The drama continued in the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race on Wednesday as reigning champions Team Helly Hansen-Prunesco edged ahead after the lead changed hands three times on the long trek through wild rolling hills and dusty salt pans in Chilean Tierra del Fuego.
The organisers had to act fast overnight to put emergency rations in place for the incoming racers with supplies were left stranded on the mainland after the ferry to the remote island was cancelled due to rough weather – but the lead group were not deterred and trekked on at rapid pace.
Race director Stjepan Pavicic was impressed by the strength of the leading teams and said: “The race has run to the time we expected given the good conditions we have had, and now the teams have divided into two big groups, with the leading teams that have escaped the pack competing very strongly.”
Cloudless skies over the wide open landscape offered spectacular views of the stars as the teams trekked into the night from CP3, with leaders Switzerland and second-placed Helly Hansen-Prunesco separated by just five minutes when they set off from the old sheep shearing building.
German Team Herbertz was third away, two hours later, followed by Untamed New England and Air Europa Bimont, from Spain. Every team had made it in by morning, but by the time the new day dawned there was already a new look to the leaderboard after a long night of trekking.
With the fourth checkpoint closed due to logistical issues, teams had set off in different directions, with some taking the gravel road rather than following the suggested route through the wild pampas, and by the time the leaders reached checkpoint five, it was Air Europa Bimont who came in first.
The Spaniards had gained two-and-a-half hours in a strong section that saw them take a 30-minute lead over Switzerland. Helly Hansen-Prunesco was 15 minutes further back while Team Herbertz, from Germany, had dropped back to a distant fourth ahead of Canada and GearJunkie.com.
After a 17km final section the first trek of the race, originally planned to be 57km, finished with the top three covered by just eight minutes at checkpoint six. Untamed New England arrived ahead, but after another trademark transition to the bikes that took just 19 minutes, Helly Hansen-Prunesco left first as the race headed into its second night.
“This time has been close to the best time we had estimated,” said Pavicic. “And I really like the spirit of Team Helly-Hansen, because when we cut PC4 many teams took a car road but they preferred to go off the road, so we know that they have the perfect spirit for this race.”
The teams will now cycle south overnight for 178km to reach the Wildlife Conservation Society reserve of Karukinka, which was set up in 1994 to protect the fragile environment in Patagonia. From there, they will begin what is expected to be a crucial 114km of trekking through the notorious Darwin range.
CHECKPOINT TIMES
PC3
1. 4 Switzerland SWI Arr 9:00pm Dep 9:40pm (1)
2. 4 Switzerland SWI Arr 5:58am Dep 6:20am (2)
3. 16 Air Europa Bimont ESP Arr 9:50pm Dep 11:46pm (5)
4. 5 Untamed New England CDN Arr 6:20am Dep 6:25am (3)
5. 5 Untamed New England CDN Arr 10:18pm Dep 11:30pm (4)
7. 11 Nord Water FIN/SEW Arr 11:15pm Dep 3:30am (8)
8. 7 GearJunkie.com USA Arr 11:30am Dep 11:40am (6)
9. 15 Fast & Light UK Arr 1:35am Dep 6:25am (9)
10. 11 Nord Water FIN/SWE Arr 1:35pm
11. 8 Almas Patagónicas CL Arr 4:30am Dep 9:50am (13)
13. 3 Eddie Bauer USA Arr 6:25am Dep 7:50am (11)
PC6 (up to Feb 10, 10pm)
1. 5 Untamed New England CDN Arr 10:57am Dep 12:22pm (3)
3. 16 Air Europa Bimont ESP Arr 11:07am Dep 11.58am (2)
5. 9 Herbertz DE Arr 2:03pm Dep 3:55pm (5)
7. 6 Terra Mundo Lontra BRA Arr 6:45pm Dep 8:17pm (7)
CHECKPOINT 1 – SELK NAM Named for the aboriginal tribe that once inhabited the region, Selk Nam marks the start of the trekking section for this year’s race. Competitors will drag their kayaks onto the beach and travel 16 km along the shore to checkpoint two. Tide pools, whale bones and the occasional aboriginal artifact are found along this section.
CHECKPOINT 3 – ESTANCIA BLANCA ADRIANA The 26km trekking section begins at Estancia Blanca Adriana. Racers can expect to see shallow lakes and salt pans throughout this part of the trek.
CHECKPONT 6 – BLOQUÉ ERRÁTICO Bloqué Errático is situated on top of a windy hill, where racers will pick up their bikes and begin a 128km ride. This section of the race passes an interesting rock formation which protrudes from the side of a hill unlike any other formations in the area.
CHECKPOINT 8 – LODGE LAGO DESEADO This checkpoint, situated at the end of a lake with panoramic view of the mountains, is perhaps one of the most spectacular. Competitors will enjoy, if only briefly, incredible vistas of the area complete with a waterfall while trekking the 18km to checkpoint nine.
CHECKPOINT 10 – RIO AZOPARDO Another rope skills test for competitors, checkpoint ten is a Tyrolean Traverse across the Azopardo River. After they have crossed the river, racers continue trekking for 18km through peat bog and over a mountain pass.
CHECKPOINT 12 – CORDILLERA DARWIN Check point 12 brings racers into the heart of the Darwin Mountain range. The 18km route sticks mainly to valleys for travel but provides some awe-inspiring scenery.
CHECKPOINT 14 – GLACIER STOPANNE At this point racers pass the majestic Stopanne Glacier where they are presented with an amazing view of the Darwin range and begin to trek along the waters of Bahia Yendegaia, a fjord-like ocean channel.
CHECKPOINT 16 – BAHIA WULAIA At check point 16 competitors will pull their kayaks out of the water for the last time and begin the 9km trek to the top of Mt. King Scott, which was chosen specifically for its view of the Darwin Range.
CHECKPOINT 18 – PC CANAL BEAGLE This is the very last leg of the route. Competitors will be met with their bicycles in order to ride the 38km on gravel roads to the finish line at Puerto Williams.
