Dark Zone Highs and Lows

Rob Howard / 12.11.2014

Dark Zones are an unfortunate necessity in big races, for the obvious reason that it is dangerous to paddle on fast flowing water in the dark.  Their application disrupts races by forcing teams into long stops (11 hours in this case) and inevitably splits the competition and though teams can plan their race around them, it’s not easy to do. No one could have foreseen the 4 hour penalty for example.

So, this evening I found myself waiting at the side of a fast flowing river as the light faded and the dark zone deadline of 18.30 approached. I was in good company. There were more than 30 other watchers there and many more virtual watchers around the world – all willing on Team France and Ecuador Movistar who were racing against the dark zone deadline.

As the gloom deepened and the bats started flying there was a shout and sudden activity and Team France came into view, paddling steadily out of the tributary river and across the flow of the main channel. They came ashore, tired and relieved at 18.10, making the cut-off with 20 minutes to spare, and arriving in third place behind leaders Seagate and 2^nd place Colombia Vidaraid.

They were still a kilometre from the transition and not an easy one either. The team had to haul their kayaks out of the water and up a steep track to the road, then along the road to the TA!  (Which is why their arrival time shows as 18.27.)

One down - one to go. Ecuador Movistar were still on the water and everyone knew it would be touch and go if they would make it in time or not.  We waited, the time ticked by, the gloom turned to darkness, and no kayaks appeared across the river. 18.30 arrived and for a few more minutes no one moved, then the disappointed crowd moved back up the hill in the dark.

None were as disappointed as the team I am sure.  Just a short distance away, perhaps 20 to 30 minutes paddling, they were having to come ashore and camp for the next 11 hours. (All the teams had been instructed to carry their tents, in case of rain and to keep off mosquitoes and other insects.)

They are still in a strong 4^th place though as no other teams even made it onto the water, and when the paddling resumes at 05.30 they will have around a 5 to 6 hour lead over the chasing pack of teams. Let’s hope they have a comfortable night and the rains hold off.

You can follow the race live at http://live.huairasinchi.com/

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