ARWC 2007 – Scotland

Well the race for us was a struggle just getting to the start line and the struggles definitely didn’t stop there.

The race started with 3 days out with the start of gear inspections and the process was even more drawn out than usual plus the fact that rain didn’t let up the entire time the weather outlook for the race was looking predictable. Following was a day of briefings, redundant safety workshops and maps followed by a small parade to an even smaller audience before the next morning we were whisked by bus and then boat to the Isle of Rum, just of the west coast of Scotland. More briefings and finally we were on to the prologue, a short dash in our wetsuits to a swim across the bay and a 26 km Mountain run and trek with a short rogaining section thrown in for good measure. We were the first team out of the first TA although our advantage was lost due to the shoes not arriving on time and then stayed near the front for the remainder of the trekking section, often in the company of Orion who were showing some good form and several other teams who leap frogged up to us courtesy of an illegal short cut. We ended up fourth after a slightly slower route off the last peak and then got smacked by a 2 hour penalty for not having our rope and sleeping bag with us. It was a silly mistake but luckily almost negated by the fact that 7 of the top teams also received 2 hour penalties for shortcuts, splitting up and more missing gear. For us not the ideal start and with a large paddle to start the race proper in the morning and many teams having faster boats than us it was looking like we’d be on the back foot again.

Day 2 and the start of the main race was delayed for some reason until 8:30 as many teams simply weren’t organised. We were on the water with a few minutes to spare in any other race would have benefited from others lack of organisation as they would have just started it anyway. When we finally did get away we quickly found the plastic Armaruks although slow weren’t losing us too much time and as the waves picked up we moved into second behind Orion who had shipped over their own boats. We were fortunate to be able to keep them in sight and we were able to close up the gaps whenever they took a slightly wrong line towards a CP. Two thirds of the way through the paddle at the end of a portage we had two rogaining sections, 5 controls on each and very similar courses. Once round these we had moved into the lead before we had to sit out our two hour penalty. We got a bit of sleep and ate well here while also being threatened with yet another penalty for telling another team where a control was, that was in the wrong place any way. We were getting the feeling that the organisation was out to ensure that the spirit of AR was well and truly trampled.

We hit the next trek in second, 40 minutes behind Helly Hansen who had managed to stay penalty free. The trek had some huge climbs and we slowly started to reel in the leading team and again were joined by Orion. At the end of the trek we had been going well over 24 hours and we decided to sleep once we arrived at the next section. When we arrived there was very little room and it was quiet warm for the first time. We decided to stick with our plan and pitched the tent in the transition on a tiny patch of grass. While no one got great sleep Elina, Aaron and I got some but Nathan ended up getting up. When we hit the road for the MTB we were 5th out of TA but quickly moved back into 3rd place. Nathan later told me about 10km in he started getting the sleep monster and spent the next few hours plugged into the MP3 player to keep him awake. As night fell we had to endure one of the most pointless activities I’ve ever had to do in an AR race. We biked to a small river and had to jump into water supposedly only 6 degrees without any wetsuit. The cold was definitely a shock but we all had dry clothes to put on courtesy of our naked jumping techniques! A short ride later and the Red Bull challenge seemed more of a challenge to see how sick you could make yourself on Red Bull. After 3 cans each Aaron and I were feeling a little green, the main activity was a short Tyrolean to the other bank and a short hike back around to the bikes.

Night had now set in and we chose to sleep for another hour in an old ruin when it became obvious our pace had slowed dramatically. Once back on the bikes we chopped out the remaining km’s in good time and enjoyed another sleep before an equally pointless swim in Loch Ness.  Nathan and I drew the short straws and swam while Elina and Aaron had the comfort of paddling the sit-on-tops with all the gear. Apparently there was even a Loch Ness Monster sighting reported that day too. A short canyoneering section with some good jumps and scrambles added a dose of fun and by the end spirits were high once again. We left in 5th place and arriving at the next Cp had moved in to 4th without seeing anyone. The weather had now turned to its miserable worst and as we trudged through bogs and over rolling hills the tough of another sleep was at the fore fronts of everyone minds. Arriving in the rain and dark and in freezing conditions we were told there was only a small horse corral to pitch the tents, Orion where there and we saw Helly Hansen pass through. Elina was getting pretty cold and with no shelter provided at the TA we pitched the tent and decided to sleep the 3 hours to day break. The following bike loop was a fun single track section and then we were on to the ropes. At the bike drop we learnt that Nike and Helly were still out on the loop and that Orion was just in front. We made good time down the trail and n reaching the designated point started our ascent. The instructions gave no bearing or way point but just stated that we would hit markings that would take us to the jumar site. While when we hit the summit it was obvious we had missed the markings, not surprising in the white out conditions and with tape heading both ways off the summit it was a coin toss really and we went right. A short while later though we arrived at the abseil site and now had a tough decision to make. To back track over the summit and down to the top of the jumar, find a way down and then do the ascent or to continue on, risk a penalty or worse and hope that we could convince the race organisation we had followed their instructions and shouldn’t be penalized for missing the ascent. We chose the latter and abseiled down before our next major problem, one of the staff was giving us information contrary to what we had previously been told and was now saying a previously closed route was now open and that all the teams in front had gone this new route. So off we went and on arriving back at the bike drop had moved from 4th to 3rd and were now less than 2 hours behind the leaders.

