PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE 2008

Going down from Death pass to the SE, the racers are still escorted by glaciers, but little by little the Lapataia River Valley opens up and turns the path into wetland and forest. In this area all the rivers that feed from glaciers are easily influenced by the changes in temperature. With warmer days the valleys can become giant swamps. In addition, during rainy days, these rivers become deeper.

The way is easier when heading south, away from Rio Lapataia and aiming towards Rio Yendegaia. It is here that the first signs of human habitation appear. The path belongs to Finca Yendegaia and leads to PC8 Yendegaia where there is a Police post (Carabineros de Chile) at Caleta Dos de Mayo.

As is usual in the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE, the trekking sections are extremely long and demanding and they lack clear paths, therefore, both physical and psychological teamwork are crucial.

Tuesday, February 19th

Once again we find ourselves immersed in total silence. All four teams left the press and organization staff behind. They are heading towards Death Pass to Yendegaia. The weather has not been kind to the racers. It has been raining heavily and the rivers are getting wider by the minute. Experience is a key element in order to complete this section.

19:00 hrs. With the idea of awaiting the teams at Yendegaia, the largest press group is taken via charter flight from the central part of Tierra del Fuego to Puerto Williams. This multinational group of photographers tried to follow the racers across the mountains in Karukinka, but the athletes were way too fast for them. Therefore the only chance to see them in action was by skipping Cordillera Darwin and meeting them at the other side.

19:57 hrs. we hear from team 1, www.autentic-nutrition.com (France-USA). They have completed this 4th trekking section in only 28 hours. Night falls and there are no signs of the other teams, yet they are still within time limit.

Wednesday, February 20th

Just before sunrise, some action takes place at PC8 Yendegaia.

03:38 hrs. Team 5 TEAM TUAREG TURK (Turkey) arrives seven hours after the leading group, and team 2 CANARIAS – ANDALUCIA SPIUK TENERIFE (Spain) shows up only 30 minutes later. Finally team 8 TEAM LITTLETON BIKE AND FITNESS (USA – Canada) finds its way to the PC. All 4 teams did it! The have crossed the Cordillera Darwin through the mythic Death Pass. They are now facing Canal Beagle.

PC8 Yendegaia - km 465
Place	Day	Arrival time	Team
1st	19	19:57	1- www.authentic-nutrition.com
2nd	20	3:38	5-Team Touareg Turk
3rd	20	4:16	2-Canarias - Andalucia Spiuk Tenerife
4th	20	9:36	8-Team Littleton Bike and Fitness
5th	-	Until PC6, Km 384	7- Medilast Sport Lleida – Sky
6th	-	Until PC4, Km 281	14- Raid 74.org - Sky Airlines
7th	-	Until PC4, Km 281	12-Punta Arenas - Chile
8th	-	Until PC4, Km 281	6-Quasar Contra Master
9th	-	Until PC4, Km 281	11-Montagne Team
10th	-	Until PC3+, Km 247	9- Club Patagonia.com
11th	-	Until PC3+, Km 247	4-Untamed Adventure

Thursday, February 21st

Due to logistical problems and beyond organization’s control, we were forced to cancel the last kayak section in Canal Beagle. Therefore, the race will finish at Yendegaia. It is a difficult situation to be in. The organization put a great deal of energy and time to have everything set and ready to go. The kayaks, staff, press, teams and even the weather were ready to kayak in these magical but often frightening waters, yet it was impossible. Nature said go on, however men’s will did not allowed us to proceed.

For a moment, sadness takes over the hearts of racers, press and staff. For the first time in the history of the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE, which has accumulated more than 4.000 kms, a section is suspended for reasons unrelated to weather conditions. With the passing of the hours the feeling of nostalgia for the race and the landscape it passes through becomes stronger. Up to this point there have been ten days through the magical Tierra del Fuego. Ten days of an unforgettable life time experience. Ten days that paid off a year, or even a lifetime of training.

France wins the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE for the third time!

Team 1, www.autentic-nutrition.com, comprised of Bruno Rey (Cap.), Teresa Ellen Dewitt, Cyril Margaritas, and Philippe Danneau, has overcome a big lead.

12:30 hrs. Racers, press and staff are transported to Puerto Williams in the vessel Victory through the waters of the Canal Beagle. It is indeed, a very special moment.

The final results are as followed:

Final Positions
Place	Total Time (hrs:min)	Team
1st	146:42	1- www.authentic-nutrition.com
2nd	158:31	2-Canarias - Andalucia Spiuk Tenerife
3rd	163:18	5-Team Touareg Turk
4th	167:31	8-Team Littleton Bike and Fitness
5th	Until PC6, Km 384	7- Medilast Sport Lleida – Sky
6th	Until PC4, Km 281	14- Raid 74.org - Sky Airlines
7th	Until PC4, Km 281	12-Punta Arenas - Chile
8th	Until PC4, Km 281	6-Quasar Contra Master
9th	Until PC4, Km 281	11-Montagne Team
10th	Until PC3+, Km 247	9- Club Patagonia.com
11th	Until PC3+, Km 247	4-Untamed Adventure

This is how the fifth summer edition of the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE comes to an end. Geography, long distances and weather conditions have merged into a demanding race for all those who joined us in this adventure at the end of the world. New experiences will be added to our magical log of the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE.

Press members that joined us for this edition: Michael Clark (USA), Lydia Mc Donald (USA), Michael Alan Tittel (USA), Mustafa Abdulaziz (USA), Richard Tony Hoare (Canada), Marcos Ferro (México/Argentina), Mark Watson (Australia), Nathan Ward (Asia), Gemma Pla (Spain), Martin Wittmann (Germany), Victoria Eglau (Germany), Oğuz Özdemir (Turkey), Ethem Tosun (Turkey), Gerhard Molkenthin (Germany), Ivan Buerhop (Germany), Walter Ramirez (Germany), Steve Scholl (Germany), Hanno Buerhop (Germany), and Max Clever (Germany).

Previous days

Saturday 9th February. Late this evening the opening ceremony of the 5th edition of the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE took place at Antarctic Hall courtesy of Empresa Portuaria Austral (EPA). Most of the highest regional authorities and officials joined us for this gathering. We had the opportunity to witness the cheerfulness and excitement of not only the racers but of the organization and press as well. This became clearer during the closing cocktail, where we offered our guests Chilean Pisco Sour. We welcome you all to Austral Patagonia--prepare yourselves for the wildest and southern most sporting event on the planet!

Welcome to Southern Chilean Patagonia,
Welcome to nature and adventure
Welcome to the experience known as PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE!

We would like to give special thanks to Hotel Finis Terrae, Hotel José Nogueira, Hotel Plaza, Hostal Hain, Hostal Oro Fueguino, Hospedaje Betty, Hostal Martita, Hotel Carpa Manzano, Hostal Karol, and Hostal Fitz Roy, for lodging journalists, cameramen and photographers that have come from the four corners of the world to be part of the 5th edition of the PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE. In addition we thank Sotitos Bar, Jekus, La Luna, La Marmita, Santino and Sabores who provided us with not only good meals but with a warm and typical Magellan atmosphere.

Sunday 10th February. Kayak and rope test are carried out fulfilling all expectations. There is also a thorough compulsory gear check for each discipline. Only team 12-Punta Arenas Chile, presents some difficulties during the kayak activities and therefore they will be able to paddle only if the conditions of the water are perfect. This is due to the fact that they have not mastered the mandatory self rescue techniques.

Monday 11th February. During the morning the Race Director Stjepan Pavicic, the Kayak and Mountain Directors and the Chief Doctor gather with the team captains to hand out the route book and the maps needed for the whole race.