Musing and Errata on the world of Adventure Racing from the Yak
presented by MPGear.com

DragonQuest Adventures is working on an event and they want to tailor it to your every want and need.
Take their short online survey and tell 'em what you're looking for in an expedition race in the Himalayas.

Ian Adamson needs no introduction. He's known to adventure racers the world over as the face of competitive adventure racing. I caught up with him earlier today to get his take on Terra Traverse.

Yak: Hello Ian and thank you for taking a few minutes to answer a few questions before you head to airport. So I know you spent some time scouting a possible venue for the 2008 Terra Traverse in Canada earlier this year. Have you begun scouting the new location?

Ian: We did spend some time scouting a course in central Canada, but haven't done our recce for final course just yet. Most people know the Raid was held in eastern Canada last year. It's a spectacular region and offers no shortage of options for designing a world class course. We've done a tremendous amount of research on the best locations world wide for all future Terra Traverse events.

Yak: Terra Traverse will be a stage race as opposed to a non-stop expedition. Sleep strategy won't be as big a factor as it usually is since teams will have a chance to rest each night. What about navigation? Is this race going to come down to physical speed or will things like route choice and overall strategy still play a deciding role?

Ian: Sleep strategy and management will still be crucial while racing, although like a few other staged formats, we are providing the opportunity for teams to do a better job of this. It's likely that there will be one or more stages up to 48 hours over the course of the race so sleep will still be a challenge for many teams. Navigation, strategic planning and team efficiency will be of vital importance. One of the great features of our format is that all teams get to race head to head throughout the course.

Yak: You announced your retirement from competitive adventure racing after the 2006 World Championships in Sweden. Since then you've launched the very successful 24 Hours of Triathlon and now you'll be directing Terra Traverse. Are you enjoying your new focus on event management and production?

Ian: Stepping away from competitive racing when I did has made for a pretty smooth transition to event management. I've been directing major international races since the end of 1999 (starting with MSOQ in China) and now do a bit of production as well. Working with Barrett Productions has been great as we've crossed paths in the event and television world a great deal over the last five years. I have great respect for John and look forward to a long and productive relationship producing the best possible races for competitors and viewers alike.

Yak: Are you starting to miss racing yet?

Ian: I do miss racing and I still feel a strong pull at my core any time a major competition gets underway. Fortunately, I get to live vicariously through team Nike's success. I stay in contact with them regularly. The question I'm asked most often is "will I race again?" and the answer is a solid no. There is a possibility I would guide under the right circumstances...I won't race, but I might be willing to provide some training and "accompany" a team for a fat fee :-)

Yak: Thanks Ian. I look forward to talking with you again once the course starts coming together.

Mike Bitton's shoot is online. Prints are available for purchase.

I'm expecting a CD with shots from another photographer that was on the course. As soon as I get it I'll have a second gallery for you.

Gravity Play Sports is excited to announce the first national television broadcast of the Adventure Xstream Race Series & Xstream Expedition Adventure Race on Saturday, November 10th at 3:30pm MST on Altitude Sports Network*. Altitude will televise the hour long broadcast of the Adventure Xstream Adventure Race Series on Saturday, Nov.10th in addition to 13 other times throughout the fall.

"The Adventure Xstream Adventure Race Series is a great programming acquisition for Altitude," said Doug Ballmer, Director of Programming for Altitude Sports Network. "The race series is located in the Rocky Mountain region and the multi-sport racing family has a loyal fan base within our telecast territory. We are excited to bring the fast growing sport of adventure racing to Altitude."

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Gravity Play Sports. All of us in the adventure racing arena, from the Gravity Play Sports office to our participants throughout the nation, are looking forward to the Adventure Xstream Adventure Race Series on TV," said Will Newcomer, President of Gravity Play Sports.

Trousdale Productions out of Durango, Colorado produced the television broadcast and the DVD. Music on the television broadcast is from Durango based bands Formula 151 and the Lawn Chair Kings. Trousdale Productions is an independent video and digital media production house specializing in custom video production. To purchase the Xstream Expedition DVD that Trousdale Productions produced please visit GravityPlay.com.

Gravity Play's commitment to the sport of endurance and adventure racing continues as the Adventure Xstream Adventure Race Series advances into its eight year as the Rocky Mountain Region's premier and nation's largest, Adventure Racing Series. Combining a multitude of outdoor sports including; mountain biking, kayaking, trail running, rappelling, navigation and more... Gravity Play Sports provides premier athletes as well as the weekend warrior an outdoor venue for competition and personal achievement.

Nestled into the heart of the Rocky Mountains, spectacular race venues include: Buena Vista, CO; Durango, CO; Breckenridge, CO; Vail, CO; and Moab, UT. Teams of solo, two or four will be challenged in a number of multi-sport disciplines. 4-person coed teams will vie for significant prizes and prize money throughout the Series.

Altitude Sports & Entertainment is a regional sports and entertainment network. Altitude is the television home of the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Colorado Eagles (CHL) and Colorado Springs Sky Sox (PCL). In addition, Altitude offers entertainment and community programming as well as boxing, rodeo, auto racing, golf, skiing and extreme sports, as well as outdoor and lifestyle shows. Altitude is currently available in more than 5.2 million homes.

For more information about the Adventure Xstream Adventure Race Series please visit GravityPlay.com or call 970.259.7771.

For more information about Altitude Sports Network or for a list of upcoming programs please visit www.altitudesports.com.

* Channels: DirecTV channel 644; Dish Network channel 410; for cable listings visit Altitudesports.com.

For more information about Trousdale Productions please visit www.trousdaleproductions.com.

In the interview Don talks about Primal Quest 2008, the possibility of Primal Quest sprint races and his mountain climbing exploits.