Winner's blog - City Chase World Finals 2009 - Argentina - Diary of Lorcan Our city chase experience already seems like a blur. It can only be described as intense - from the panic to get to the next checkpoint, completing the assigned task and then figuring out the next clue. We made it to the twentieth checkpoint, and after competing for over 52 hours, our time came to an end. We finished fourth. A brief snippet of my experience is written below, beginning upon entering Argentina.
After 30 hours of flying, we were suddenly in a Taxi making our way to Plaza San Martin. As we pulled up to the square we saw a group of strangers, soon to be friends, standing in a circle waiting for more instructions. This was the first glimpse of the other competitors. They looked rested, fit and acclimatised to the heat - Ciaran and I were not the favourites for this competition. Suddenly an open top double-decker bus came into sight. We climbed aboard, ascended the stairs and our City Chase Journey began.
Upon arrival in airport in Salta, in the north east of Argentina, a welcoming committee was waiting for us. The television cameras were out - and about 4 inches from our faces. This was it. This was how the next few days of our lives were going to be. After a few press photos, another open top double-decker bus was waiting for us outside. This time it was police escorted. Later that day we found out that the competition started in 2 days. The next day would be spent in team interviews, at a press conference and a VIP meal. As we got talking to the rest of the group we found out that we were some of the youngest competitors and that nearly everyone else had a lot of adventure racing experience. Tough times lay ahead.
Two days later we were woken up and told to be ready in 30 minutes. We were heralded through a surreal opening ceremony full of dancers in traditional Argentine dress, loud rhythmic drumming and a buzzing crowd. For the first time, we saw Nick. Suddenly it was every country for themselves as we were told to find the first clue. Clueless, I spotted something sticking out under the saddle of a horse. We had our first clue.
The remainder of the first day is a blur. From visiting museums to collect supplies for later challenges, to loading 50 crates of beer onto a truck, making Empanadas (traditional argentine food - like a Cornish pasty), collecting cleaning supplies to clean the train to the clouds (who knew clouds were so dirty!), completing 25 laps of a professional driving circuit in a go-kart and finally to playing a soccer match against the Salta under 15 team. It was hear that we found out Australia had been knocked out of the competition. The realisation that this journey had ended for one of the teams gave each and every team some impetus as the next challenge approached.
Knockout penalty shootouts. Eventually, it came down to Team Ireland vs. Team USA. To put it mildly, my soccer skills are non-existent. However, the pressure of the moment must have squeezed every bit of talent into my big toe, as with one flailing swoop we got to continue on. That night we got to eat. A traditional Argentine Parilla (grill) full of chorizo sausage, blood sausage and steak filled our bellies. It was the first bit of food we ate all day - we went to bed happy.
After 5 hours sleep, day 2 began with army trumpets blaring. Surprised, confused and probably still asleep I grabbed my clothes and jumped into the back of an army truck without question. As we pulled up outside an army base I began to realise boot camp lay in store for us. Everyone got buzz cuts - except a member of team Canada who was made get a Mohawk! Next we were shown how to use rifles. This day was going to be tough - we were starting last. We had to catch up on a team to make it through to the next task. This challenge started off with us given 7 minutes to memorise a military message. This was followed by a run through an army boot-camp (cargo nets, balance beams, Irish stable - the lot!). Then we were given 30lb army back packs and rifles. We had to run 4km with these through dikes and fields to a rifle range where we had to hit some targets. The next challenge was to bring a sandbag 1km to a forest. Upon entering the forest we had to climb a rope up to the foliage. The remainder of the challenge was to run through water to the end - a few kilometres. Suddenly a glorious sight was in front of us - Team Argentina came into view. We would have to pass them out before the end. Going under cargo nets through rivers and through water filled tunnels - as well as shear desperation - seemed to give us strength. Another bittersweet end came soon as we said goodbye to Ricardo and Claudio.
