This is the perfect time to look over the 2010 AR World Series calendar and highlight the events comprising this circuit of international races.  There are 10 races in the Adventure Racing World Series this year (11 if you include Ecomotion Brazil that took place at the end of November 2009).   I have inside information suggesting there may be another race added to the World Series soon, but the official announcement hasn’t been made yet so I’ll leave everyone in suspense over where/when this 11th ARWS event will be in 2010 (expect an announcement soon, however).

Let me summarize the 10 races in 2010 that comprise the AR World Series:

• Huairasinchi (Ecuador) Feb 13-15
• Poland Winter Challenge (Poland) Feb 21-28
• xtremo6000 (Argentina) Feb 25-27
• Portugal XPD (Portugal) May ???
• XPD Australia (Australia) May 17-28
• Explore Sweden (Sweden) July 11-17
• Untamed New England (USA) Aug 12-15
• Costa Rica AR (Costa Rica) Aug 23-27
• Raid in France (France) Aug 27-29
• Bimbache Extreme (Spain) – AR World Championship Sept 30-Oct 9

This is the first installment in a series with Adventure World Magazine where I’ll examine each of these races and share a bit of what I know about each one.  I’ll approach these races chronologically, so the first race on the list is just 1 month away . . .

Huairasinchi Trekking

Thoughts on the Huairasinchi Adventure Race (Feb 13-15)

I’ve met with the Race Director for Huairasinchi, a man named Santiago who has an unmistakeable resemblance to the Latin American revolutionary Che Guevarra, and in near-perfect English he explained how his race is a gem set against the mountainous spine of South America — the Andes.  Santiago explained:

“This is a lush, beautiful country.  Adventure Racing here, at Huairasinchi, will literally and figuratively leave you breathless!”

Huairasinchi is billed as the highest adventure race in the world with a 3-day race course including the towering range of Andes mountains.   Biological diversity is another highlight here, with Ecuadorian jungle and highlands sure to deliver an amazing adventure experience.

One glance at the team list shows that this race is very popular in the region with so many South American teams on the roster; Equipo Ecuador (Team Ecuador) is one to keep an eye on, having raced well on the international scene before and with this event on their home turf. Notable foreign teams include the winner of the race in 2009 — Buff Thermocool from Spain (on paper the international favorite).  The Raid74 team is also coming from France.  From North America, there are two Canadian teams with one lead by Leanne Mueller of ATP/Salomon (racing at Huairasinchi as the Untamed New England sponsored team) and the other team from Ontario: Milton Basement Racers.

The Untamed New England team's Leanne Mueller will be racing at Huairasinchi

Mueller’s Untamed New England team is composed of 4 women, sure to send the South American machismo for a loop when these ladies power through that race course!  The Untamed New England team racing at Huairasinchi is experienced and fast and it will be fun to watch them in action in South America.  The other Canadian team, Milton Basement Racers, are not to be overlooked with a strong track-record of top adventure race performances in the US and Canada.   I’ve only seen Milton Basement Racers compete in person at one event, the 2009 Untamed New England, but I was very impressed by them.  An international race such as this is going to be very unpredictable, but I think North America will be well-represented.

I’ll pick this up on Monday, January 18th, with a look at the two AR World Series racers set for later on in February.

Related posts:

1. 2010 AR World Series Preview (part 6)
2. 2010 AR World Series Preview (part 2)
3. 2010 AR World Series Preview (part 4)
4. 2010 AR World Series Preview (part 3)
5. 2010 AR World Series Preview (part 5)