May 17: TEAM MONTRAIL Disappointed in Bimbache Extreme in Canary Islands
Rebecca, Novak, Justin and John raced to a 4th place finish on Grand Canary Island in the a 4-day staged race: 1st stage 8-12 hrs, 2nd stage 24-36 hrs, 3rd stage 4-6 hrs. Fifteen teams started the race, but only 5 completed the full course. TEAM MONTRAIL raced well on the first and last stage, but had a tough day on the long 2nd stage. Novak was fighting a stomach bug for about 10 hours on the course, so they were walking when everyone else was running. Rebecca will be writing up a race report in the next few days.
May 1: Check out Paddler Magazine (May Issue)
Rebecca is profiled (p 79) and Red Bull Divide & Conquer Race is also profiled (p 76)…Patrick is the course designer.
Apr 22: NOVAK Qualifies for Mountain Bike Orienteering World Championships
In the Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering National Championship competition April 12-13, Novak finished 5th earning himself a spot in the September World Championships…top 6 get to move on to Worlds. Novak’s comment about his race: “A pleasing result given this was my first MTB orienteering event, and it is VERY different from adventure racing”. Congratulations, Nov.
Mar 1 : Congratulations !! Kudos for TEAM MONTRAIL 2003 Performance
***Sports Illustrated has named TEAM MONTRAIL as the best AR team in 2003 based on their outstanding season culminated by their win in Kyrgyzstan at the Raid Gauloises.
***12th Annual Endurance Sports Awards (sponsored by Competitor Magazine) has chosen Rebecca as “Adventure Racer of the Year”. She was honored at the awards show and banquet in San Diego Feb 7th at what has been called “The Academy Awards of Endurance Sports”.
***Adventure Sports Magazine named TEAM MONTRAIL runner-up for Team of the Year, Rebecca as a finalist for Female Athlete of the Year, and Patrick as a finalist for Male Athlete of the Year.
***Geelong Advertiser pegs John Jacoby as a finalist for Sports Star of the Year award.
TEAM MONTRAIL Victorious in 12th Raid Gauloises in Kyrgyzstan!!!
An exuberant and elated TEAM MONTRAIL paddled across the finish line at Toktogul, Kyrgyzstan to win the Raid Gauloises. Rebecca Rusch, Patrick Harper, John Jacoby and Novak Thompson were all smiles as they climbed out of their canoes after paddling the last 40 km of the 850 km course through rugged, remote and sparsley populated Kyrgyzstan. TEAM MONTRAIL was the only US team in the field of 36 teams from 19 countries…only 12 finished the course. (Read “Team Mom” race reports…)
Congratulations to TEAM MONTRAIL for an amazing race and a decisive win.
“Led by Rebecca Rusch, MONTRAIL has demonstrated the perfect expedition race, making a steady start over the first 2 days, before stamping their authority on the event on day three, and not looking back since.” (sleepmonsters.com)
REBECCA Answers “10 Questions” on WorldAR Website (Read more…)