PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE
2005 Edition

In February 2005 , the second edition of PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE unfolded. The race route took the teams through a stunning landscape, passing through territories that are extremely wild, pristine and isolated, on the way to the southernmost point on the American continent. Through 10 days of competition they travelled more than 660 kilometers, passing though glacial lakes, extensive peat bogs, icy rivers, deep fiords and unexplored mountains, finally to arrive at isolated and inhospitable Cape Froward, the geographic point that marks the continental end of the Americas.

Athletes from France, Canada, USA, Chile, Russia, Spain and Argentina accepted this great challenge: Laurent Ardito , Cathy Ardito, Frédéric Freddow, Jérome Bernard , Tom Zidek , Devon Smibert, Bonnie Seaborg, Mike Kotuk, Colleen Ihnken, Rob Harsh , Jeremy Rodgers, Scott Swaney, Gonzalo Godoy, Verónica Bravo, Jorge Sierra, Kauldi Rezola, Artem Rostovtsev, Andrey Ivanov, Mikhail Pershin, Alexandra Kontorina, Ignacio Cembellin , Nidia Barrientos, Eduardo Caputo, Rafael San Andres , Oscar Ferre, Nora Acuña, Nicolás Ruso, Gerardo Devita, Nicolas Pivcevic, Pablo Fernández, Natalia Armijo, Hernán Puga, Luis Castañeda, Luis Covarrubias, Ina Peralta, Juan Muñoz, Patrice Gaillard, Eric Mallet, Sandrine Tonneau, Frédéric Martin, Marcos Capurro, Raúl Mata, Dolores Avendaño and Pablo Varela.

In summary, to complete the great challenge of PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE 2005 , the teams had to cover a total of 295 km by mountain bike, 165 km by sea-kayak, and 202 km on foot, crossing through an impressive and pristine landscape that at times was very inhospitable. The total of only 10 control points throughout the 662 km course provides an indication of the style of this race, requiring the teams to be both self-sufficient and intelligent in the management of their resources. France , Canada and USA respectively took the first three places.

The winners: La Clusaz Raid Aventure (France)
Frédéric Freddow, Cathy Ardito, Laurent Ardito and Jerome Bernard

Reporters and film crews coming from Brazil , South Africa , Canada , Russia , France , Chile and Argentina closely followed the progress of the race.

About Wenger

Wenger was founded in 1893, in the Delémont, located in the famous Swiss Jura region. It has developed around a passion for innovation, precision and expert craftsmanship and is best known as the maker of the genuine Swiss Army knife. Today, the company produces approximately 250 styles of the famous pocket-knives, as well as butcher’s and professional catering knives known the world over. In 1997, Wenger Watch SA was founded in the hotbed for Swiss watches, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. In just 12 short years Wenger Swiss watches have developed a reputation for reliability, multi-functionality and performance. Within the last eight years, Wenger established relationships with a small number of industry leaders who began manufacturing Wenger-branded products that embody the characteristics of the world famous Swiss Army knife in the footwear, tent, backpack, sleeping bag, computer mobility and travel gear categories.