Raid the World Championship - Patagonia - Dec 2004

[ARReports]

The first Raid the World Championshipstarted on Sunday November 28th in Neuquén province in the Andes of Patagonia, Argentina. Comprising 25 top teams from around the world, the 640km course includes trekking, mountain biking, and paddling:

The best teams from five continents, qualifying through the overall ranking of the X-adventure Raid Series 2004, will compete in a non-stop, long distance raid lasting 5 to 7 days. A technically demanding and physically punishing race, including a variety of disciplines, bringing together the best athletes in the world - the Raid World Championship is unquestionably the race both racers and public alike have been waiting for: the reference in adventure racing, televised worldwide.

And TheRaid website has quite a few race updates and comments:

...During the night all the teams at the head of the race decided once more to add to their “official sleep total” by taking another 4-hours rest. In the early morning they set off to confront the 26km ...

...The steep slopes of the Lanin volcano could stop neither the Brits of SAAB SALOMON (GBR) nor NIKE ACG-BALANCE BAR (USA) in their relentless quest to become the first adventure racing world champions...

...This Monday morning, the 24 teams still in race on this World Championship attacked the “piece de resistance” of the course: the stunning ascension to the centre piece of this Andean lake district, ...

http://www.theraid.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/RaidSeries.woa/wa/PDA/s?s=1000164

[ARReports]

Here's an update on the Raid the World Championship 2004 from Fabrice at theraid.org:

At precisely 09:48, that is 5 days, 3 hours and 48 minutes after the start last Sunday, the first ever team to be crowned Raid World Champions, crossed the finishing line alone, after fighting tooth and nail for 90% of the race with the tenacious Brits of SAAB SALOMON (GBR)

The American adventure racing legends of NIKE ACG-BALANCE BAR swept into the finish at St Martin de los Andes on the wings of a brisk tail wind that filled their hoisted sails and sped them across the choppy waters of Lago Lacar to victory on this first ever Raid World Championship. 637km of some of the most fantastic and rugged scenery in the world lay behind them and only the accolades of spectators and fellow racers gathered to greet them, and a well earned rest, lay ahead. “This race really stands out for the quality of this magnificent course. It is one of the most enjoyable courses I have ever raced over,” extolled Michael TOBIN on the beach. “I am so honoured to race with this wonderful team, he continued.” Iconic team captain, Ian ADAMSON, summed it up when he told the cheering crowd that: “This is the best possible ending to what has been a marvellous year for us. To win the Raid World Championship over such a beautiful course in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Official results
http://www.theraid.org/cgi-bin/WebObjec ... &s=1000082

2005 race calendar
http://www.theraid.org/cgi-bin/WebObjec ... &s=1000164