Notes from the Field: Support Teams
Posted by: Frances Fisher, Asst Media Director

Tonight, support teams eagerly await the arrival of their racers.  Competitors will be completing the 46 mile Mind Quest Ultra Marathon leg over the course of the night, with lead teams arriving now and the rest navigating through dark woods to get to the TA by dawn, when inflatable kayaks will be “put in” for the Travel Montana river section. 

Support teams consist of families, loved ones, and/or racing partners sidelined by injury or bad luck in Rochambeau (aka Rock, Paper, Scissors).  Aja Cook is just such a hopeful contender, sitting out from racing with the Dirty Avocados (I and II) but contributing by providing an experienced, knowledgeable presence at the TAs.  As a racer herself, she feels her insights into the racing mindset and logistical needs provide a benefit over friends and family who aren’t racers themselves.

Tonight the lead teams will get a good night’s sleep and the lagging teams will face nighttime hazards — including difficult navigation and possible encounters with bears, moose, mountain lions, and nocturnal animals.  The support teams will be on the hook to help these teams power through and get on the river with the right gear, the right food, and right on time.  (Don’t make it too comfortable though, they may stay too long!)

This entry was posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 at 10:39 pm and is filed under Primal Quest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.