Yak
XPD Course Revealed
The anticipation and excitement was incredible as the teams were provided with their course booklets and maps (all 21 of them) at 8am this morning. Craig talked through the course and highlighted prominent details of each leg, while outlining the logistics in more detail.
What a relief and release of anxious tension for teams to have the course at last! Having spent more time with race preparation in Cairns by now than adventure races often are in length (24/36 hours), it was a common sentiment for teams to report that they had been feeling a bit ‘flat’ awaiting the release of more specific race details, unable to further plan and pack with purpose.
Teams had all sorts of different approaches to tackling the course route and information: linking up all the maps; photocopying the booklets so multiple people could focus on different aspects of it (rules, equipment/packing, course navigation) at one time; packing maps into boxes; cutting out just the relevant parts of the maps to take with them (hope they don’t wander off course!); measuring distances; calculating calories require; retiring to accommodation; spreading out in the Rydges ballroom; splitting up to do different tasks; and plain out denial!
The variety of reactions to the course was just as diverse. Quotes overheard:
- “It looks a VERY long way!”
- “The start looks fun and we’re too scared to look at the rest!”
- “Some very long and daunting legs – and not just my right and left ones!”
- “We were only worried before – now we are terrified!”
- “The first 1.5 days look amazing … ”
- “I think we’ve undertrained for the wheelbarrow leg”
- “Now that last hike is just adding injury to insult!”
- “I wouldn’t like to be a team doing that part in the dark!”
Mid afternoon the teams delivered their bikes in boxes (4 per team, max 30kg), plus their trunks (5 per team, max 25kg each) and paddle bag (max 30kg) to be weighed and loaded on to the logistics trucks – that’s a few gym workouts worth of lifting just there! Many boxes and trunks received impressive artistic attention and individual adornment from their owners: paint, Velcro, thatching, reflector strips, team and personal name tagging and custom made labels.
A chilled solidarity in preparation tension was clear as teams progressed through the weigh-in line, followed by a common lift and lightness of energy after submitting their ‘baggage’ – an ease delivered from surrendering to the inevitability of their expedition and adventure to come now.
The last of the administration duties entailed sealing up the GPS and optional mobile phone units for each team and issue of the TrackMe360 SPOT units that will enable live tracking of the event online.
From the number and type of boxes that were seen entering and being delivered to Rydges on Tuesday night, it appears that pizza is VERY popular with XPD-ers!
Cairns XPD2010 will start on Wednesday in Great Barrier Reef territory, first up with hiking and snorkeling at Dunk Island and sea kayaking through stinger territory over to Mission Beach. Next will be 100km of mountain biking up the Tully Gorge via El Arish and Australia’s wettest town, Tully (rainfall 7.4m/year), up onto the Cardwell Range where all teams will wait out the dark zone until Thursday 0630 (Day 2) when the first in will be first to raft the Tully’s white water.
Follow the race online at http://geocentric.geo-loco.com/xpd/default.aspx
XPD Race Director Welcomes Competitors to Australia
“The amount and severity of dangerous fauna and flora in this neck of the woods has the potential to be quite overwhelming – box jellies, irikanji, stinging trees, crocodiles, spear grass, cassowaries, ticks, leeches, snakes, wasps, wait-a-while, lantana, blackberries, spiders … anyone still keen to race?”
The day began with all teams registering and an official welcome from XPD Director, Craig Bycroft. Each team had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the rest of the field and say a few words as they collected their official race bibs. Fast-paced, 30-seconds each – we heard all variety of snappy and witty, humble, controversial, enthusiastic, sarcastic and quirky comments, sponsor plugging and also insights into some teams’ goals, experience and rivals.
This is the first XPD or expedition length adventure race for many of the teams, quite a few having only one previously seasoned member among them. Also for several teams it is the first time they have actually met in person due to reasons such as geographic location or needing a sudden new team member perhaps only days before arriving in Cairns.
The new teams are all in such great spirits and full of enthusiasm to give it their best and just have a go, an Aussie characteristic that Canadian team Race the Rockies (35) commented is unknown for similar new teams at their home events. Several of the US teams further commented that the high reputation of XPD internationally not only reflects it World Series quality, but also its capacity to foster new expedition adventure racers.
Serial XPDers and seasoned expedition length adventure racers from overseas were humble in honoring the large contingent of strong national and international teams present at this year’s event, highlighting the uncertainty and increased competition this will bring to the event – we are in for a treat of fantastic suspense once the starting guns fires.
