A complete reversal of this month’s 426kms Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge route will play a major role in levelling the playing field, with team tactics taking on ever greater importance, according to Race Director, Sylvain Thuault.

For the first time in its four-year history, the Challenge course will now traverse from east to west.

Quite significantly, apart from the race ending where it begins – at the scenic Abu Dhabi Corniche – the final two days of the six-day race will be a physically demanding 129km sea kayaking stage, which could very well make or break teams – seasoned or rookie, trailing or leading - as they race towards the finish line.

“Nothing about the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is easy, but in my opinion, the demanding blend of desert, mountain and water-based activities is the toughest aspect,” said Thuault, himself an experienced endurance racer. “The sea kayaking section is lengthy and can be very monotonous. Preparation is integral - both physically and mentally.”

In addition, the two-day, 121km desert trek across the Rub’ al Khali poses a whole new set of challenges for the record-breaking 50 teams. In past years, athletes have raced from west to east, with the prevailing wind at their backs, climbing the firmer, gentler slope and descending the steeper, softer side of the immense dunes that constitute the world’s largest uninterrupted stretch of desert.

Racing in the opposite direction, they will be forced to climb the softer slope and descend the relatively rigid, wind-packed side; an energy-sapping task compounding an already demanding stage. Added to the obvious challenge of crossing the desert on foot in this ‘tougher’ direction is the absence of a grouped start, enabling teams to be more innovative and aggressive in their tactical and route choices.

“The vast desert can be very unpredictable. You never know what will happen,” Thuault explained. “Spontaneous sandstorms can reduce a team’s average speed and cause severe problems in terms of navigation. The desert route is very long. Plotting a course is much harder than it seems.”

Talking about the significant changes made to this year’s course, Thuault revealed that creating new challenges for competitors and maintaining the general public’s interest for the event were key factors.

“To ensure that the Challenge retains its freshness for competitors and continues to engage the general public as viewers, we constantly re-design and develop the route,” said Thuault. “In particular, we are very fortunate to have Abu Dhabi’s geographical diversity. This has provided us with ample opportunities to experiment with the race and the scheduling of disciplines.

“With Abu Dhabi’s beautiful urban and rural backdrops and the recurring capacity of the race to attract top-tier line-ups, the Challenge has become an instant classic,” he added.

Changes to the course have also presented significant strategy considerations for both experienced and novice teams. And according to Thuault, it is imperative that teammates work closely together from training to the actual race itself – from physical conditioning to mapping out a team strategy.

He stressed collective understanding and cohesion is perhaps the most important precursor to achieving success in adventure racing.

“All of a team’s members must be on the same wavelength, when one drops another must pick them up. Aside from the essential physical prowess, fortitude and patience are fundamental ingredients for success,” Thuault advised. “For six days, four individual team members are together, battling the elements, each other and themselves. Trust and patience are so important.”

With regard to preparations for such a physically demanding sport as endurance racing, Thuault also pointed out the differences and potential risks especially for first-timers.

“Seasoned adventure racers usually just fine tune their conditioning before the Challenge to ensure they are at peak fitness. But for amateurs and newcomers, I would recommend a minimum of four months of physical training,” Thuault explained. “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail as they say.

“While the Challenge is designed for all competitors, professionals and amateur, we need to be wary of the inherent risks involved for endurance novices. If teams are in good shape and work well collectively then finishing the race is possible. In this race, respect – for team-mates, your body and your surroundings – is an indispensable attribute,” Thuault added.

And in analysing the formula for success behind three-time champions, Richard and Elina Ussher, who will back this month to try and make it four on the bounce, Thuault attributes this to Richard’s professionalism as an athlete, including his application, courage and determination.

“Richard has that rare ability to put the difficulties of his surroundings to the back of his mind and retain focus,” Thuault described. “It is an ability that calms and encourages others.

“He never complains if there is a problem, be it to the organisers or his team-mates. Together with his wife, Elina, he is the pillar of his team and will take some beating.

“Richard’s main strength is that he leaves nothing to chance. But then everyone can be beaten,” Thuault added.

The Challenge, which will run December 10-15, was conceived by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (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. With a new-look course for 2010, racing fans will be able to cheer on their country’s teams at the opening Abu Dhabi city triathlon on Friday 10th December and at the finish, which takes place on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche public beach for the first time (15th December).

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 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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