Yoga Slackers win the Sprint

After 80 and 1/2 hours of racing it came down to a sprint triathlon between the Yoga Slackers and Extreme-Sports.dk.  The two teams came around the corner of the marina and all we could see were the lights of the teams but we had no idea who was ahead.  The two double boats were drafting at the front and the two solos falling a little behind.  At the take out it was clear that Mikael and Helena were first out of the boats and sprinting to the finish.  Mikael was giving everything and Helena with sore feet and severe tendonitis was giving even more. The two collapsed across the finish ahead of the Yoga Slackers, but their third teammate, Rick, was still behind and trying his best to sprint ahead.  The Yoga Slackers managed to get all three teammates across together and crossed the finish line 1 minute ahead of Extreme-Sports.dk’s final teammate.

Congratulations to the Yoga Slackers for holding onto 3rd and to the Extreme-Sports.dk for pulling out all the stops and making it up the leaderboard to 4th place.

Yoga Slackers and Extreme-Sports.dk Reach Paddle Together

They left the paddle together cresting the waves in synch. We expect both teams to come around the corner of the marina any minute.. from the marina the teams will have to exit their boats and sprint 200 m to the finish line.

Sean Clancy lost his voice…

Sean doesn’t have anything to say because he lost his voice during the race.  He whispered that he wished he would have worn long pants…

Sean was so happy that he had two strong team mates.  He was sick during the entire race and he says that Glenn and Mari took care of him the whole race. Sean said the altitude (climbing to the top of the Sierras and nearly 10,000 ft) was a big factor and exacerbated his respiratory infection.

Cyril and Jen said they felt bad for the DART/nuun NW Kayaks guys when they finally caught them.. they looked bad. We definitely think our race strategy (without the nav mistake) was better.  We were in better shape at the end of the race, Cyril said.

Both DART/nuun teams are here at the finish awaiting the arrival of the Yoga Slackers and Extreme-Sports.dk who both just entered the kayaks for a 2 k sprint to the finish.  It’s anyone’s guess from here.

Cyril from Team DART/nuun on his THREE PEAT

I’ve cornered Cyril here at the finish line as he came to cheer on the other teams that are finishing nearly 10 hours behind.  Cyril looks fresh and ready to run back to San Felipe.

Cyril said “this was the most rewarding finish of the 3 travesias because we had to work back from our mistake. We had to fight all the way to the end.”

He says he feel FANTASTIC.. sure we’ll hear more details later.

World Series Spot to be Shared by the DART teams

Geoff Hunt, the Director of the World Series of Adventure Racing emailed to Congratulate DART/nuun and DART/nuun NW Kayaks on their collective win of the Baja Travesia and a spot to the World Series.  The two teams will share a free team entry.  Seems like they should be able to find four fast teammates to fill the spot.

Notes from Antonio

Cyril told Antonio a story from the canyon…he was climbing up a steep section and just couldn’t hold on any more as he was waiting for his team to help him up… from there he slipped down the side and right into the pool.  He was a little scraped up but none worse for the wear.

Yoga Slackers and Extreme-Sports.dk Neck and Neck for 3rd

Both teams are “sprinting” up the beach in the revised kayak leg which sends teams on a beach run before they transition to  a short 2 k kayak to the finish line.  Team Yoga Slackers relaxed a little at the front and Extreme-Sports.dk put on the after burnersto catch them.  Now both teams are running up the beach together heading to the kayak put in.

We are getting the cameras ready for a photo finish.

Update on the Pacific

20 to 30k winds are predicted to continue bringing with it a messy onshore surf break.  Yet a second revision of the ocean kayaking had to be made after the two lead teams couldn’t punch through the surf in the sit-on-top kayaks.  The course now has teams running north on the beach to a more protected put in and a short paddle to the finish.

Meanwhile the Yoga Slackers seem to be stretching their lead over Extreme-Sports.dk though we are unsure if the SPOT didn’t register or if they really are slipping off the back.

Old News

DART / nuun makes the comeback of the century and ties DART/nuun NW Kayaks for the win at SOLE BT 2008.  Details coming later after we have a chance to get all the juicy details.

Equinox Going For the FINISH line

Checkpoint staff told us they were concerned about Team Equinox, they were worried about the trio being last out on the course.  With Barrie at the helm there are no worries for this team, they can navigate through anything.  It might take a little time but they will always come out in the end - and lead by the smiling face of Mayte.  The team celebrated Mayte’s birthday out on the course yesterday…no better way to spend your birthday than to enjoy every single minute of it.