultima Esperanza, before moving toward a mountain pass.
Race organizers are expecting teams to take a short rest once they reach Checkpoint 4 or, along the route, depending on each team’s strategy.
Day two will see teams continuing to trek up and over a number of high mountain passes until reaching Checkpoint 8 where they will take to the water for a second kayaking section in the Cordillera Sarmindiento de Gamboa and Cordillera Riesco.
Team Rankings at 20.00 Tuesday 8 February 2011 – Checkpoint 2 Monte Balmaceda
At 20.00pm, the official team rankings at Checkpoint 2 Monte Balmaceda were: 1 Adidas Terrex; 7 Gearjunkie.com; 15 Roadrunners Adventure Team; 4 Vaucluse Adventure Evasions; 6 Perdido en el Turbal (EEUU-UK); 13 Dancing Pandas; 2 EastWind; 10 Selva NKS Líalas; and 12 Todo Aventura La segunda Lippi Ejercito. Teams not listed here had not passed through Checkpoint 2 at this time and no official information on their ranking was available before going to print.
