Team Merrell Adventure Addicts claimed 7th position at the Adventure Racing Championships in Burnie, Tasmania’s gateway to the West Coast wilderness region. The foursome survived 730km of unforgiving terrain and competition from almost 100 of the world’s top adventure racing teams.
Race Director, Craig Bycroft, promised ‘an experience like no other’. The team faced at least six days of multi-disciplinary racing following a true, expedition-style course through genuine wilderness.
All down to teamwork
Having raced together for four years, both locally and internationally, the team have developed an understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses; thus, shaping a solid racing unit. Captain and navigator, Graham Bird, is ably supported by stalwarts Hanno Smit and Donovan Sims, while the diminutive Tatum Prins adds girl power to the mix.
They know when to rest and transition between a range of human-powered disciplines such as mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, swimming, technical rope work and orienteering.
No ordinary race
Dark Zones, navigational challenges and natural obstacles lay in wait along the gruelling course Down Under. Merely lining up at the start was enough to remind the team of the harsh challenges ahead. Bird admits that his initial fear was soon quashed by his faith in the do-or-die attitude of his fellow teammates.
The team may have survived the race, but not without blood, sweat and tears, shed during more than 134 hours of balls-to-the-wall racing. According to Bird, the route included: ‘ocean paddling; lots of varied trekking legs; river paddling and flat water paddling’.
“To me, the race showcased Tasmania from the inside out,” reflected Hanno Smit, “It’s a remarkably beautiful place and, at times, I felt like I was travelling through a dream world. It was extremely wet and cold and the competition was fierce. The second half of the race was all about survival, and it tested our resolve completely.”
Donovan ‘Tiny’ Sims also admitted that large treks and abysmal weather presented a challenge: “This experience is sure to live on in my mind for years to come. I visited the deep, dark recesses of my mind to get through it. I walk away from this experience with one clear thought in my mind: my team members are legends and we pulled together as a unit.”
The team were just shy of their intended top 5 ranking; however, Bird reports that the foursome raced hard and left nothing out on the course. Content with seventh place, the Merrell Adventure Addicts are looking forwards to a rest period over the festive season, and an even bigger 2012.
Photographs courtesy of Andreas Strand
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