The bulk of the day centered on teams ticking off their competency and equipment checks under the shady Esplanade trees and in the resort pool: team photos and bio updates; navigation and GPS; first aid; ‘all time – on person’ equipment checks; and kakak skills. Lots of shopping and then food preparation was going on in team accommodation … and lots of resting up and just waiting for the course to be released.
First aid was a bit of an eye opener (and fear raiser) for most teams and not just the international visitors! The amount and severity of dangerous fauna and flora in this neck of the woods has the potential to be quite overwhelming – box jellies, irikanji, stinging trees, crocodiles, spear grass, cassowaries, ticks, leeches, snakes, wasps, wait-a-while, lantana, blackberries, spiders … anyone still keen to race? Some of these things give the most painful and most deadly encounters for their type IN THE WORLD!! An easy consensus the dangerous biodiversity is the biggest concern for teams at this stage.
Follow the race online at http://geocentric.geo-loco.com/xpd/default.aspx
Adventure Racing National Championship Heads to Moab, Utah
The first ever Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing National Championship will take place on October 29th, 2010 at the world famous Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah.
350 of the nations best adventure racers will compete in 6 divisions to determine who among them is tough enough, smart enough and determined enough to beat all comers on an all new, world class course created by Gravity Play Sports, a well known and respected event production company based in Durango, Colorado.
In keeping with the fact that only the top ranked Checkpoint Tracker teams will be invited to attend, Gravity Play has created an epic course worthy of a national championship. Racers will face mountain biking, trekking, rappelling, white water kayaking, canyoneering and ropes as they navigate by map and compass through the breathtaking natural terrain that’s made Moab a favored destination for adventure seeking outdoor athletes the world over.
“When we made the decision to launch our own national championship in 2010 I immediately made the decision that the venue had to be world class”, said Paul Angell, President of Checkpoint Zero, LLC. “Moab’s unrivaled landscape and unpredictable weather are a perfect fit for adventure racing and the Red Cliffs Lodge provides an idyllic setting combined with exceptional lodging and event facilities. I think this race will earn a special place in adventure racing history. October 29th can’t get here soon enough.”
While the focus of the Checkpoint Tracker National Championship is the race itself, there will be more going on than just fierce competition between the best adventure racers in the country. Attendees will be treated to a Vendor Village, seminars by adventure racing legend Ian Adamson and a post race party and awards ceremony. The top ranked teams in each division will share in a prize purse valued at over $30,000 including $10,000 in cash and an all expenses paid trip to compete in the 2010 Adu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.
Checkpoint Tracker is fortunate to have the support of a growing list of exceptional sponsors including Hi-Tec Sports, Tech4o, the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, SOG Specialty Knives & Tools, Mountains Plus, Swiftwick, Ultimate XC, Zoik Inflatables, Breathe Magazine, MyTopo.com, Brooks-Range Mountaineering, Numa Sport Optics, Headsweats, nuun andSportMulti. Additional category exclusive sponsorship opportunities are available.
About Checkpoint Tracker
Checkpoint Tracker is the largest national, competitive adventure racing series in the United States. It is comprised of over 85 events ranging from Sprint length races lasting just a few hours to Expeditions that run non-stop for several days. Racers and Teams create free profiles at CheckpointTracker.com and compete in participating events to earn points that contribute towards their national ranking. Top ranked teams in each of the six Checkpoint Tracker divisions (Solo Male, Solo Female, 2 Person Coed, 2 Person Open, Open Elite and Coed Elite) will be invited to compete in the inaugural Checkpoint Tracker National Championship. For more information visit http://www.checkpointtracker.com.
Checkpoint Tracker Welcomes Adventure Racing Legend Ian Adamson
Ian Adamson
Checkpoint Zero, LLC announced today that Ian Adamson, the winningest adventure racer in the history of the sport, will be working with the company on it’s long term strategy for the Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing Series and with production of the Checkpoint Tracker National Championship which is set for October 29th at an as yet unannounced venue in the Rocky Mountain Region.
“To say that we’re excited to have Ian on board would be to understate the obvious”, said Paul Angell, President of Checkpoint Zero, LLC. “Ian’s adventure racing experience and event production expertise are unrivaled. His involvement will help ensure that Checkpoint Tracker reaches it’s potential to reshape the landscape of competitive adventure racing in the US and beyond.”
