CORSICA RAID 2005

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27.05.05 - 10:22
The 1st teams have just landed in Corsica, eager to discover what's awaiting them. On the Organization's side, it's the big rush : last preparations and last advices to welcome all the participants of the Corsica Raid

28.05.05 - 09:30
At nine o’clock this morning, all raiders and all the organizers met in the gardens of the Maison du Développement of San Nicolau di Moriani to get to know each other around a cup of coffee. Everyboby’s in a great mood and the applause crackles as each team is introduced. Little photo shooting to immortalize the racers still in great condition –not for long !!! – then departure for the checks…

28.05.05 -11:00
All the teams’ vehicles have unloaded their material –and there are loads of it!- and are waiting for a technician to come and check each item after another. If some racers feel quite confident, others have prepared their stuff in a hurry and they have some doubts…They can only hope that the technician will say the magic word : “it’s OK !”

28.05.05 - 15:00
A bit squeezed up in the Maison du Developpement’s Amphitheater, all the raiders are all ears to catch every single word of the briefing given by Michel, Vanessa, Patrick, Christophe and Jean-Louis, the technical staff in charge of the race. Azimuth, assistance point, markers, mandatory equipment, maps…the talk’s technical and better remember everything to avoid the penalty which can compromise the whole race! As good as gold –or nearly- the racers take notes, ask questions and start setting up their strategy.

28.05.05 - 19:00
The prologue in San Nicolau starts in 30 minutes; the racers are glad to begin the race after the severale “formalities” which took most of the day. A great way to free their mind before tomorrow’s official departure !

28.05.05 -19:33
They were all there and set off like madmen after the departure in Fano. After 3 minutes of race, the team 13, Europ Nature Scandinavia takes the first place, followed by Planet XA Pro. The team Quechua is the last to start but nothing is lost yet !

28.05.05 - 20:04
Winner of the prologue for the Aventure, team 01 Experaid, already winner last year. We knew they were motivated and in great condition, it’s certain now, BRAVO !!!
Winner of the prologue for the Challenger : team 20, Coralia ; with a gap of only 6 minutes on the Aventure…great performance !

29.05.05 sunday night resume
After the prologue completed at high speed in the hamlets of the village of San Nicolao, the racers, the organization staff and the inhabitants of the surroundings gather together in the gardens of the Maison du Développement for a typically corsican evening : local food and songs on the programme, relaxed atmosphere, a pleasant mixt to make everyone enjoy this moment of conviviality and friendship. The arrival of the two teams who have won the prologue is welcomed by shouts of joy and the racers receive their prize : superb pieces of potery, real art work realized by Aline and Thibault from the Poteries du Pratu. We can bet that these uniques pieces handmade of sandstone and inspired by the corsican nature will represent a great memento for the racers’ stay in Costa Verde...
This type of party, beside the fact that it is a great occasion to meet and discover each other, is also a incredible mean of promotion of the local culture and products. This is a crucial goal for our association which works all year long to give a positive and attractive image of our island. It’s done now and we can bet that those who did not know Corsica have been entirely won over and that the island has found many new addicts tonight !

29.05.05 09:09
The rocket gun goes off on the beach of Moriani : grouped under the departure arch, the racers start together for their first coastering of this 2005 Corsica Raid. Followed by the encouragements cries of the assistants, the organizers and the audience, they set off at great speed…Stimulated by their victory yesterday, the Expéraids team immediately takes the lead of the race…

29.05.05 09:10 First big surprise of the race, the mistake of the Pedini Cuccine team, who should normally be used to the race since it is their third involvement in this competition. Instead of turning right in the direction of the village centre, the racers continued straight on the beach !!! Realising their mistake, they quickly do a U-turn but too late, there are the last of the group when they come back on the beach for the 2nd loop. They will have to speed up in order to catch up…

29.05.05 10:05
Experaids, gone favorite, are still the first of the group. On the other hand, the team Pedini Cuccine has already made up for the lost time : they are no longer the last, it’s now the team Planet XA pro.

29.05.05 10:06
The Team Expéraids has just arrived in the village of San Nicolau, followed by the teams Rostra, Planet XA Tournette for the Aventure version and GTM followed by Coralia for the Challenger version.

29.05.05 10:30
Sudden turnaround !!! Expéraids, Planet XA Tournette and Pedini Cuccine got a penalty for forgetting to pass the entry to canyon CP !!! They followed each other so closely to stay in the lead that they all made the same mistake ! They will have to run like madmen on the trail to limit the damage…When they learn the decision of the race jury, they are a bit relieved : only 3 hours of penalty, it could have been worst ! The 2005 Corsica Raid promises to be a superb race : no sooner have they started than the favorites are in the end of the ranking and the outsiders run like the wind...

