I’m writing from a hostel that faces the Bay of Beagle in Puerto Williams, Chile. I just had a breakfast of cheese and avacado on handmade bread with a side of yogurt. At my table, the members of Team Gear Junkie were enjoying their first real breakfast since completing the race. They all have swollen hands, feet or legs, but are in good spirits and happy with a 4th place finish!
Last night there was a meeting of all the teams that had finished so far (only Japan was still racing). The meeting was to discuss who, if anyone should receive time credits for unforseeable issues that occurred during the race. Some teams had arrived at checkpoints that were not manned, others had not received detailed maps for certain sections. Each team had a small gripe or two, but in the end, race director, Stjepan decided that this is Patagonia and problems arise — each team must just deal with them. So, the order of the race is as follows:
1st place: Team Helly-Hanson (Great Britain)
2nd place: Team Spain
3rd place: Teams Germany and Switzerland (tie)
4th place: Team Gear Junkie (US)
5th place: Team New England (Canada)
With all other teams having been disqualified or just dropping out, it appears that when Team Japan finishes, they will scoop up 7th place. Everyone here is rooting for them, since more than any other team here, they have had more obstacles to overcome in order to compete here. The language barrier and travel dificulties have been huge hurdles.
So, once they finish, we will all board a large ship here in Puerto Williams and depart for Punta Arenas, where we will conduct closing ceremonies (Party!) and then make our ways back to wherever we call home.
