TWO Aussies and two Kiwi kiters have made it across the Sahara to be the first kiters to kite across the great Sahara desert with wind power alone.
Aussies Dr Geoff Wilson and Garth Freeman raced against Kiwis Craig Hansen and Steve Gurney to be the first to cross the Sahara, around 2500 kilometres.
“We all know this will be very tough – the wind is variable, the terrain difficult, the heat extreme and death greets any navigational mistake or error,’’ Dr Wilson said.
“Other challenges include difficult border crossings, impassable terrain, mine fields as wide as 250 km which we must be guided through, desert pirates/bandits and lack of water - just to name a few.
“Little wonder no one has tried to cross this before.”
Heat will reach up to 50 degrees Celsius during the day and the water needs of an adult male in 43 degrees are 19 litres per day.
Dr Wilson, a Queensland vet, said mine guides have been hired to help them get through treacherous stretches in Mauritania, Algeria and Morocco.
Some of the mines were laid during WWII but most were placed during recent conflicts and some span over 250km. Makes a slim chance look easy.
“Anti-personnel mines will blow off your legs and possibly kill you if you step on one,” Dr Wilson said.
He said the slightest deviation could result in a fatal accident.
They could also be in trouble if they come across bands of pirates and desert bandits.
Since 2007, the Tuareg people, who live in the Sahara regions of northern Mali and Niger have led insurgencies against westerners.
Despite all this, Dr Wilson said they are determined they can make it and have invested the last year to prepare for the trip.
“The hard parts are done - we have built a beefed up version of the Peter Lynn Bigfoot Kite Buggy that we feel is capable of making it.”
The explorers have two 4X4 vehicles with support gear which crews will drive from England to Morocco for the race.
“In true TransTasman fashion the Kiwis have taken it very seriously - they intend to win. The race consists of 11 stages, each stage consisting on up to three legs of varying length (80 - 200km).”
The race is a time trial - each teams time is measured by the time that leg took its slowest buggier to complete.
The lowest cumulative time over 30 days will win - the prize - a World record.
I reckon, good on them for taking kiting to the next world record breaking level. You wouldn’t see me out there, but I’ll be cheering them on from my lounge room.
Go to kitemag.com.au in the first week of September to read updates and see videos and photos from the Mad Way South. |