29.05.05 10:46
The Team Steel Triathlon arrives first at the canyon.

29.05.05 12:14
Great canyoning section in the Ucelluline waterfalls ; the racers found the water a bit cold but enjoyed it anyway. Abseiling and tyrolienne in the middle of a lush vegetation, that’s heaven ! From the Buccatoggio bridge, the show is superb and those who stand on the banks would be glad to change places with those
in the water !

29.05.05 13:03
The departure of the trail is given from the Chapel of Castellana for the teams arrived on time. The teams Expéraids, Planet XA Tournette, Pedini Cuccine and Rostra are on the starting line.

29.05.05 13:20
We hope with all our might that the team CSL-Gendarmerie de Bordeaux (n°9) will find the keys of their assistance vehicle that they lost 15-20 minutes ago in the hamlet of Castellana…Courage !

29.05.05 14:04
Expéraids, really in top condition, passes by the control point of San Mamillanu with more than 15 minutes of advance ! The gap between the teams is widening…

29.05.05 14:24
The teams 8 (Planet XA Tournette), 9 (Pedini Cuccine) and 10 (Rostra) pass the CP of San Mamillanu with a few seconds between each.

29.05.05 15:30
The teams are still racing on the trail but some of them have started suffering. The heat is scorching and many racers find it difficult to handle these temperatures they are not used to. Imagine the shock for the Danish team EuropNature Scandinavia which was used to 12° and has to face 32° today !!! Risks of sunstrokes and faintness must be taken very seriously.

29.05.05 16:48
Bad luck for the team 23, Pompiers de Seine et Marne : one team mate fell on his shoulder during the trail and hurt himself. It doesn’t seem to be too bad because they continue running and will see a doctor at the next point.

29.05.05 18:00
The competitors are making tremendous efforts and the struggle is harsh but the magnificient landscapes they are going through should stimulate them : The crests of the Morianincu stretch as far as your eyes can go while the sea is glittering in the sun and you can take a glimps at the toscan islands. Until the end of the section, San Nicolau di Moriani displays her most beautiful treasures for the Corsica Raid ...

29.05.05 18:44
We just learn the neutralization of the team 23, Pompiers de Seine et Marne, arrived late on the CB 3, probably because of the wounded shoulder of one of their team mate. They have been accompanied to their assistance.

29.05.05 20:00
The last members of the Corsica Raid Organization are now leaving the village of San Nicolau di Moriani which was during three days the theatre of a magical adventure. We hope that the presence of the race in the village will help the local population realise how much potential they have to develop nature and outdoor sports. One goal of the Corsica Raid is to dynamise the locals and give them the impulsion to set up a sery of projects. San Nicolau is a very attractive and active village and many projects exist already that help promote the exceptional heritage. We hope that these projects will last, grow and succeed.

30.05.05 monday night resume

The teams are gathered at the entrance door of the Corti citadel. Corti is the historical capital of Corsica. Located in the centre of the isalnd, in the middle of the mountains, the city stands in a majestic way and represents all the colors of Corsica. Corti was the political, administrative and intellectual centre of a nation created by Pasquale Paoli, the “Father of the Nation” who gave Corsica a constitution which inspired the elites of the Enlightment. The city is an example of corsican culture and civilisation where each narrow street is loaded with history. The racers only had a short glimpse at all the beauties of the city but we are certain that they will want to come back for more..
At 10 pm, the teams of the Corsica Raid Challenger take the departure above the Timozzu bridge while the racers of the Corsica Raid Aventure have already tasted the terrain and can now picture themselves what is awaiting them during the night. At the arrival at the Timozzu Plateau, the Catalans of Prosetel Aresta Castellbisbal (team 14) are first, followed by the teams Rostra (10), Ardèche (04) and Expéraids (01) those timings are all very very close.
During the night, the itinerary becomes more difficult and the team Expéraids imposes a frenzied pacewhich only the teams Pedini Cuccine (09), Planet XA Pro (15) and Ardèche (04) are able to follow.

30.05.05 05:45
The Race Staff and the Organization Staff have just arrived at the Casa di a Natura who was kind enough to lend the house to the Corsica Raid. A very nice welcome from Cécile Sisti who works here and helps people discover the superb forest of Vizzavona. Thank you !!!

30.05.05 07:00
The teams take the departure on the Plateau of Timozzu for a magnificient mountain race section that should take them to the top of the Ritondu. The Police Nationale de Montpellier team, extremely tired by the night section, decides not to do this section. They realize their state of tiredness and prefer play safety.

