The start of the 2011 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race proved tough but spectacular as extreme winds blew competitors over on the opening bike section, whipped up the water in Rio Gray but helped to blow away the clouds and clear the Torres massif to create a picture postcard day in Torres del Paine National Park.

The teams soon spread apart along the 60km route as the leaders raced methodically, drafting to protect themselves from the wind. Others struggled and were forced to dismount and walk while some were so blown away by the spectacular scenery that they took the time to stop and take a few personal snaps on the way.

By three-quarters distance of this short but challenging section, which ran between Hotel Las Torres and the Hotel Lago Gray, just seconds separated early leaders GearJunkie.com, of the USA, and Danish team Roadrunners Adventure. In third place was US/UK team Perdido en el Turbal, French squad Vaucluse Adventure Evasions was fourth and reigning champions adidasTERREX fifth after suffering early problems.

Race Director Stjepan Pavicic said: “The wind was much faster than we had expected and it caused some problems for the teams. Of the leaders, adidasTERREX had some issues with their gears, possibly due to the vibrations on the tracks they were riding, and the last 50 km they had to just pedal very fast!”

GearJunkie.com racer Jason Magness was missing his own bike after it went to Las Vegas in transit before the race and he was forced to borrow and fit to an alternative one procured in Punta Arenas. It seemed little problem, however, for the American and the team worked in perfect harmony to take the early lead.

As the teams pressed on, they were unaware that the winds were whipping fast across the massive lake beneath Glacier Gray, where they were to begin the next kayaking section. Rough waves on the fast-flowing river forced the organization to consider whether to go ahead with the kayak section.

“The wind is coming off the glacier and when it hits the current of the river, that is a bad combination,” said Pavicic. “We have decided to delay the kayak start for the midday winds to die down, with all the teams having their times stopped as soon as they arrive in the first checkpoint until we set off again.”’