|
 |
11-Sep-2010 10:56:15 |
 |
Bimbache Extrem Castilla y León |
| 15-Jun-2009 23:06:17 |
| |
The Bimbache Extrem race was held in Spain during the second last week of May and I was lucky enough to watch the action.
The Castilla Y Leon province provide a fantastic backdrop for the race with high mountains still with remnants of snow cover
The rave started from the small town of Vegacervera (León),with raiders (racers) from thirteen different countries. Ahead of them was a distance of 344 km, with 14.000 meters of accumulated slope, and seventeen different transitions till they finish in Aguilar de Campoo (Palencia).
The Scandinavian teams quickly showed at the front with the first stage being roller blading. This was followed by a 'short trek' - some 17kms before descending into the spectacular Valporqueros Cave. This was accorded as a great highlight by all the teams. (It include d short section where team members had to duck under the water to get through a low spot)
Through he next stages of Mountain biking and kayaking the finish team Multisport.fi continues to make the pace and this puts the pressure on the following teams to play catchup. They are chased hard by Team Vibram Sport2000 (France) and team Buff-Thermocool (Spain) through the following stages.
At approx the half way point in the event, at Boca de Huérgano (León), the Multisport.fi team has about a two hour advantage over Vibram and Buff. They are followed by McCain Adventure Addicts (South Africa) and Blackheart.com.au. with Team Explore (Sweden) in 6th. Teams are required to stop for 4hrs at this point for a sleep / rest period
Over the following mountain trekking, Orienteering, roller blading, and kayaking stages the Finns continue to race at their own pace (with one or two mistakes creeping in) This young team of Finish athletes have done an incredible work with their unstoppable pace and finish the race in 74hrs.
But it is behind them the race is all on.
Alter the finish team, there was a fight between Team Vibram (France), buff Thermocool (Spain) and the Team Explore (Swedish).
The Spanish Team suffers an accident in the last meters of the bike section which made them abandon at 5:30 in the morning.
This unfortunate situation leaves the French team in second position but they are surprised by Team Explore. They charge back up the field reducing the different between them from five hours to ten minutes in the Rolling skate section to finally pass them in the trekking section ( due to a injured knee)
The finish line is spectacular - a 38m high tyroline that descends from the bell tower of a 800 year old church town directly under the finish line
orienteering
|
| |
| |
|
|
