After a successful debut edition, the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge — the ultimate outdoor endurance race (pictured), held under the patronage of Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council — is to become an annual fixture on the UAE sports calendar.
It was won by South Pacific quartet, Team Eurosport New Zealand — whose dominance in the first two days’ 118 kilometre sea kayaking trial saw them build up an unassailable lead.
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which was behind the initiative, has hailed the inaugural event’s success and promised an even bigger version next year.
“After a gripping week of adventure, exploration, stamina and determination, the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge stage is now set for an expanded programme next year,” said ADTA director general Mubarak Al Muhairi.
“There is no doubt that this event lived up to our over-arching aims of raising the emirate’s global profile and positioning the UAE capital as a world-class leisure and major events destination, and about sharing Abu Dhabi — one of the globe’s most unique and diverse destinations — with the world.
“Perhaps more than any other, this event highlighted the remarkable beauty and diversity in the emirate’s geographical assets, and demonstrated the breadth of the UAE capital’s landscape.”
With the six-day Challenge seeing the 25 teams which completed the event cover more than 400km in disciplines as diverse as sea kayaking, adventure running, mountain biking, adventure trekking, desert hiking, cross orienteering, and rope and mountaineering activities, Team Eurosport NZ’s victory proved true the old sporting adage that leading is infinitely better than chasing.
Finishing in 40 hours and 55 minutes, the Kiwi foursome finished 20 minutes ahead of runners-up Team Nike, of the USA, and 31 minutes in front of bronze medallists, France’s Team Wilsa Hellyhansen.
“Before the final day we sat down together to discuss the situation and we decided we didn’t come here to finish second. If we had the chance we should take it — and this was our chance,” said Eurosport NZ captain Richard Ussher.
“We decided to go as hard as possible right from the very start of the final’s day adventure run up Jebel Hafeet.
“Suffering is part of adventure racing and we accepted that, it’s been a hard road to get here but it’s been well worth it.”
Praising the UAE capital’s diverse landscape, Ussher added: “The scenery was truly spectacular. The contrast between the Arabian seas, the Liwa desert — which was truly magnificent, and the mountains around Jebel Hafeet were unbelievable, and put us to the test every day.
“Each day provided new disciplines in new environments —this is the essence of the sport, and something the organisers have successfully incorporated into the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge — we’ll be back to defend our title next year, though I’m sure the competition will be even more intense in 2008.”
The inaugural Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge, jointly organised by ADTA and Community, the French outdoor sport events management specialists, is primed to become a season-ending fixture on the international Adventure Racing circuit.
“The teams, and of course ADTA, have been assisted by a monumental logistical operation being serviced by Abu Dhabi Armed Forces Officers Club (AFOC) under the direction of general Mohammad Hilal Al Kaabi — and we thank them again,” Al Muhairi added.
