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Ready for the Start

Tim / 22.11.2002

The prologue was arranged so that the team start order can be decided for the actual race. Teams were drawn from a hat in order to be given a dragon boat, each boat carrying 4 teams. Team Saab Salomon were unlucky in getting the middle boat (number 4), along with GoLite (USA), Suunto (Finland) and Team China. The boats were more like bathtubs than racing crafts and were very hard work to get moving. What followed was a very messy quagmire of dragons and paddles, but it seemed that everyone was having fun.

The leading boat (number 2) was that of Team Nokia, Team Saab Salomon’s came in 5th which will give them a start position in the middle of the field. However, this shouldn’t have too great a bearing on the race and the lead teams will soon find their positions in the field. All of the teams will be led away by reigning champions Team Hi-Tec.

Day 1 looks interesting, but is dominated by sea kayaking, with over 70% of the day spent in the boats with a number of portages thrown in along the way. As well as this, teams will have to complete numerous other adventures including snorkelling, running, rope activities, inline skating and team biathlon – a sort of run/bike relay.

For more pictures visit the Mild 7 gallery on the team website - www.teamsaabsalomon.com .

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