DART-nuun News
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Racers woke up to sub-freezing temperatures and prepared for a race that would be fast and competitive. In an unusual start, teams were split up with one member running to obtain a passport and the other two paddling to the end of a lake where the team would be rejoined. â??We opted to send Mari on foot while the guys paddledâ?? stated Matt â??This fit our strengths extremely well.â?? While the combination was fast, the team had some trouble with frozen fingers while trying to attach the extra canoe seat.

Undaunted, the team left on the next section with the lead pack. This consisted of a short orienteering course including 11 controls that could be obtained in any order. After an hour in the woods, the team emerged still within close proximity to the leaders and ready to ride.

The next leg was a 25 mile maze of single-track and fire roads. â??One small navigation error would result in losing multiple placesâ?? commented Mari. The lead changed multiple times during this section but DART pushed hard and was able to gain on the leader at the end. While the team made some small errors, overall they were on their game and finished the section within striking distance of the leader.

After a quick transition, the team left with three or four other teams tied for second place. As the group moved down a fire road toward a needed trail, DART strategically held back and let the others pull ahead. As hoped, their competitors missed the trail that DART readily took toward their objective. â??Frankly, I was stunned when the other teams blew right past the Ozark trailâ?? stated Glenn â??We saw our route and quickly and quietly ran as hard as we could to put distance on the other teams.â?? After some fast running combined with good navigation, the team emerged at the boats with a 20 minute lead over the rest of the field.

The teams were warned that water levels were very low and as a result, the paddle section turned out to include a substantial amount of hike a boat. â??We spent a lot of time training in canoes prior to this raceâ?? commented Matt â??Unfortunately our training didnâ??t include hauling our boat over logs and river debris.â?? This lack of practice would cost the team their lead as the end of the paddle found the team effectively tied for the lead. â??It was a bit disheartening to watch MOAT pull ahead over the shallows but whenever we had open water, we would out paddle themâ?? added Matt.

As the paddle finished, it was beginning to get dark and cold again. â??We knew it would get cold and that we would be wet at the end of the paddle. We needed to carry all of our gear for the entire race and ensure that we would retain our ability to race fast, yet remain protected from the elements.â?? Added Mari, â??Our Gregory ISO packs together with our Arcâ??Teryx gear were perfect for this raceâ??. The team quickly put on their Arcâ??Teryx Tau for the night and headed out on trek with MOAT, the opposing team. The Arcâ??Teryx Tau was essential to the teamâ??s success and ability to warm up in freezing temperatures while wet.

This final trek had the team traveling about 10 miles on there way back to their bikes. DART quickly put distance on MOAT with their running strength. However, at the final checkpoint, the team approached the control from the wrong ravine. This error allowed both MOAT and EMS to pass the team. Once at the transition, the team realized the gravity of their mistake. Our distance behind the leader was substantial enough that only a significant error or mechanical problem would allow DART to regain the lead on the final bike section.

Undaunted the team gave it their best on this final section but it wasnâ??t enough to close the gap and they finished in just over 18 hours in third place.

What's next for DART-nuun? Some well needed rest followed by taking advantage of the the Pacific Northwest has to offer as they begin training and planning for the 2008 season.

Photo credit: Mike Bitton - USARA coverage more photos available HERE.