30.05.05 08:48
First team to reach the top of the Ritundo : team 9 Pedini Cuccine, at ease in the snow thanks to their frequent trainings in these mountains. The section is beautiful : it is a real alpin itinerary in high mountains were the progression is by turns on snow and on mix ground. This ascent enables the competitors to understand the reality of alpinism and discover in situ mountain sports, a realo treat !!!

30.05.05 10:00
On the great and imposing massif of the Ritondu, the itinerary has been entirely equiped and securised by technicians of the Corsica Raid organization. 1500 meters of rope have been set up to garantee the passage of the racers on the most difficult sections. Not less than 15 experimented guides and 3 medical teams are present on the spot to make sure that everything works out for the best.The creation of this type of equipment demands a lot of thinking and much work beforehand; it is thanks to the efficiency of professional technicians that we can allow the racer sto live these extraordinary moments in these magic and wild places.

30.05.05 10:58
The 2 last teams arriving on the Ritundo are forced to go down again by the medical staff. The teams 2 (Quechua) and 7 (CSL Gendarmerie de Bordeaux)are too tired to continue on the snow – rope section. For security reasons the organization takes them back to their assistance.

30.05.05 11:00
The rope section which took place on top the the Monte Ritondu has become a piece of anthology which will remain carved in the memories. This exceptionnal challenge is typical of the original creations the Corsica Raid offers each year and which make it such a special race, perhaps the last authentic Adventure Trek.

30.05.05 11:16
Arrival of the team 9 Pedini Cuccine, still 1rst on this second day of race, at the hamlet of Canaglia.

30.05.05 14:42
the teams 11 (Raid Italia), 13 (Europnature Scandinavia)et 23 (Pompiers de Seine et Marne) are still not arrived in Canaglia and the mtb section is due to start at 15h… quick, quick !!!

30.05.05 15:14
We just learn the definitive withdrawal of the team 12 Police Nationale de Montpellier ! Already in difficulty during the night, the team finaly chose to stop the race. This team created in 2000 participated to the several selections of the X Raid Series before trying many other small or big outdoor races. Composed of 2 assistants and 5 racers, all belonging to the Police, this group has a strong team spirit based on friendship and on competition. Willing to give an other image of the Police, they were not there to wi the race but to “enjoy new landscapes and a population with a warm reputation. Let’s hope they will go better soon and will still enjoy the beauties of Corsica.

30.05.05 15:25
Departure of the mountain bike section in the Vizzavona forest. The shadow in the woods is highly appreciated by the racers who can thank the mtb technician of the organization : the tracks are fluid on 90% of the itinerary and it’s a pleasure for MTB addicts. To make things more exciting, there are some pretty technical passages were only trial experts can stay on their bikes, great fun !

30.05.05 16:00
The danish team Europnature Scandinavia is still last … they are not used to high mountains, in Danemark the highest is 175 meters of altitude !!! Even so, they enjoy the adventure and are happy to see Corsica under a gorgeous sun !

30.05.05 17:30
Still on their MTB, the racers ride at high speed through the forest. The team Aresta Prosetel Castellbisbal seems to have good chances of keeping its first place and even of winning the challenge for “best team on the sections in Haute-Corse”, that is to say if they keep this good pace until tomorrow morning...

30.05.05 19:30
During all the sections, the racers must find their itinerary on their own with the help of the precious road-books the Organization gave them during the briefing. In order to promote corsican culture, the names of places are all written in corsican in these road-books. Our goal is to force the racers to go and meet the corsican people in order to understand fully their race itinerary. Thanks to this type of simple actions, we try to help newcomers discover our culture.

31.05.05 tuesday night resume : At 09h00 pm in the Vizzavona forest, a surprise awaits the racrers on the departure : an unexpected check of the rucksacks to see if all the mandatory equipment is there ! Better have everything in order to avoid a penalty which many teams really don’t need !!! The competitors on the Corsica Raid Challenger start their night moutain race from the refuge of Capanelle, near the Ghisoni ski station. The team 20, Coralia Porticcio, knows that she has lost her 1rst place after one of the team mates fell during the snow section on the Ritondu. However, they continue to fight valiantly. It is now the team GTM which has the lead. With only the light of their head lamp, the racers have to follow the path which goes to the Verde Col. The night is already down when they set off and the temperature falls fast. When they arrive at the col, they are greeted by an icy wind. Hopefully, Mr Lubrano’s gite is there to provide warmth and conviviality !
After a long section along the mythical GR20, the 1rst team to arrive at the Col de Verde around midnight is the number 01 Expéraids, always very very strong and motivated.They surprise everyone by being so fast. The last ones arrive very tired around 6 h00 in the morning whilst the departure is at 07h00.
The night has been exhausting and many racers have just understood how difficult the Corsica Raid is. It is a challenge you impose to yourself but which is very hard to win. But this extreme difficulty makes all the beauty of this mythical race : it forces the racers to surpass the tiredness and the pain to go fetch their best and make remarkable achievements they wouldn’t have dreamt of. The Corsica Raid shows the weaknesses, but overall it reveals the power of human will which enables the spirit to win over the body.

