Team Mountain Designs are the winners of the 7th edition of XPD, the expedition length adventure race in outback South Australia. The team took 5 days, 2 hours and 8 minutes to complete the 700 km course across the Flinders Ranges on bike, foot and a short kayak section in unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions.
Mountain Designs crossed the finish line in Port Augusta only 9 minutes ahead of the young New Zealand team, Bivouac Colts. CYCO Girls on Top, also from New Zealand, took third place.
Team Mountains Designs lead the field of thirty teams almost from start to finish.
“Thank you to everyone out there for all your support throughout the race” they said.
High temperatures and harsh rocky terrain played havoc on competitors feet, with many suffering from severe blisters. Heat exhaustion was also an issue for many teams, particularly during the trek across the dry salt lake, Lake Frome.
The Bivouac Colts raced strongly but were unaccustomed to the outback Australian weather and terrain. “[We] have learnt a lot of respect for this environment and the fellow racers around us” they blogged from the finishing line.
“We have no regrets for attempting and giving it 100% and trying our best.”
CYCO Girls on Top* were tired but elated when they crossed the finish line in third place, 3 hours and 2 minutes after the winning team.
“What a brutal, tough, stunning, fun course that was… [we] are happy to report all are well and in good spirits”.
Team Mountain Designs will now travel to Costa Rica in December to compete in the World Adventure Racing Championships.
* Former SA adventure racer, Sakkie Meyer (he’s been living in NZ for a few years now) was racing in Team CYCO Girls on Top.
For more details and low res images go to live.xpd.com.au