20 TEAMS, 20 DIFFERENT ROUTES...

At 10:15 am, teams from Ontario and Quebec crossed the start line of the 5th Salomon Adventure Challenge in 2004. The race opened with a trek to the CP1 that had the first teams arrive in 9 minutes and the last team to arrive in 84 minutes! Teams Hyper Global Mega Net/Salomon, Xplore, Outlast, Vampire’s Night and Charlie’s Angels all arrived within three minutes of each other.

CP2 located on a high point two kilometres from CP1 gave teams a spectacular view of the surrounding area. Hyper Global Mega Net/Salomon increased their lead by 16 minutes over Les Pistons, a co-ed team that moved up from 6th to 2nd position. This CP also saw team Excellence Sports make a move into third place.

A short trek to CP3 / TA1 had teams pick up their bikes for a quick road ride to CP4. Teams then faced a fun downhill single track to CP5. Hyper Global Mega Net/Salomon had now increased their lead 29 minutes over Les Pistons. Teams Outlast, Xplore, Charlie’s Angels, Vampire’s Night and Espresso Café were again chasing each other for second place. With PFD’s strapped to their packs, teams faced a 13 km bike ride to CP6 and then a quick trail ride to MP1.

It was probably not the first time racers have had to face Mother Nature with the wrong equipment, but definitely one of the best swim-a-bike sections we have seen in a Salomon Adventure Challenge. Teams clipped their bikes to the rope and had to swim with their bikes to CP7 /TA2. The 50-metre swim was definitely hard work as teams had to battle a slight current as they crossed the river. Team Les Pistons had the fastest TA time. It took them only 4 minutes to climb from the river bank and get in their boats to paddle down river. Most teams managed the transition in 6 minutes with the slowest teams averaging 10 minutes.  Teams received a double bonus from a swift current and a strong tailwind to help them to CP8.  This 8 km paddle took the fastest teams 46 minutes to reach the shores of CP8 / TA3. Teams Calico, Sriracha, and Newfibians all made gains with a strong paddle leg. Team Amphibians cleared TA3 in one minute and Team Xplore managed a quick change with a 3 minute transition.

Teams that cleared TA3 before 2:30 pm were given the option to take the advanced trek, and seven teams took the opportunity. By CP8A, team Hyper Global Mega Net/Salomon had advanced their lead to 61 minutes. Team Xplore was second, with Outlast, Les Pistons, Charlie’s Angels, Excellence Sports and Vampire’s Night chasing the leaders for third.

It was a dash to the finish with teams arriving from all directions. Hyper Global Mega Net/Salomon never relented and finished first in the open male category as well as first overall. Les Pistons received a shaken bottle of champagne for a first place finish in the co-ed category. Only 7 minutes behind, Charlie’s Angels grabbed first place in the open women’s division.

The post race meal was definitely one for the record as the Auberge Val Carroll treated the racers to gourmet salads, bar-b-que chicken and sweet pie for dessert!

Thanks to all of the racers and volunteers that made this race a spectacular Salomon Adventure Challenge in Quebec! See you at Charlevoix!

Top 5 Co-ed:
1 Les Pistons
2 Outlast
3 Vampire’s Night
4 Calico
5 Les Raideurs

Top 5 Male:
1 Hyper Global Mega Net / Salomon
2 Xplore
3 Excellence Sports
4 Espresso Café
5 Raide Mort

Top Female:
1 Charlie’s Angels

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RACE RESULTS!