31.05.05 07:00
Early in the morning, in this desert place where the only sign of human life is the pleasant gite of Mr Lubrano, everyone is gathered together for the departure of the mountain bike section. On this little piece of land, border between Haute-Corse and Corse du Sud, everybody believes for a moment that the world belongs to him…This feeling give the racers the will to surpass themselves.
31.05.05 09:20
After a vey nice and pleasant mtb section in the forest which goes from the col de Verde to Cuzza, all the teams arrivd and went away with their assistance for a road link to Punta di u Diamantu where is the superb rope section that many raiders are waiting for. After the terrible difficulties of the high mountains, this morning’s section was not a problem for any of the teams. Sunshine and light wind after the icy one of the night, a real treat !

31.05.05 12:35
We payed a little visit to the CP on the road going to the rope section of the Diamantu and we bring back fresh information ! And before all, good news from our 2 wounded racers on the Corsica Raid Challenger:Benoit Chaudron, from the team 20 Coralia Sofitel Porticcio, is due out of the hospital this afternoon. After a terrible and terrifying fall of 150 meters during yesterday’s moutain section on the Monte Ritundo, he was transported to the nearest hospital in emergency by helicopter. Loss of conscience, wounded knee and thigh, Benoit made an enormous fright to his team mates and to all the people on the race Today, everything is fine and he thinks only of coming back ! Super motivated, he boosts his team by phone and encourage them to keep going strong until the end. We are eager to see him back and well and we congratulate warmly all the team for their courage and their combativity.
Michel Vatin, from the team 23 Pompiers de Seine et Marne, is back on the race. After a impressive fall from his mountain bike yesterday in Vizzavona, he had to get 13 stitches at the hospital to sew up his cheek. His left eye is very swollen but Michel continues the race and should be beginning the mtb section very soon. He promised us to be extra careful this time ! Only regret, he will miss the canyon section tomorrow and he was waiting for it since the beginning of the race. Courage and luck to all this team, we hope they will enoy the rest of the race.
31.05.05 14:55
The organization team prepares a little surprise for the assistants who should arrive on the spot of the Viseu racecourse : a delicious and cool sangria which shold please everybody !

31.05.05 15:00
First impressions after the great rope section. For this superb section, the raiders enjoyed great weather conditions : sun, light wind to have some fresh air during the effort and clear blue sky. These top conditions enabled the competitors to see Sardinia in the back while they were hanging in the air, who could ask for more ?!!! A great tyrolienne and 3 abseiling of 50 meters fulfilled all the racers’ dreams and all would have liked to do it again !

31.05.05 15:26
The team Expéraids is doing everything they can to catch up with the Catalans of Prosetel Aresta Castellbisbal and gaiin minutes by minutes. We can bet that the night section will be a terrific fight.

31.05.05 16:28
The teams 1(Expéraids), 14 (Prosetel Aresta Castellbisbal) and 9 (Pedini Cuccine)have just finished the mtb section. All three teams are at their best and their determination promises great sports moments. Let’s bet that they all already thinking about the terrible night section and that they are choosing their strategy to be the most performance on this decisive trial!

31.05.05 18:20
At the Viseu race course CA, Niels, from the team 13 Europnature Scandinavia, gives us his impressions on the mtb section : very pleasant, very good paths but some serious bumps and slopes. He has been very impressed by some teams he crossed on his way who were more experienced them him : “they carried thir bike on their shoulder during some descents and I saw thet they had the good technic as well as the physical strengh”. Niels and his team mates are now getting ready for the night section and we leave them reading their road-book with attention.

