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Unbeatable Usshers Go Four-For-Four In Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge |
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Thule Adventure Team Storm Home to Win Largest-ever Event as Record 30 Rookie Teams and Eight UAE Squads Reach City Finish-line.The largest-ever Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, a gruelling, six-day endurance race, ended in record-breaking fashion today as Thule Adventure Team – led by three-time winners Richard and Elina Ussher – crossed the Abu Dhabi city finish line for a fourth consecutive victory in the multi-discipline event. With 48 teams from 18 countries starting the final stage, a 33km kayak route around Lulu Island, the combined paddle power of Thule Adventure Team clinched the Oceaniaa ninth straight section win in the new-look race. Elsewhere, all 30 rookie teams - including two female-dominated teams - that entered the world’s most international endurance race also made it to the finish, accompanied by eight UAE teams that also survived the epic, east-to-west journey through Abu Dhabi’s breathtaking landscape. “A race of this nature deserves a momentous finish and we certainly got that,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) – which is behind the Challenge. “For so many firsts to be set and so many records to fall in the event’s fourth year underlines how the Abu Dhabi Challenge is improving with every edition that we stage. “The fact that 48 teams, including all the rookies, came back safely after six days of heart-stopping adventure and endurance racing demonstrates how this unique event is improving international standards and developing the domestic talent pool and pedigree of endurance athletes.” Al Sheikh reserved special praise for the husband-and-wife Usshers, who, amazingly, remain undefeated in the event’s four-year history. “Congratulations to Richard and Elina and the rest of the Thule Adventure Team on their unbelievable triumph – every year they find a speed which others can only marvel at. Let’s not forget the efforts of everyone else though; it is through the work of our participants, organisers and various supporting organisations that the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge has evolved in to an increasingly visible date on the international sporting stage,” added Al Sheikh. With Thule Adventure Team - Marcel Hagener and Nathan Fa’avae claimed back-to-back wins after their participation alongside the Usshers in 2009 – finishing in an overall time of 45h44m47s, the French squad of Thule Adventure Team Europe and the Swiss Wenger team grabbed maiden podium finishes by finishing in 47h08m08s and 47h39m01s, respectively. Brits Adidas Terrex and Swedish rookies Netcompetence rounded out the top five. Having crossed the line more than 80 minutes ahead of their European Thule namesakes, Ussher was visibly elated at topping all nine sections of the new-look course. “This team are heroes,” said Ussher. “The universal camaraderie, energy and will to win just cannot be measured. It is always special to win a race, but to do so four times in a row is unbelievable. We’ve had a fantastic week together and the race’s new-look format was a thrilling experience. We need to see more of races of such diversity elsewhere around the world.” Jacky Boisset, Thule Adventure Team Europe express his satisfaction with clinching the runners-up position and immediately lay down the gauntlet to Ussher and co. ahead of the 2011 race. “We are very happy as this year’s second place is better than all our previous results,” said Boisset. “If we won the race, there would probably be no reason for us to come back. We’ll be back to do it again next year and we’ll do everything we can to beat Ussher’s team. The strategy for 2011 is just one word: win.” After securing third, Bernhard Hug, the Wenger team captain, commended his squad’s consistency over the six days energy-sapping days. “I never expected to reach the podium and we are very proud we did, especially in third – it’s unbelievable,” said Hug. “It was hard to be motivated today after a full day’s rest yesterday, so to get that consistency of performance back straight away is no small achievement.” Hug also lauded the prowess of the uber Usshers. “Talk about professionalism,” he added. “They live on adventure races. Nevertheless, they’re unbelievable!” In the battle for local bragging rights, the 2XU Blackberry team topped the eight-team UAE line-up, securing 15th place overall with a time of 58h14m56s – 18 hours ahead of next best local quartet, EcoRacers, who finished 30th in a time of 76h18m21s. “This is a very good result based on the amount of training we did,” said 2XU Blackberry team captain, Darryl Chiles. “Although the race was much tougher than last year, I like the new design because it keeps the event fresh.” Among the female-dominated squads, the Russians’ Arena-Craft team conquered their South African counterparts by more than 19 hour, clocking 67h08m49s compared to the www.ar.co.za team’s time of 86h54m58s. “I am deliriously happy,” said Thuault. “This event remains the sternest of challenges for even the best adventure racers. The new route was a new experience for everybody - it was harder and required more time to finish.” Over the last six days, the 50 starting teams have swam, mountain biked, canoed, climbed, kayaked and navigated their way through a diverse range of the emirate’s stunning natural landscapes, from the dizzying heights of Jebel Hafeet in Abu Dhabi’s heritage heartland of Al Ain, to the vast expanse of the Empty Quarter in the Al Gharbia Western Region – where dunes the size of a 40-storey building faced teams. The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge was conceived by ADTA to globally promote the emirate’s burgeoning credentials as a world-class adventure leisure destination and to showcase Abu Dhabi’s vast natural beauty. ADTA works closely with a number of governmental and commercial bodies to successfully stage the Challenge, including General Head Quarters of the Armed Forces (GHQ); Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA); Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO); Abu Dhabi Police; Al Ain Traffic Police; Abu Dhabi Customs; Ministry of Health; Abu Dhabi Beaches; Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Mirfa municipalities; and Emirates Palace. To find out more about Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge 2010, please log on to: www.abudhabi-adventure.com. |
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