success or failure of teams during the first stage of the race. Some
teams had little time to get to know their horses for the Ride and
run. A collection of ponies and horses of various sizes were
distributed to the teams according to their riding ability. The
British team Helly Hansen UK, were allocated one large horse and once
medium, but they were one of the last teams to start. The first six
teams were started just after 9:30 AM followed 30 seconds later by a
second group, immediately a couple of horses lost their riders. During
the first circuit of the lake at the Palace of Versailles at least
seven teams lost control of their horses. Team DENIV was the final
team to leave the Palace grounds after waiting for a replacement
horse.
Once on the true course a group of five teams broke away and by the
time the time they reached the compulsory rest stop, Team WILSA SPORT
HELLY HANSEN had a 20 minute lead despite Karine Baillet, falling off
in a rocky part of the course and having the horse step on her.
VAUCLUSE AVENTURES EVASIONS lead a pack of four teams separated by a
few minutes followed 10minutes later by TEAM SPORT 2000 LAFUMA VIBRAM.
Teams continued to arrive in groups or singularly and it was noticed
than many of the horses were suffering from the heat and some teams
such as LES FOUS DE BASSIN TDR BX resorted to leading their horses.
Georges CAUCHOIS of Lattitude 55 the oldest competitor finished the
first leg in the middle of the field and the team had no problems and
were happy with their progress.
During the rest stop teams were also treated to a meal and had time to
attend to minor injuries whilst their mounts were inspected. A
Decision was then made to change the format of the second part of the
ride and run with each team departing with only one horse. Cutoff
times were also adjusted with teams allowed to take 3 hours on the
second half without penalty. Subsequently cutoff times for extreme and
adventure have also been extended by 3 hours.
At the time this report goes to press all teams have competed the
initial run and ride with Helly Hansen UK in last position.
Teams face a hard night of racing once they finish the second stage of
the ride and run with some 96K of mountain biking and 15 K of
Orienteering before reaching the end of the stage at Fontainebleau.
The second stage starts at midday tomorrow at Saint-Florentin with
Kayaking and team will either make a road transfer from Fontainebleau
or else will head there directly having dropped to a lower
classification.