In addition to providing Checkpoint Zero with his insights about how best to leverage Checkpoint Tracker’s dramatic growth since the 2009 season (86 events in 2010 vs 23 in 2009), Ian will be contributing a monthly blog post on a wide range of adventure racing topics. He will also attend the Checkpoint Tracker National Championship where he will address competitors at the Pre-Race Briefing and Awards Ceremony and deliver two seminars for attendees, one on event production for adventure racing promoters and another for adventure racers on “natural running”.
“Checkpoint Tracker is an exciting development in the evolution of competitive adventure racing”, commented Ian. “I think it offers a remarkable opportunity to introduce adventure racing to a wider audience. I’m very happy to have been asked to be a part of it and I’m eager to get started.”
About Checkpoint Zero
Checkpoint Zero is an adventure racing focused sports marketing company based in Greenville, SC. The company operates the popular adventure news website http://www.checkpointzero.com and produces Checkpoint Tracker (http://www.checkpointtracker.com), the largest national competitive adventure racing series in the United States.
About Ian Adamson
Ian Adamson is a 7x World Champion, 3x Guinness World Record holder for endurance kayaking (262 miles in 24 hours) and Director of Research & Education at Newton Running. You can read more about Ian and his remarkable career at http://www.ianadamson.com.
Brooks-Range Mountaineering Sponsors Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing
Brooks-Range Mountaineering Equipment announced today that the company will be the Official Map Tool of Checkpoint Tracker Adventuring Racing and the Checkpoint Tracker National Championship, a national Adventure Racing event that will culminate after 85 regional events and is set for October 29, 2010 in the Rocky mountain region.
In addition to providing product to the adventure race winners both regionally and nationally, Brooks-Range has sought input on product development from representatives of the organization, making the products worthy of the Checkpoint Tracker endorsement. The Checkpoint Tracker logo will be included on the Brooks-Range Adventure Racing Map Tool line of products, including the Adventure Racing Map Tool Pro and the Pocket Adventure Racing Map Tool.
“We’re very excited to have partnered with Brooks Range Mountaineering to design what we think will quickly become the gold standard in mapping tools for adventure racers,” commented Paul Angell, president of Checkpoint Zero, LLC. “Their support of Checkpoint Tracker will help ensure that we are able continue pursuing our long-term goal of offering adventure racers the most innovative and exciting competitive adventure racing series in existence today.”
The Brooks-Range Adventure Racing Map Tool line of products, including the Adventure Racing Map Tool Pro and the Pocket Adventure Racing Map Tool will be available online at www.brooks-range.com this summer.
About Brooks-Range
Brooks-Range is a manufacturer of mountaineering and outdoor equipment located in Fremont, Calif., providing innovative, top-quality backcountry and outdoor gear for professional guides and recreational travelers alike. Brooks-Range products — designed to deliver the ultimate in utility, comfort and safety in the backcountry and outdoors – are tested by some of the world’s top mountaineering, avalanche and backcountry professionals. These experts form the core of the Brooks-Range Advisory Board. Most products are made in the USA and are sold at outdoor retail shops nationwide, and on the web at www.brooks-range.com.
About Checkpoint Tracker
Checkpoint Tracker is the largest national competitive adventure racing series in the United States. It is comprised of more than 80 events ranging from Sprint length races lasting just a few hours to Expeditions that run non-stop for several days. Racers and Teams create free profiles at: Checkpointtracker.com and compete in participating events to earn points that contribute towards their national ranking. Top ranked teams in each of the five Checkpoint Tracker divisions (Solo, 2 Person Coed, 2 Person Open, Open Elite and Coed Elite) will be invited to compete in the inaugural Checkpoint Tracker National Championship.
XPD Live Web Site Unveiled, Offers Unprecedented Coverage
The XPD race site is now live. In 2 weeks time, 47 teams from over 7 different countries will be embarking on an expedition into the unknown in tropical north Queensland.
Follow their final preparations and their every movement in the race at http://geocentric.geo-loco.com/xpd/
Live GPS tracking and team blogs from the course will give viewers at home an unprecedented insight into the highs and lows of expedition adventure racing. There will also be live feeds linked via twitter, race reports as well as video footage and photos.
NBC’s World of Adventure Sports Treks to Abu Dhabi for Epic May 2nd Episode
The World of Adventure Sports® (WOAS), an action and adventure sports series, will air on Sunday, May 2nd at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT.
