 By Jacqueline Windh70 teams are now starting to make their way to La Rioja region, in northern Argentina, for Xtremo6000, a 3-day adventure race that is South America´s newest addition to the AR World Series circuit.
In the elite category, teams will be aiming towards winning a share of the total of 50,000 Argentinean pesos ($US13,000) in prize money, that will be split between the top three finishers in the mixed and all-male categories.
Race Director Eduardo Caputo gives an idea of what teams can expect: "The routes are all planned out now. Teams can expect some high temperatures over the first stage, which takes place in Talampaya (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), which is pretty much a desert. The second stage will be in the high Andes, in an area with high lakes at around 4200 m above sea level, where racers can also expect to se ehuge herds of vicuna (a wild type of llama). The third day will be in Villa Union, with a more technical route consisting of both mountain bike and trekking, with some challenging navigation."
Eduardo notes that the environments that racers will pass through are diverse, and in places quite inhospitable. Temperatures along the route may range from 5 to 32 degrees C, and some areas will be very dry but others could be subject to sudden downpours.
He is very excited to provide, through inclusion of Xtrem6000 as part of the ARWS, a means for South American teams to qualify for the Worlds which will take place in Spain later this year. In addition to the prize money on offer (about $4000US for first place in the mixed and male elite categories), the top mixed team will also receive free entry to the Worlds, as well as the 4 airfares to Spain on Aerolíneas Argentinas.
I am on my way to Argentina too - I will get to the race site on the 24th, and will post some more pre-race info upon arrival there. Competition runs from the 25th through the 27th.
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