British Team Helly Hansen - Prunesco Crowned Winners In "Adventure at the End Of the World"
British Team Helly Hansen - Prunesco Crowned Winners In 'Adventure at the End Of the World'
After a six-day battle including daily rain, ferocious winds and even hail, British team Helly Hansen-Prunesco crossed the finish line at Cape Froward on February 16, 22:36, winning the seventh annual Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.
Starting strong in the glacier-filled opening kayak stretch and never looking back, the team moved methodically through the previously unexplored 590 kilometre route in the toughest weather conditions the event has ever seen, winning immeasurable pride and respect. 
Last year's winners French team Easy Implant arrived 19 hours later and was followed by team Spirit Canada and American team Calleva.
The remaining six teams, all setting out on 10 February 2009, were unable to conquer the challenging traverse between the Southern Continental Ice Field and the end of the Continental Americas. This year's route in included fjords, glaciers, mountain roads, bog lands, thick forests and open seas, straights and bays.
Extreme fatigue, threat of hypothermia, injury and psychological weakness were all cited as reasons for dropping out of the race. Their journey includes mountain biking, trekking, rope work, kayaking and orienteering.
The mission of the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is to promote and preserve the pristine region of Chilean Patagonia by awakening the world to its raw beauty and ecological significance. The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is a not-for-profit event practicing "Leave No Trace" principles. All funds raised beyond the operating budget are directed to the sustainable development of the southern Patagonia region.
Organized by Nomadas Outdoor Services, the race is supported by the Chilean Olympic Committee. It is the world's only adventure race recognized by a national Olympic Committee.
is the last truly wild adventure race and reaching the finish line is a testament to the human spirit. Not only do racers walk away with boundless pride, they help us raise awareness for this stunning and vital region. This awareness is the pillar that will allow us to preserve it for generations to come. We offer our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of the competitors and our title sponsor, Wenger, for making it all possible."
ENDS
For further media information and high resolution images, please contact:
Philip Hale
PRISM
Tel: +44 20 7711 6872
email: phale@prismteam.com
For information on Wenger contact:
Dennis Piretra
Wenger
Tel: +1 845 365 3500
Email: dpiretra@wengerna.com
For 2010 race enquiries contact:
Ann Meidinger/Carlos Cortez
Nómadas Outdoor Services
Tel: +56 61 613 893
Email: info@nomadas.cl
About Wenger SA - title sponsor of Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race
Wenger was founded in 1893, in the Delémont, located in the famous Swiss Jura region. It has developed around a passion for innovation, precision and expert craftsmanship and is best known as the maker of the genuine Swiss Army knife. Today, the company produces approximately 250 styles of the famous pocket-knives, as well as butcher's and professional catering knives known the world over.
In 1997, Wenger Watch SA was founded in the hotbed for Swiss watches, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. In just 12 short years Wenger Swiss watches have developed a reputation for reliability, multi-functionality and performance.
Within the last eight years, Wenger established relationships with a small number of industry leaders who began manufacturing Wenger-branded products that embody the characteristics of the world famous Swiss Army knife in the footwear, tent, backpack, sleeping bag, computer mobility and travel gear categories
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