Pat Parnell of NBC Sports brings viewers the second episode of the 2010 season from Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
The next episode will feature:
- The Oakley Arctic Challenge: Some of the World’s best riders come together for one of the sickest snowboard events on the planet. Created in 1999 my legendary boarder, Terje Haakonsen, the Oakley Arctic Challenge has become an undisputed pillar in the history of snowboard progression. It’s an event that clings to the key values of the athletes and paves the way for upcoming talent and evolution of the sport.
- The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge: 40 teams from all corners of the world will compete in this multi-discipline outdoor adventure race that will test both skill and endurance as they take on the 2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Race. Teams battle through six consecutive days of grueling competition spanning the remarkable landscape of the Arabian Peninsula. Disciplines include; sea-kayaking, cross-orienteering, running, mountain biking and swimming. With an increase of 50km to the route this 428km race is sure to be the longest and toughest challenge yet.
- Red Bull Cold Rush: WOAS visits the mind blowing terrain of Retallack, British Columbia for Red Bull Cold Rush to experience one of the most impressive freeskiing displays on the continent. Over the course of three days, skiers will push the limits and challenge each other in the disciplines of big mountain, backcountry slopestyle and cliff zone. At the conclusion of each day, the athletes gather to watch the footage of their fellow freeskiers and judge them on a ranking system; the rider with the most points at the end of three days is declared the best all around skier.
The World of Adventure Sports® (WOAS), an action and adventure sports series, will air on Sunday, May 2nd at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT. Pat Parnell of NBC Sports brings viewers the second episode of the 2010 season from Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
For more information, photos and video clips from past episodes please visit the newly redesigned www.WorldofAdventureSports.com.
Checkpoint Tracker Winner Will Compete in Abu Dhabi
Checkpoint Tracker Adventure Racing is thrilled to announce that for the 3rd year in a row the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority will award the overall Checkpoint Tracker points winner in the Coed Elite division a free entry to the 2010 edition of what has quickly become the premier event of it’s kind anywhere the world, the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge.
Racers head into the Liwa Desert from the Qasr al Sarab resort
The ADAC is a multi-sport race in which coed teams of 4 race over 6 consecutive days in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Disciplines include Sea Kayaking, Cross Orienteering, Mountain Biking, Adventure Running, Rope Activities.
Past Checkpoint Tracker winners that have gone on to race in Abu Dhabi include nuun-SportMulti and Checkpoint Zero.
The addition of this exceptional prize brings the value of the 2010 Checkpoint Tracker Prize Purse to over $30,000 in cash, gear from Checkpoint Tracker’s partners and entry fees to ADAC and the Ultimate XC. No other adventure racing organization in the United States offers such a large, and growing, prize purse.
Untamed Adventure, Primus, and Origo Extend Partnership
Untamed Adventure Racing announces the extension of sponsorships with Primus (efficiency stoves and camping gear) and Origo (performance and utility watches ideal for adventurous lifestyles) for the August 12th Adventure Racing World Championship qualifier ‘Untamed New England’ after a successful presentation of the 3-day alpine stage race ‘Untamed Switzerland’ held on April 9th.
Origo and Primus provided prizes and support for Untamed Switzerland and will continue that support in an expanded role for Untamed New England. The creation of a Primus stoves “full service” checkpoint is in the works for this summer’s Untamed New England. The checkpoint will allow exhausted athletes to prepare and eat hot meals days into the race using Primus gear.
“Having brands like Primus and Origo supporting our event mean the world to us,” said Untamed Adventure Racing director Grant Killian. “There are few things, if any, more important to adventure racers than gear that lives up to their expectations and we know those are some of the highest expectations out there. Both Primus and Origo live up to the stringent tests of our racers and we hope our racers can live up to the challenges we have in front of them in Switzerland and New England.”
Primus is known for its energy efficient high-end camping and expedition stoves. The EtaPower system combines a light weight with versatility, durability, and the fastest boil time. Primus also offers a full line of camping gear including lanterns, cookware, headlamps, flashlights, and tents. The Origo line of watches range from the Guide Pro Series ideal for the hunter or fisherman to the Granite Peak, Rendezvous Peak, and Traverse Peak series that combine a variety of utilities ideal for the adventure racer or wilderness navigation.
Untamed Adventure is an organization dedicated to balancing rugged endurance competition with environmental responsibility. With over 500 teams having crossed our race starting lines since 2004, Untamed Adventure’s multi-sport events maximize participant return on investment by keeping our race fees affordable, but not cutting corners where it really counts. You can tell a difference. Visit www.UntamedAdventure.com for more information.
