2009 Racers Arrive at End of World!

After what they’re calling "the adventure of a lifetime," English Team Helly Hansen-Prunesco arrived to the end of the continental Americas on February 16, 22:36, winning the 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race title. French Team Easy Implant Compagnie.com took second with Team Spirit Canada arriving third.

"It was truly an epic race. We took on some of the toughest weather and terrain Patagonia could throw at us, and to win is absolutely fantastic," said Bruce Duncan of the winning English foursome.

Racers from England, the United States, France, Australia, Canada, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Scotland covered almost 600 kilometres in this seventh edition of the race. They embarked from the famous glacier-filled, alpine paradise of Torres Del Paine National Park and traversed across the Southern Continental Ice Field until arriving at the 25 meter tall Cross of the Seas at the absolute end of the continent.

Unmatched in beauty and remoteness, the route featured long distance trekking sections through dense forests and the infamous Patagonian peat bog, big water kayaking with humpback whales, tremendous cliff ascents, and no shortage of fjords and glaciars.”

"This was a true expedition race, the most remote and challenging I have done. I hope it holds its values and format and loses none of its difficulty," said Nicola Macleod, the female captain of winning Helly Hansen-Prunesco. Returning competitors and aspiring racers need not worry. Race Director Stjepan Pavicic promises that 2010 will be the wildest adventure yet and will take racers deep into the untouched vastness of Tierra Del Fuego, the land of fire and ice.

2009 Photos

2009 Teams

Final Times
Place	Time	Teams
1st	131:04:00	16 - Helly Hansen - Prunesco
2nd	162:11:00	1 - Easy Implant - MT-Compagnie.com
3rd	162:23:00	14 - Spirit Canada
4th	PC-6	2 - Calleva
5th	PC-5	6 - Buff
6th	PC-4	15 - Trespass
7th	PC-4	7 - Medilast Sport - La Tercera
8th	PC-3	9 - Almas Patagonicas
9th	PC-2	8 - QuasarLontra Master

Racers Feedback

"Patagonia has met our expectations as one of the most prestine and unimaginably beautiful places on earth. The Wenger Patagonian Expedition was the most adventurous courses I've done and I will go back."
Druce Finlay, Team Calleva

"This is a real adventure. There are simply no other races out there like this one."
Jim Mandelli, Team Spirit Canada

"Thanks for a wonderful course and for taking calculated risk which allowed for awesome paddling and trekking sections. This was a true expedition race; the most remote and challenging I have done. It is what I am in the sport for: exploration, competition, teamwork and intense challenge in beautiful wilderness."
Nikola Macleod, Team Helly Hansen - Prunesco

"I have been in all the most famous adventure races worldwide, and this is the best in the world."
Bruno Rey, Team Easy Implant - MT-Compagnie.com

"It was an amazing race. It is a chance to explore Patagonia in depth, on your own, and in an adventurous environment. I know that I speak for many of the competitors when I say that I can't wait to come back."
Bruce Duncan, Team Helly Hansen - Prunesco