This transition was the pits. Pouring, freezing rain, strong wind and no shelter what so ever. We hurriedly changed into as much warm clothing as we had. Most things we at least damp now and then got ready to set off. A call from the race director saying we had cheated by taking the route his staff had insisted on us taking resulted in some heated discussion over the phone and the ruling regarding the jumar and that were delayed until the organisation could discuss it further. Orion had also taken the shorter route and was also incurring the wrath of the race director. We had a welcome warm stop at a pie shop as we started the portaged to the first part of the paddle. I had more clothes on than I had ever paddled in and was still feeling cold despite 3 hot pies. I was certain I should warm up once paddling but after an hour or so I had gone downhill and was barely able to lift my paddle or communicate. The team headed for the far side of the Loch and to a huge Castle. Nathan managed to get some ones attention and before I knew it I was in a hot shower and then tucked up in bed warming up. We were treated to some fantastic hospitality with plenty of hot tea, pasta and garlic bread before we had to get going. Before too long and I was again feeling pretty chilly and we decided it was better to stop than to risk a serious situation. We pulled in at a bothy which we later were told was haunted, lit a great fire, had a good feed and got some rest. The next morning we were back on the water in cold conditions but this time I was thankful when I started to heat up. Pulling into the end of the Loch and the start of a ridiculous portage of 20km we passed Merrell who informed us of a cut-off that afternoon and seemingly well beyond the reach of where we were. We all really wanted to get there and as the hours went by it seemed like we might be in with a shot. Hitting the final portage knew it would be close and with Nathan putting in a super human effort to haul one boat by himself we hit the final loch we could see the transition in the distance. Unfortunately for us the channel was winding and tight and when we finally punched in we were 10 minutes out. It was hugely disappointing and something that we hadn’t ever considered when we stopped for a second warm up. We even rang the race director to see if we could stay on the long course but to no avail. The remainder of the day was spent on an easy trek, the last mountain stage we walked right by but only guess as to what it held. The last bike and then on dark we headed into the final section up and over Ben Nevis. It was spectacular but it must have taken its toll on the teams who had done the full course. When the first light of day hit we were traversing a ridge off the summit and the views back were incredible. Into town and we arrived at the finish with just Mike Kloser being interviewed from Team Nike after they had won just 30 minutes before we arrived. A few minutes later some race staff showed up but the finish was really a reflection for me of the entire race.

The race organisers had obviously put a lot of time and effort into the race and for that they should be thanked but there were so many instances where they were found wanting, from a organisational and logistical view point as well as the spirit in which they ran the race. In many of the TA’s you would think we had arrived at a military boot camp, instead of the usually helpful oasis’s that the TA’s become. The response to the race at the prize giving was very subdued and it was sad to see how many people were disappointed with the race. It is always easy to be positive when you win and harder when you don’t but if Adventure racing goes down the path this race took then I certainly won’t be involved for long and I know many others share the same sentiments. It was positive to hear Geoff Hunt acknowledge the 2006 race in Sweden as being the bench mark and that he will be striving to get race directors to use that example as the model for their races in the future.

Aside from the obvious disappointment of not achieving the result we were striving for it was a shame to see racing return to just a brutal procession through a course designed to break, not test and reward teams. Nike raced incredibly well and Chris Forne was exceptional for them with his strength and navigation. Orion notched a podium finish in one of the toughest races ever and really showed they will be contenders where ever they chose to race.

Our team didn’t race as we’d hoped and that came down to many factors. Being the first time we’d all raced together in that combination means we will have learnt a lot about how we should try and operate together in the future and although Nathan won’t be racing whoever comes on board will  benefit from the others shared experience in this race. Hopefully we’ll be able to move forward and find some financial support to allow us to reach some more international races.

Ian Trafford followed the race and will have some photos available to view soon. Also thanks to Balance Vector for supporting the team financially, Jamis Bikes, Nike, R&R Sport, Silva, Seal line, Ampro and Subway for all of their contributions that went towards getting us to this race and hopefully many more.