For more on Origo and Primus visit www.origowatch.com and www.primuscamping.com.
Raid the North Extreme Returns September 2010
BC’s Kootenay Rockies has been selected as the destination for the 2010 edition of the internationally acclaimed expedition race Raid the North Extreme, to be held September 4-12, 2010. The event is organized by Frontier Adventure Sports & Training, Inc. (Frontier), Canada’s premier adventure racing company.
Frontier first hosted Raid the North Extreme (RTNX) in 1999, and it is now one of the world’s most recognized expedition-length adventure races. Renowned for its focus on real wilderness, real navigation, and real adventure, RTNX is a traditional wilderness adventure race. Over 6 days, co-ed teams of four will navigate a 500km+ expedition over an unmarked route by canoe, kayak, mountain bike, fixed ropes, and on foot.
“It’s hard to imagine a better place for a wilderness expedition race than the Kootenay Rockies,” said Geoff Langford, RTNX Race Director. A pristine region of rivers, lakes and waterfalls; alpine meadows and jagged snow-capped mountains; beaches and hot springs, the Kootenays grabs at the adventurer’s soul.
The Kootenays are world-renowned for unbeatable mountain biking trails, including Rossland’s Seven Summits Trail, named one of IMBA’s Epic Trails. And of BC’s seven national parks, four are in the Kootenays.
For thousands of years, this area was home to the Kootenai First Nations, who were recognized for their incredible paddling skills, as they travelled the region by water. In the mid-1800’s, the Gold Rush changed the Kootenays forever, and has left a legacy and history of the spirit of exploration.
Raid the North Extreme is about more than a challenging wilderness expedition; the race has always served as a platform to highlight the host region’s history, character, and First Nations communities. The rich mining and pioneer spirit of the area will capture the imagination of racers as they experience dormant volcanoes, abandoned railway trestles and tunnels, old mining claim access trails, and ghost towns.
And of course, racers will never be alone with the abundant wildlife of the area, as plentiful populations of eagles, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, and bears make the area home.
“We’re very pleased that RTNX will take place in the Kootenays this year” stated Kevin Jolly, Chair of the Lower Columbia Community Development team (LCCDT). “It’s a great opportunity to showcase and position the region as a great place to live, work and play to outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world” stated Jolly.
Co-ed teams of four are expected to travel to the race from all corners of Canada and the US, as well as Australia, New Zealand, the UK and South America. Frontier provides teams with a true wilderness expedition experience: armed with maps and a compass, they must select their own routes between checkpoints, often navigating more than 75kms with no course markings. Only magnetic north and a sense of adventure will guide their way.
Teams receive their maps one day in advance to allow just enough time to plan their route and strategy. Navigation is often the single biggest challenge of this race, although unpredictable autumn weather in the Rockies will also impact who wins, and even who finishes.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Registration will open April 26 online at www.RaidTheNorthExtreme.com.
Registration is $4500 CDN per team, with online credit card payment available. Teams that register quickly will receive a pleasant surprise – the first 10 teams to register will get early pricing of $3995 CDN.
Registration for this 6-day, non-stop race includes one night accommodations before and after the event and shuttles to and from the regional airport. All watercraft will be provided and this will be an unsupported race. As well, teams are treated to opening and closing ceremonies, pre- and post-race meals, including a legendary post-race party, and one of the best race courses ever laid out in North America — in true Raid the North Extreme style. Frontier builds race courses that traverse the landscape as nature would have it – and as historic explorers already have.
RACE SUMMARY
WHAT: Raid the North Extreme 2010
WHERE: The Kootenay Rockies of BC
WHEN: September 4-12, 2010
OPERATED BY: Frontier Adventure Sports & Training Inc., Canada’s premier adventure racing company
REGISTRATION: Registration opens April 26, 2010 at 12noon EST, online at www.RaidTheNorth.com.
Registration is limited to 50 teams
First 10 teams receive early pricing of $3995 CDN.
ABOUT FRONTIER ADVENTURE SPORTS & TRAINING INC
Frontier Adventure Sports & Training Inc (Frontier) is the leading adventure racing company in Canada, operating the popular Raid the North and Frontier Adventure Challenge series. Now in its thirteenth year of operation, Frontier has established an international reputation for solid logistics and challenging race courses. Providing traditional wilderness adventure race experiences has been Frontier’s focus since day one. Often building courses around the history and traditions of the regions competitors travel through, Frontier remains true to its slogan: Real Wilderness. Real Navigation. Real Adventure.