Thursday, May 31, 2007
AR Injuries 101 - TNF Greater China in recovery mode
Update #6 - ARWC 2007
May 31, 1152hrs GMT - The Inn, Dalwhinnie, Scotland
Just got off the phone with Esther. The team is in recovery mode now, having had a solid night's sleep and a good feed.
Esther's knee was a chief concern for her, as she was uncertain if it would be able to hold up to the uneven terrain of the second big trek of the race. Stuart's back was playing up, as was Ryan's inflammed left wrist following the first 60km paddle. Stone's shoulder pain was causing problems during the short paddle across Loch Ness, and would have definitely affected his ability to push hard on the next big paddle leg.
Overall, these accumulated ailments entailed that rather than risk permanent injury, the team decided to make the best of their time here in Scotland in other ways (other than suffering through the rest of the epic ARWC course).
Speaking to other racers, the general opinion was that this was truly an ambitious (over-ambitious?) route that would only be enjoyed by a team worthy of the title of 'World Champion'. Other teams would more likely fall by the wayside - as indeed was what happened to them in the past 48 hours. A keen study of the leaderboard and satellite tracking map will give one a clearer idea. But it is when one actually watches these teams push the limits of their own endurance and willpower - in the flesh - that one really appreciates the fact that maybe, just maybe, this race may be too much for even the best of the best.
A retrospective account of the race would not do it justice. To see the shit going down, here and now, is what it's really all about... pain, camaraderie, agony, hope, anguish, grit. The competition against each other has faded into the background for many teams - and the race has become more of a battle against the forces of Mother Nature more than anything else.
Nike is currently blitzing the course and is expected to summit Ben Nevis later today. Wils Helly Hansen, having enjoyed a good run for most of the course as the lead team, is grimly hanging on to second spot, while Kiwi squad Orion is slogging it out in third place. Balance Vector, typically unbeatable on the kayak, got passed by Bjurfors on the current paddling stage - a rare occurrence by any means. Teams Aberdeen Asset Management (the top UK squad) and Sole have had to retire two members each, and have joined forces to continue the journey as an unranked hybrid team. Team Halti is sorely disappointed to be racing on the short course - they will miss the full course cut-off on the upcoming kayaking stage. They had spent too much time languishing at TA6 during last night's bitingly cold and wet conditions.
Wilson
Scotland
May 31, 1152hrs GMT - The Inn, Dalwhinnie, Scotland
Just got off the phone with Esther. The team is in recovery mode now, having had a solid night's sleep and a good feed.
Esther's knee was a chief concern for her, as she was uncertain if it would be able to hold up to the uneven terrain of the second big trek of the race. Stuart's back was playing up, as was Ryan's inflammed left wrist following the first 60km paddle. Stone's shoulder pain was causing problems during the short paddle across Loch Ness, and would have definitely affected his ability to push hard on the next big paddle leg.
Overall, these accumulated ailments entailed that rather than risk permanent injury, the team decided to make the best of their time here in Scotland in other ways (other than suffering through the rest of the epic ARWC course).
Speaking to other racers, the general opinion was that this was truly an ambitious (over-ambitious?) route that would only be enjoyed by a team worthy of the title of 'World Champion'. Other teams would more likely fall by the wayside - as indeed was what happened to them in the past 48 hours. A keen study of the leaderboard and satellite tracking map will give one a clearer idea. But it is when one actually watches these teams push the limits of their own endurance and willpower - in the flesh - that one really appreciates the fact that maybe, just maybe, this race may be too much for even the best of the best.
A retrospective account of the race would not do it justice. To see the shit going down, here and now, is what it's really all about... pain, camaraderie, agony, hope, anguish, grit. The competition against each other has faded into the background for many teams - and the race has become more of a battle against the forces of Mother Nature more than anything else.
Nike is currently blitzing the course and is expected to summit Ben Nevis later today. Wils Helly Hansen, having enjoyed a good run for most of the course as the lead team, is grimly hanging on to second spot, while Kiwi squad Orion is slogging it out in third place. Balance Vector, typically unbeatable on the kayak, got passed by Bjurfors on the current paddling stage - a rare occurrence by any means. Teams Aberdeen Asset Management (the top UK squad) and Sole have had to retire two members each, and have joined forces to continue the journey as an unranked hybrid team. Team Halti is sorely disappointed to be racing on the short course - they will miss the full course cut-off on the upcoming kayaking stage. They had spent too much time languishing at TA6 during last night's bitingly cold and wet conditions.
Wilson
Scotland
