It was the world's longest and hardest adventure race. Twenty-two
competing teams from all over the globe dwindled down to ten at the
finish line.
They participated in the 1999 Elf Authentic Adventure held on the islands of
Samar, Biliran, and Leyte from April 17-29. The event was an expedition,
competition, and cultural exchange rolled in one. It set a new standard in
multi-day, multi-sport races, alternating sea and river kayaking, trekking,
mountain climbing, caving, rollerblading and sailing. Totaling 689 kilometers,
the course covered mixed terrain, rivers and sea, above and underground. The
call to adventure was also an immersion of the spirit as all the participants
were required to complete an exchange project for the benefit of the islanders.
This local mission component bore weight in the contenders' final
classification and ranking.
The organizer, the Gerard Fusil Company, and the Elf Aquitaine Group teamed
up with Coleman to be the official equipment supplier for the race. Providing
full logistical support for the organizers and staff, Coleman distributed
generator sets, tents, emergency blankets, coolers, lanterns, headlamps,
stoves and other camping and outdoor gear to key race stations.
Complementing this massive effort was the presence of several Coleman
Press Clubs where organizers, staff and race participants took a brief respite
from the harsh conditions. Outfitted with premier Coleman outdoor gear, the
press clubs also provided a neutral venue where the spirit of camaraderie
enlivened participants and organizers at crucial stages of the race.
The competitors hiked in the thick jungles of
Samar and Biliran, and traversed the Gandara
River out into the open sea and on to Biliran.
Then they scaled a 300-ft mountain and
paddled back to Samar. To cross the island,
the teams passed through the subterranean
Langun Cave, climbing Mt. Agad and navigating
the river to Suribao. The next challenge involved
negotiating a 101-km rollerblading leg to
Sulangan. From there, they launched their
subiran, a local trimaran sailboat, for a 103-km sail en route to the finish line
at Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban.
Topping the Extreme Class was an international team, Spie Batignolles, who
finished in a span of 10 days, 22 hours and 15 minutes. Team
Epinephrine/Pharmanex of the USA bagged the second place with 11 days
and three hours, while France's Vital Fuji Films came in third with 11 days, 20
hours and three minutes.
Team Gym Salomon from France won in the Colemansponsored Adventure
Class, with a record of 11 days, 19 hours and 37 minutes. Coleman Asia,
represented by Regional manager Frank Cancelloni, awarded the winning
team with Coleman Weather-Tec dome tents, X-treme Powermax stoves and
cartridges, compasses and graphite flashlights.
Of particular pride to Filipinos was the second place finish of the Philippines'
Ayala Mountaineers-Elf Antargaz, the team jointly sponsored by Coleman and
Focus Global, Coleman's Philippine distributor. Renoma Team Kong from Italy
and the international Team Tchibouela also tied for second place, clocking in
11 days and 22 hours.
Organizers and participating teams hailed the experience a call well-heeded.
The first Elf Authentic Adventure was an exciting prelude to the next challenge
in Brazil 2000.
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