May 18, 2013

Atomic AR

 

Photos:  Elite Teams  |  Sport Teams  |  Race Photos (coming soon)

 

Race Reports: Florida Xtreme/ Gramicci  |  Cow Tipping Dwarfs  |  Canyoneros

 

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Pangea Adventure Racing returned to the charming town of Blue Ridge, GA for the 2013 Atomic AR and we were greeted with the regular red carpet on race day; rain! That's right rain and the threat of more rain seems to be a staple at this event but like always, adventure racers just take it in stride and power through.

 

The unpredictable nature of mother nature also poses challenges for the race directors. At the request of the National Forest Service, we decided to eliminate an Elite bike section and parts of the Sport bike due to rain. It was the right decision but it did hurt Elite teams strategizing their race around those points. It also affected the Sport race causing new instructions and surprises on the fly.

 

With that being said we got nothing but compliments about how interesting and different the challenge was specifically from the Elite. Those who thought differently didn't relay it to us and at the end of day we are just trying to put on events that will keep you interested in this sport.

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As for the action, the Elite race was hard fought. Nobody ultimately cleared the course but that would have been a truly impressive feat.

 

At the top, Rib Mountain Racing lead Rev3/MK Masters by a point heading into the daunting Cold Mountain trek section. No other team spent as much time on this section than these two. Rev3 did gain that point back but it was at the expense of more than an hour. That allowed Rib Mountain to finish off the course with the time cushion and take the victory.

 

Rounding out the top three were the Adventure Capitalist/BDAR who finished nearly six hours earlier than the top two but fell two points short. Could have been their strategy but we also heard rumors of one teammate breaking his finger during the first paddle and toughing it out the rest of the way. No matter what it was a great race by them.

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In the Sport Race, we were so happy to see the great amount of newcomers at this event. With that being said, one of our familiar Florida teams, the Cow Tipping Dwarfs, made the trip to take first. This win improves the Dwarf's already impressive 2013 resume. Five teams in all cleared the course and every team got more than half of the CPs. What really stood out to us though was the awesome attitudes nearly everyone had. The day may have been gloomy but the racers were full of sunshine.

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Thanks again to everyone who came out for the 2013 Atomic AR. Creating such an event so far away from home is no easy task. Also a special thanks to Allen Van Valkenburg for taking time out to come scout with us to help ease the load.

 

But what really makes an event great is the participants themselves. The way that a drained Elite racer can muster up enough energy to laugh along with volunteers and practice comradery with their fellow combatants is inspiring. And when the eager Sport teams can roll in and brighten up a cloudy day it's just simply awesome. If you like our races then thank yourselves because you are the reason we keep putting them on. 

 

We'll see you next time.

-Pangea Adventure Racing

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Dry Branch Rd (map)
Blue Ridge, GA 30513

 

Big thanks to Camp Skeenah Creek for allowing us to use their campground to start the 30 hour Elite race. Home of the original and still working Skeenah Creek Mill that was built 1848. A beautiful bit of living history.