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Team Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
qualifying in Idaho. PHOTO: JACQUELINE WINDH
Allez Canada!
TWO CANADIAN TEAMS beat odds to qualify for adventure racing’s WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in Quebec
>> THIS SEPTEMBER, Quebec’s Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean re- gion hosts the finals of the Raid World Championships in Ad- venture Racing—the first time adventure racing’s ultimate chal- lenge has come to North America. Thanks to a strong showing by two Quebec teams in qualifying races, Canadian spectators will have some home teams to root for. The Raid is the race that launched the adventure racing phe- nomenon. First held in1989 in New Zealand, it was the inspira- tion for other expedition races such as the EcoChallenge. This year’s Championship course in the spectacular back-
drop of Saguenay’s fiords promises a route with plenty of canoe- ing and sea kayaking. Winning teams will take about five days to complete the non-stop, 500-kilometre event, probably sleeping no more than a few hours along the way. In June, 31 of the world’s top adventure racing teams gath-
ered in the mountains of Idaho to compete in the second of three qualifying events held around the globe to earn a spot at the championships. Twenty-two teams were vying for the six North American spots in the finals. Two of those spots went to Canadian teams, although there were only three Canadian teams competing! The top Canadian team was a surprise to all—a group of ama-
teur athletes who formed a team in honour of the Raid coming to their hometown. Team Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean placed 12th in Idaho (and fifth for North America). At the third qualifying race held in France on July 14–16, they came in 20th overall – a strong enough showing to confirm
18 | | ADVENTURE KAYAK fall 2006
Allez Canada, con’t. on page 20—
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