01.06.05 wednesday night resume
This night’s orientation section has been terrible for the competitors of the Corsica Raid Aventure and Challenger. Departed at 09h03 pm from the major square of Audde, the racers set off for a long journey across the corsican scrubland. Around 11pm, we can see the first damage caused by this natural labyrinth : we meet the team 2, Quechua, exactly where we left them two hours before !!!
They lost themselves after a few minutes and found themselves blocked in the inextricable tangle of branches. After having criss-crossed in every possible way on 100m² of ground (which they now know off by heart ! ), they realize that they are definitively lost. They have tried everything, have crawled, used their rucksacks as shields to protect themselves from being scratched but there was nothing to do ! This misadventure doesn’t seem to have affected them that much because when we meet Anne-Chantal, Patrick and Thierry in the streets of Audde, they are laughing heartily ! Professional of good temper and derision in all circumstances, Patrick proposes to create a new Corsica Raid just for his team, the Corsica Raid Creative Spirit : indeed, they have a very personal and poetical conception of orientation skills and are always where you don’t expect them at all ! We would like to thank them for the great laugh we had together and congratulate them for their permanent sense of humour!
Other teams made it to the end of the section but it wasn’t an easy task. The team 20, Coralia Sofitel Porticcio took 9h45 to complete the itinerary and had to struggle against the scrubland as well. The members of the team 14, Prosetel Aresta Castellbisbal, after being leader on the last sections, have lost their way at the same time as their 1rst place, for missing waymark n°19.
The team 11, Raid Italia, found itself on the road (!) and then missed waymark n°20.
The teams 01 (Expéraids), 15 (Planet XA Pro) and 9 (Pedini Cuccine) are those who pulled out the best and took the lead. It’s even more impressive when we know that the team 01 got 2 hours of penalty for not staying within voice range and that the 15 got 1 hour for having lost their map !!!
As for the competitors of the team 04 Ardeche, they did a real “tour de force” : they were the best on this section while they had been the worst on yesterday’s mtb, proof that everything is possible on the Corsica Raid !

01.06.05 08:32
After a mad night, all the teams are now in the canyon for a great section which should boost up everyone and help forget the terrible conditions of the night.

01.06.05 10:00
Abseiling, tyroliennes and jumps in the clear water, everybody is happy in the Baraci ! The competitors who did not have the chance to do the Ucelluline canyon on Saturday are taking their revenge and enjoy this last aquatic section of the Corsica Raid.

01.06.05 11:53
Four teams are still in the canyon…it is true that when you set a foot in this magic place and enjoy the pleasures of water you don’t want lo leave but you have to be reasonable and jump on the mtb for the next section !

01.06.05 15:10
The raiders are now on their MTB fot the last bike section of the race. The Coti-Chiavari forest is ideal for this soprt. It offers very technical tracks in the middle of a magnificient vegetation. The sun multiplies the delicate perfumes of the scrubland and those, stronger, of the eucalyptus.

01.06.05 16:30
Last trial of this incredible adventure, a coastering from the Agosta beach to the Purtichju beach. Nothing is don yet because we see a spectacular turn around : the team 09 Pedini Cuccine complains that the team 15, Planet XA Pro, has left a food wrapping during the canyoning section. Very careful concerning the protection of nature, th organization gives a one hour pnalty to the team 15 but also to the team 09 for lack of sports spirit! This choice is greeted by the applause of everyone.

01.06.05 17:50
In th end of the afternoon, after 5 days of incredible efforts, the Corsica aid ends on the beach of la Viva. All around the arrival arch, the competitors, the members of the organization and the audience form a guard of honour for the last teams who crosse the line. Under the applause and the cries of joy, the raiders embrace each other, exhausted but happy and proud.

01.06.05 19:00
Once all the teams have been gathered up, everybody goes to the Coralia’s amphitheater for the prize giving ceremony. The teams pass one by one on the stage to collect their trophy which will remind them of these mythical days. Some racers are in a frightening state : covered in bandages, scratched everywhere, even limping sometimes, they testify of the difficulty of the experience that they have just been through. But the smiles and the sparkling eyes also say the joy and the emotion. Cheered, the winners of the two Corsica raids come to collect their several prizes and savour their glory : in order, ExpéRaids, Pedini Cuccine and Planet XA Pro for the Aventure version and GTM; Défi Santard and the Ptites Louves for the Challenger version.

01.06.05 21:00
Then, it’s time for partying and for filling the stomachs who have been on freeze-dried soups diet for 5 days ! Near the swimming pool, everybody exchanges impressions and anedcotes, the laughs burst out and happiness reigns.
During a couple of hours, time freezes, tiredness disappears and the only thing left is the pleasure of being together, one last time, before life returns to normal…until next year !
We wish to thank heartily all the competitors, all the members of the organization and all our partners for participating in this 11th Corsica Raid and to turn it once more in a “BEAUTIFUL, EXTREME, UNFORGETTABLE” dream.