It was only 12 noon and we knew it was only going to get tougher. The next clue we received was a polo ball and helmet. Having no clue where we were we ran down the first road we could find. A few minutes separated all the teams. Eventually we made it to a polo grounds and we were told to choose a player. It would not be until that player scored that we would be able to move on. Lady luck was on our side as Ignacio scored within minutes! We were back in the race leaving 4th(of 6).
Our next clue brought us to San Miguel's Market where we picked up a shopping trolley full of watermelons and had to run them through the city to various points. The teams behind us came into sight here - they mustn't have had to wait long for their players' to score! All the teams sprinted through the city - fearing for their life in case they smashed a watermelon. Instant disqualification! After delivering the watermelons safely to a local school we got our next clue - 'Chicoana'. We knew this was a town south of Salta and ran for a bus. We had to wait and caught the bus - alongside Singapore and New Zealand.
The next stop was to become a 'Gaucho' - an Argentine cowboy! After putting a saddle on a horse (without instruction!), we got on and performed several tests including taking a glass of wine on a horse from one side of a field to another without dropping any. After successfully using a lasso, we continued on - this time we were given mountain bikes! We were required to bike 22km (8km of dirt road and 14km of paved road) from Chicoana to Santa Anita. It was Team Ireland versus Team New Zealand. Once we arrived at Santa Anita, we were greeted by "Carlos" the owner of a farm, who was in need of some urgent help! We had to get 2L of goat's milk before we could continue to the next ChasePoint! New Zealand had dropped off behind us but both of our teams were beginning to cramp.
After milking the goats, we had to hop onto a bike and travel back to the Hotel del Dique - another 15km! It was late. We knew that the last team to arrive would be eliminated. However lady luck was about to leave us. New Zealand were nowhere in sight. Suddenly it dawned on us we had taken the wrong route! By the time we corrected ourselves Team New Zealand were 100m behind us. The cycling up hills and around the reservoir began to take its toll as both teams were slowing. I turned around and saw the camera crew for the New Zealand team behind me. This gave us the shock we badly needed. Heads down. Ignoring our screaming legs, we went as fast as we could. It worked. We arrived at the hotel and met Nick. We were not last. Both of us fell off the bikes. I was cold to my core and had pins and needles in my face. This was it. Another heart breaking moment as we said good bye to Sean and 'Fish'. We had worked together so much.
We were gathered together and told that the first team to have arrived was given the opportunity to sleep in the hotel while the other teams must board a boat and pitch a tent on a secluded island! A twist was added - the winning team was given the opportunity to select a team that would share the luxuries of sleeping in a hotel bed for the night, spa and dinner included - Lady Luck was back on our side! We will be forever in your debt Canada!
After hours of stretching, eating and sleeping and in the early hours of the morning day 3 began. We boarded a boat and collected the other teams from the island. The other teams said they slept well that night... I would have said that too if I was them. The next ChasePoint was a trivia quiz. This time sudden death raised its ugly head. Team Ireland vs. Team Spain. A guess at the highest person in Salta being San Bernardo brought us into the final 4. All teams were then instructed to jump off the boat and swim back to the hotel - about 500m. Unfortunately Ciaran ability to swim is, shall I say, lacking. I jumped in the water and began swimming towards the shore. Ciaran jumped into the water. After 5 seconds I heard gargled screams. Suddenly I couldn't see Ciaran. I yelled for boats. Just as city chase was turning into Ciaran chase. I saw a head in the water. Ciaran was dragged into a boat and I swam towards the shore. It mattered little but we did not finish the challenge. We would be disqualified. As I sat on the shore chatting to Nick, thankful that Ciaran was safe - I got the feeling our journey might not be over...
The producers had stepped in and allowed to go on - but only with a huge time penalty. The challenge - 1 bike, 1 runner, 25km. Our run/cycle began. Through the rest of that challenge we laughed. And as we arrived at the next ChasePoint we were told it was our last. Although tired, sunburnt, dehydrated, hungry, we were content. Until we saw the remaining teams zip-line over our heads!!!
