19 Teams from 15 Countries Set To Begin 2011 Costa Rica Adventure Race
A total of 19 teams with representatives from 15 countries are now ready to begin the adventure of Costa Rica Adventure Race 2011. This Saturday at Ciudad Toyota facilities in San Jose, were hold the Opening Ceremony with the participation of all athletes, organizers and sponsors of the second edition, of more than the 10 that comprise the International Circuit Adventure Race World Series.
In addition to the launch events, Saturday held the accreditation of national and international teams, making the official photo and the output of the whole group to Horquetas de Sarapiqui, where the event will start this Monday at 7 am.
The second edition of the Adventure Race in Costa Rica has a total of 19 teams, with members from countries like Spain, Finland, France, Denmark, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and of course Costa Rica .
Alexander Baker, Race Director said that 2011 is the expectation that a second edition could do better than last year and spread worldwide potential of Costa Rica as a destination for adventure tourism recreational and competitive, especially taking into account the quality of athletes will be competing.
“Like last year, we have teams in the top 10 in the world, professional teams and amateur teams. There is a difference between professional and amateur teams, but the spirit of adventure is the same. We have the team champion and others who have been top 5 in some of the latest editions of the circuit. On the other hand we have teams with less experience but just come to be measured against the more experienced, “said Baker.
A secret 540-kilometer route in the Caribbean zone of Costa Rica is what awaits these men of iron and to be healed through disciplines such as mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, ropes, mountain hikes and canopy. All this without the use of motor transport and at the mercy of the natural difficulties of climate and terrain, while enjoying the great scenic beauty and also supporting the great tourist potential in this region that counts.
“The Caribbean requires a boost from all institutions, so that Limon becomes an important tourist destination such as La Fortuna and the central and northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The area of Limon is one of the poorest in the country and needs the support of the entire tourism sector. Also highlight the unique beauty of the province, such as Tortuguero, Cahuita National Park and its Afro-Caribbean culture, among others, is one of our main goals, “explained Alexander Baker.
For Sunday the whole lot of competitors and organizations participated in a tree planting activity, there will also check equipment will be mandatory and the general assembly and delivery of maps.
The format of the race is “non-stop,” a continuous path where each team of 4 people will have to go through 33 different checkpoints, browsing only through the use of map and compass, trying to get to the finish on the Friday before from 6 pm, when it closes.
Team Explore Wins 2010 Costa Rica Adventure Race
Tonight at 8:05pm our first team crossed the finish line, the Swedish team #17, Explore. After 84 hours of racing, including 185km of mountain biking that ended just a few kilometers before the end, they entered Playa Samara where a big crowd of staff, media and other competitors who are no longer in the race greeted them with cheers, flashes and applause. Everybody wanted to witness the last steps of a team that set the race pace since the beginning and remained strong through it all, even despite Per Vestling’s very bad knee. At some point the paramedics recommended him to stop, but he inspired so many by walking through that finished line, doing what he did best, smiling big!
Helena Lindnord from the swedish media accompanying team Explore, was interviewing Jari Kirkland earlier today, and Jari said before resting or showering she wanted a juicy hamburger and french fries! And her wishes were granted, and her whole team got a share, as well as some ice cold beer that went with meal.
That closed the action for Playa Samara tonight. The remaining 4 teams that remain in elite competition have been neutralized at checkpoint 36 for safety reasons and will spend the night there once they arrive. Tomorrow at the crack of dawn team Quechua #12 will be released at 4am, then Bosi Zoom Radio #15 at 4:30am and all other teams and racers at 5am.
The second place is expected to arrive at the finish line at 7:30am.
We’ll keep you all posted tomorrow!
Battle For 1st Continues At Costa Rica Adventure Race
The two leading teams fighting for the first place, Explore and Quechua set off at the same time for the sky trek at 8.37 yesterday evening.
The Colombian team Bossi , who arrived at midnight set off at 2.50 early morning, with a 2 hours difference from the French, are in third place. Safety Costa Rica set out at 5.p.m for the BTT. The third and fourth places are being disputed by the Costarricans and Colombians. Both teams are minutes apart, with a steady pace throughout the entire race, just as in the case of the first and second teams.
The two members of the Finnish team Omjakon, who are still participating with no chance of qualifying, arrived to the sky trek at 5.10a.m. The Brazil Quasar team, also with only two members left and out of competition, arrived at 6.10 am to start the next task. Despite their circumstances and keeping in with the spirit, these two teams keep fighting hard.
Yesterday, due to the time differences between the teams, several have been advanced from one point to the next, skipping some of the tasks, which will be penalized in the final results. Many teams have been forwarded from point control 20 at the Fortuna sports center, to a point further ahead. The team Genie (team 8) along with the Canadian team, were transferred from point control 20 to point control 25 at Carrillo beach, were they will continue with the kayak task. The other French team, Wenger (team 3) was transferred from point control 20 to point control 28 in Monteverde.
Today several teams have been sanctioned for skipping the last trekking section: Bimbache ( team14) from Spain; Costa Rica´s Caribe (team 6 ) and Orosi (team 7), who have been forwarded from point control 25, Carrillo beach, to point control 27, sky trek. One of the members of Bimbache has managed the last few hours with medical care as his feet are totally in shatters.
Meanwhile, Wenger team is waiting to start the sky trek in order to continue with the mountain bike task.
The final hours will prove a real adventure race for all!!!
Landslides Delay Leaders At Costa Rica Adventure Race
The race is getting more and more exciting as the heading teams approach the finish line. All day Wednesday, Sweden´s Explore (team 17) have been in first position since day 1 , followed by the French Quechua ( team 12) who have been gaining positions throughout the race, leaving the other teams behind them, and are now in second place.
The French team, Quechua, arrived first at point control 20 in La Fortuna of San Carlos, where they had to spend 4 hours at the sports center, due to a foot injury of one of its members, caused by the edge of the drum in which they keep their equipment. Therefore he needed special medical care.
But they were on the go feeling stronger than ever leading the race, with the goal to reach the Swedish. They managed to get to the kayak point barely 20 minutes behind the Swedish. At the kayak task, they had to row hard for 24 km and start the mountain trekking starting at Rancho Margo Hotel in Lake Arenal to the sky trek in Monteverde.
The Swedish and French teams, who both set out late afternoon, arrived at the entrance of the sky trek, point control 26, at the same time: 7.20am. Team Explore finished the mountain bike trail heading the race, but barely 9 minutes before the Quechua, at 8.37p.m.
Early evening they started the bike cruise of 171 km from Monteverto to Carrillo Beach. The heavy rains have caused many land slides along the way and Quechua tried to find an alternative way, at the cost of precious time.
At 5 am today, Explore had 2 hours advantage as they rode passed Puerto Morenos and are still going strong towards the finish line. Still ahead of them, 2 km of kayak in Carrillo beach and 2km of trekking along the beach till Villas Playa Samara, the final point.
GPS Tracking and Leaderboard at http://www.arcostarica.com.