Thule Adventure Team Wins Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge Again!

The 2010 edition of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge came to an end today just like the last three versions of the race. The New Zealand team Thule Adventure crossed the finish line ahead of the pack, claiming their fourth straight victory in the event, which has held a place on the December calendar for the past few years, marking an end to the adventure racing season on an annual basis.

Thule Adventure is captained by Richard Ussher who is joined by wife Elina, as well as Nathan Fa'avae and Marcel Hagener. The team completed the final kayaking leg, which was shortened due to high winds and rough seas, in just 3 hours, 17 minutes, 41 seconds. They came across the finish line more than an hour ahead of their closest competitor and won each of the nine stages throughout the week of racing. This was also their largest margin of victory ever in the ADAC, which helped to underscore their dominance in this race.

The second place spot went to Thule Adventure/Europe and third place was claimed by Wenger SUI-GER, both of which ran a very tough, competitive race, but were never much of a threat to the overall winners.

With those results in, another edition of the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge comes to close, bringing a curtain down on the 2010 AR season, which to me seemed like a great bounce back year for the sport, which has been hampered by the economic slump that we've all been in for the past few years. 2011 looks to be a great year for adventure racing though, so expect plenty of coverage on some great events in the months to come.