NEWS 50 teams, 18 nations and 426 kilometers. Today begins the challenging multisport contest Abu Dhabi Adventure in Dubai. Four alumni from Umeå University are present to represent Sweden.
Imagine to run, paddle and swim 22 kilometers, then bike 29 kilometers, and lastly run over sex kilometers up a 900 meter high mountain. In 30 plus Celcius. That's what four brave alumni from Umeå University can look forward to during the first stage of the elite contest Abu Dhabi Adventure.
The four members from the Swedish Team Silvia Gerber Adventure who participate in the contest, consist of Björn Rydvall, technical biologist, Robert Lindberg, teacher, Mattias Nyström, technical physician, and Martina Höök, sports pedagogue. The team has prepared itself weeks before the contest by paddling canoe in 14 minus Celcius. Now pressuring heat and punishing physical challenges await the Swedish elite team in Dubai.
– The first two days will follow a fast pace! After that there are two tough days in the desert, followed by 160 kilometers of kayak paddling back to Abu Dhabi, the team writes on its blog.
The contest is held yearly in Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven Arab Emirates, and stretches over six days, from the 10th of December to the 16th of December. The challenges include swimming, orienteering, running, mountainbiking, paddling and climbing. The victorious team wins a prize of $40,000.
Editor: Alexander Rehnborg