Adventure Racing World Series
presented by Numa Sport Optics

By Fred Richardson

The prize giving dinner was an emotional roller coaster. It started with the arrival of the South African all-women team, Dew Point.

At around 18h30, with racers, supporters, race crew and media dressed in their party best and chatting before the prize ceremony got under way, Team Dew Point arrived. They had just completed the course - still on their bikes with their backpacks and headlamps on. This all-women team had stuck it out to finish as an intact team after being out on course for 7 days and 11 hours. This is a long time to keep going on just a couple of hours of sleep a night; it takes massive resolve.

The room erupted with cheers and applause as they wheeled their bikes towards Bull of Africa race director, Hano Otto, who was standing in the middle of the room. These four women embody the determination, mental fortitude and spirit of adventure racing. Lauren, Kelly, Daleen and Tamryn, you are an example to us all and proof that a determined spirit can move mountains.

After the crowd settled, Hano began the formalities of prize giving. All teams who finished were acknowledged and presented with finishers trophies. The next emotional bullet was fired when Hano announced that McCain Adventure Addicts had been moved from 2nd place to 12th as a result of not clipping a CP. When he called them up to recieve their trophies every racer in the room stood and gave them a standing ovation, sending a clear message of support to the McCain Adventure Addicts team members. The room acknowledged their outstanding race result and sympathised with team over the time penalty, which was calculated by doubling the time of the slowest team on the leg where McCain had failed to punch at a checkpoint.

The final emotional bullet came from Bull of Africa winners, Team USN. Team navigator John Collins could not attend prize giving as he had to fly home for business; but John had left a message, which he asked Martin Dreyer to read on his behalf. John and the team dedicated their race to their friend Phillip Swanepoel, a racer with whom both John and Martin had competed many times. Phillip died tragically in a helicopter accident little over a year ago. He was a well-known, much liked and respected adventure racer in South Africa; and his passing hit our close community hard. The tears streamed unashamedly down Martin's face as he struggled to get the words out. With effort, Martin read John's entire message.

The evening continued with a superb dinner and a party into the morning's early hours, which was mostly attended by those who had finished days earlier. The other many, many tired bodies dragged themselves to bed, to sleep off the week's exertions.