Brits Aim For Hat-Trick As World’s Wildest Race Heads To Chile Icefield

WENGER PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE STARTS FEBRUARY 8, 2011 Field of 14 international teams take on ultimate race in the Chilean wilderness Route to follow fjords and mountains along the Southern Continental Ice Field Race to raise funds for the protection of the Patagonian Huemul

The world’s last wild race will begin in Torres del Paine National Park on Tuesday February 8, with the reigning champions returning to defend their title against a field of 14 international teams in the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.

 

This year’s edition of the annual eco-endurance adventure promises to be one of the most spectacular and remote races ever created, with the competitors traveling more than 600km by bike, kayak and on foot in a bid to raise $20,000 towards the protection of the Patagonian Huemul.

The course, which runs from Torres del Paine National Park and finishes in Pale Aike National Park, is so remote that the organizers had to name valleys and regions to create the route map. Race Director, Stjepan Pavicic, believes it will test even the most experienced teams.

“This will be the ninth event we have planned in Chilean Patagonia, and I truly believe we have put together a real classic,” said Pavicic. “I thought I had seen it all, but when I went to explore this year’s course, I discovered some incredible remote and unnamed glaciers and some of the wildest scenery I have ever seen in this beautiful part of the world.

“The race is now globally recognized and becoming more popular every year and, more than ever, in 2011 we have a very competitive field. We are pleased to welcome back the reigning champions from the UK, and we look forward to seeing them face this challenge as they aim for a hat-trick of wins.”

The eventual winners of last year’s race were pushed to their limits when a fast-flowing river threatened to sweep them downstream during a demanding trekking section. This February, they return without team captain Nicola MacLeod, who is with the British Army in Afghanistan, while Fiona Spotswood replaces her boyfriend Andy Wilson and Nick Gracie joins Mark Humphrey and new team captain Bruce Duncan.

Spotswood had a tough experience preparing for the race in a UK event and explained: “One night, on Scafell Pike in the Lake District, I was low on sleep and was constantly stumbling and slipping on the treacherous wet rocks, falling dangerously close to some overhanging cliffs in the darkness. I couldn’t see in the cloud, wind and rain and was incredibly relieved when our team eventually managed to scramble off the top – I guess that’s good preparation for what we may experience in Patagonia!”

This year’s field includes a mix of pro and semi-pro racers and everyday adventurers as well as Croatian Darija Bostjancic, who summated Mount Everest in 2009. "After touching the top of the world the expectations rise higher with every adventure you take,” she said. “This race takes place in a completely isolated area, out of this modern world and participating in this adventure will be in some ways like landing on the Moon."

Teams have trained in all disciplines in a variety of locations, from sea kayaking in Tokyo harbour and trekking in Brazil’s biggest mountain range, to climbing staircases with heavy backpacks in New York’s skyscrapers and walking with pillows strapped to their feet to simulate the squishy turba (peat bog) that is typical of Chilean Patagonia.

Four teams will return from last year, hoping to capitalize on experience gained when the course took them through Karukinka, a conservation reserve of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the Darwin Range and the Beagle Channel. Others will meet for the first time on the plane during the long flight to ‘the end of the world’.

British team member Mark Humphrey explained: “After racing in and winning the last two events here, heading back out for a third time would seem like a crazy idea to some, but it’s because this is such a beautiful place, totally wild in terrain and exposure, and that makes this the wildest race in the world.

“There is no other that’s so challenging for an unsupported team in such extreme and diverse terrain and weather. It’s about keeping going when you are wet, cold, tired, happy, sad and hungry and wanting to stop and sleep. It’s a long way and a very long time to spend racing with four people and it is very important to work as a team.”

The race, which is title sponsored by Swiss Army Knife manufacturer Wenger, will be delivered to the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles and supports the Wildlife Conservation Society by raising awareness of its projects in Chile as well as aiming to help develop sustainable tourism and protect the region’s wilderness.

Funds for the Patagonian Huemul project – which are being raised through visitors to the race website during the event - will go towards a population research survey in Peninsular Brunswick and Muñoz Gamero, which will assist in the development of a protection plan for the critically endangered animal. The research is due to take place at the end of March.