Hi allJust back from the selections in Brazil, it was a trully a unique experience!
For those that are looking only for the result, i will make it short as I did not make through the International Selections.
Now, more importantly I would like to share what I been through over the weekend.
We had 10 finalists selected, but one did not make it ( not sure reason), however there were only 2 girls (that although were basically there, they both put on a great performance and were both elite adventure racers). So the competition for the male spot was disputed among 7 guys including me. Out of them, 5 were experienced adventure racers (4 disputed World Championships in Adventure races) and only me and another guy with "some" exposure to that, so things were looking hard at the outset.
We went into our base for the selections in the countryside and were given the brieffing by Nora Audra, the Brazilian contestant for the 2006 event, who finished 5th and as the best placed female ever.
We started our mini challenge on Saturday with many trial stages that went into the night and included runs, orienteering, kayaking, off-road, and written tests for mechanical, first-aid and English knowledge.
The physical element was the hardest for me, not only because working 12h in an office leaves not much for training, but also that the competition was really strong!
We set our camp and went all sleep after a good meal to start by 7am on Sunday.
The day ahead was full of activities and started with a multi-task challenge that started with a puzzle, than we had 3 task (GPS orienteering, run/ kayaking/ off-road). I was given the opportunity to choose my other 2 partners opted to pick a couple that train for adventure race together for over 2 years. It couldnt worked better. While we were the last to leave the puzzle, we worked very well as a team. I found the strategic reference point on the first task and when we got the envelopes we realiased the other team didnt yet, so we had quite a lead despite the late start. Then they help me through the running course (Valdemar actually pushed me for quite some time) nd then onthe last task on the off-road course, I could give it back to the team to get a faultless stage and a first finishon the stage.
This reminded me of Bryan and Martin Dreyer helping team mates to get through the stage. This is trully the spirit and I was lucky enough to experience that!
The day went on with more off-road acitivities, relatively light for the more experienced and then we got the Terminator, which was a 400/500m run course that finished with a steep climb on a sandy path. We would run and the last one would be eliminated until the last one. At noon and sun on our heads (30-35C) that was a killer and to make it worst, there were 2 dry-runs...the easist path was to give in, but I went through it and manage to bet other 3 competitors for my surprise.. the last 2 were given a 2 lap runs to find the winner and was painfull only to watch! Incredible!
Then we went to the ropes, which was quite techical with ascension (Jumar), horizontal tresspass with obstacles and then a rapel downwards again. That was for me the hardest one and I could not finish in time.
The last event was a complex mixture of run up and downhill, swimming ina lake, more run/ orienteering, kayaking and a final sprint!
What a event, really challenging us to the limit, amazing sport and all with our known orange background.
It was great to meet with Nora and after the results (I actually came 6th, beating one of the girls and 2 other guys)
I talked to her about the club, took some pictures and gave her a couple of stickers. She gave me one of her original Challenge t-shirts with an autograph, which we will keep to the club archives!
Anyway, maybe a too long post, but wanted to share this amazing experience with you all.
I did not have many pics, but will sure get some from the media and the other competitors and will post
Cheers
PS: I drove a new G4 Challenge Defender Puma ;-)