At the end of 6 days fierce competition, in which 26 of the world’s top co-ed adventure-racing squads fought for the honours, fledgling Kiwis EUROSPORT NZ survived repeated challenges from NIKE (USA) and WILSA HELLY HANSEN (FRA) to run out well-deserved winners of this inaugural event: a 404km expeditionary stage-race through the multifarious marvels of the United Arab Emirates’ largest state, Abu Dhabi.

How fitting that, in the image of the host country itself, the first winners of this new event on the adventure-racing horizon should be a group of individuals that, though having never raced this format together as a team, harbours some of the savviest and swiftest athletes in the sport today. And, just as the country of Abu Dhabi has managed to shrewdly juxtapose tradition with modernity, this “rookie” team took the lessons learned by each in the past and galvanised themselves into an unbeatable combination. In a land still undergoing the pangs of rebirth but conscious and respectful of a millennial heritage, Richard USSHER and his team took on the world’s best, while discovering the pristine, azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, the overwhelming vastness of the desert and the soaring, rocky heights of the Jebel Hafeet mountains; a race across the three natural dimensions of this mysterious country.

The race opened with a 2-day, 118km sea-kayaking stage that coupled a steep learning curve, brand new sea-kayaks with 3 built-in sails, subsequently rendered obsolete by a wearisome headwind, with the absence of navigational landmarks and the risk of grounding in the shallow waters. Overnight, the teams would bivouac at a checkpoint on one of 5 islands dotting the course along the Arabian Gulf and set off again early next morning for the seaside resort of Mirfa. The New Zealand “newbies”, already ahead after some powerful paddling, struggled hard against the daunting headwind to stay ahead of the pack, acutely aware of being hunted down by the all conquering NIKE (USA), “riding high” thanks to some astute tidal management. Only 4 minutes separated these two relentless rivals while biggest threat, French flagship team WILSA HELLEY HANSEN, eventual 3rd place winners, were already 20 minutes off the race lead.

With the wet stuff out of the way, the caravan headed for the verdant miracle of the Liwa Oasis, gateway to the Rub Al Kahli, a.k.a. The Empty Quarter, for an encounter with the country’s totally contrasting second dimension. After a Bedouin bivouac worthy of the “Arabian Nights”, the teams would take on 87km of infiltrating sand and salt flats, blisters and possible dehydration, punctuated by a scorching sun and the constant, pitiless “suction-stumble” of some of the worlds tallest dunes. A few teams courted disaster by keeping their “on-board” water supplies to a minimum, some running on empty with the next CP supply station still out of sight, but for those who got it right, this bottle juggling exercise paid off in lighter packs and swifter feet. However, on a stage that spread the field even thinner, one member of Austrians ATT360-ÖTZTAL spun the wheel and lost, suffering from acute dehydration and exhaustion he keeled over in the sand, was taken to hospital and 24 hours later was as right as rain… water anyone? Although compatriots ORIONHEALTH.COM beat eventual race winners, EUROSPORT NZ, into 5th place on this stage, only 1 minute separated the first 5 teams, with all the favourites still well in contention. The second phase of this desert section required the teams to cover a further 40kms on foot with an Arabian camel as company, to help carry packs and water for the trip. However, with concerns about the capacity of these amiable and patient animals to fulfil this role within a race context growing, the section was transformed into an un-timed transition from Al Batin to Hamim to allow for a more leisurely pace.

With the ranking and times unchanged from the first desert section, the teams rested overnight in preparation for an abridged 54km mountain biking section along an alternating hard and soft, sandy road running close to the Saudi and Oman borders. With so little between the leading teams, the pace was predictably blistering from the get go with NIKE (USA) stretching the pack like a bike borne apocalypse with everyone else in pursuit. By the time the leaders reached the remote desert station, never before visited by foreign nationals, and the section finish, USSHER and team, coming in only 3 seconds behind, had caught them. Unfortunately, French challengers WILSA HELLY HANSEN took a serious 18-minute hit on this stage and dropped even further off the front of the race.

Another transition, this time North to the gorgeous, flourishing Al Ain, “The Spring”, source of the country’s cultural and historical heritage and nestling like a glittering emerald in the folds of the intimidating Jebel Hafeet. The campsite at Green Mubazzarah is a scintillating admixture of expectation and serenity, where the teams marvel at the delicate balance between the hot water springs, lush green spaces and the rough-hewn giant towering above them. Tomorrow they would face a series of relatively short but varied stages in a final confrontation between contenders for adventure racing’s newest crown… With the race lead so tight, it was here that Richard and his team “…sat down and decided we hadn’t come here to finish second…”. Thus the stage was set for an epic final day showdown between the four teams, EUROSPORT NZ (NZL), NIKE (USA), WILSA HELLY HANSEN (FRA) and ORIONHEALTH.COM (NZL) heading up the race and all in with a chance for that top podium spot.

In the searing heat of the morning the teams moved onto the mountain at a stunning pace, so fast that some were provoked into making almost elementary mistakes and drama wasn’t far behind. EUROSPORT NZ were blazing a trail up the rough, uncharted rock pulling ever further away from closest adversaries NIKE (USA), staging an heroic pursuit despite Sari ANDERSON’S unfortunate ankle problems, when SALOMON CRESTED BUTTE (USA) and LUNDHAGS ADVENTURE (SWE) learned their approach to CP10 was premature and they had somehow missed CP9. Turning back despondently to retrace their steps, the disappointment was written large on all their faces but really made itself felt when Björn RYDVALL of LUNDHAGS later stumbled and fell, breaking his tibia and dislocating an elbow. Fortunately he was quickly taken into care by nearby teams and medical staff before being rushed to hospital for comprehensive care.

EUROSPORT NZ still held the lead and WILSA HELLEY HANSEN (FRA) were beginning to put the squeeze on NIKE (USA) when they went into a ropeworks section that involved an 80 metre vertical jumar ascent, a via cordata and final 80 metre abseil down again. NIKE (USA), showing customary urgency and consummate skill, moved swiftly over the ropes, taking 15 minutes off the Kiwi’s lead. But would it be enough to narrow the gap for the final dash into Al Ain? The penultimate stage, 22km down from the foothills of Abu Dhabi’s revered landmark into the heart of the “Garden City” was a crucial exercise in speed and control as all the teams tried in vain to shake their rivals. Averaging around 36 km/h, the pedalling procession sped along the smooth, wide thoroughfares past brightly coloured mosques and signature, sandstone forts to the Al Ain oasis.

Only 69 seconds separated the first 18 teams so the final sprint finish on foot across the public gardens to the magnificent, regal Al Jahili Fort, built by Zayed the Great would be crucial for the first three teams: EUROSPORT NZ, almost certain of a well deserved first place followed by the always dangerous NIKE (USA) themselves possible victims to the determined and ardent WILSA HELLY HANSEN (FRA). As the teams ran though the crowds bustling around the finish arch on this balmy, weekend afternoon, it became clear that, despite all efforts to the contrary, the final top three had probably been written in the stones at the foot of Jebel Hafeet along with the prophetic words of the winning team’s captain Richard USSHER: “...if we get the chance we should, take it…” and take it they did; a victory likely to usher in a bright future for this team and for adventure racing in the Middle East.

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