Day # 4: - 56 degrees Celsius = Frostbite

Today we started the day out with a drive out to Braeburn lodge, infamous for their oversize cinnamon buns and dog food drive through.  Across from the lodge was an airstrip. I am going to assume that the airstrip does not get used very often as it was covered in snow and that was where our ski - joring event was to take place.

After a quick briefing from Hans-Joachim Stuck, I realized that the former professional F1 race car driver most certainly had an affinity to speed. The event required one team member to drive a 2012 Kia Sportage 800 meters down the runway with the other teammate holding a ski rope being towed behind. The towed competitor had to ski around a number of pylons on the outside of the runway, similar to a water ski slalom course. Once you went through the pylons, you then had to whip around at the end and drive straight back to the start line, skier in tow. His suggested driving speed for the way back was 60 km/h but really, you could go as fast as you felt comfortable. What's the worst thing that could happen...??

Hans-Joachim Stuck directing the vehicles

Hans-Joachim Stuck explaining the event

The men were to go first in this event so the girls would drive first, then switch.  Ryan put his protective gear on including spine pad, elbow pads and helmet. As I climbed into the driver’s seat i looked back, gave Ryan a wink and said "you better hold on!"  We had some points to catch up on!

driving up the runway proved more difficult than anticipated. I struggled getting a consistent speed and in the side mirror it looked like i was really jerking Ryan around. Finally getting to the pylon at the end, I whipped turned around and figured we had some major catching up to do.

I sped back to the finish line and kept looking back making sure Ryan was still in tow. 60, 70, 80, 85 km/h.... Ryan looked stable so i kept speeding up. When we got to the finish line the crew took one look at Ryan's face and yelled for him to get into a warm car. His balaclava had slipped down and he had about five spots of frostbite all over his face. I felt terrible.

We ended up getting 2nd as a team in the ski- joring event and Ryan was a real trooper. He figured the frostbite made him look hard-core. I felt a tiny bit of guilt every time i looked at his face, but that quickly subsided, we were in competition mode!

After lunch we had a 4 hour drive up to Dawson City. Picturesque and beautiful. Upon arrival we were to have a local Native Dinner before our Gold Rush run at 8pm that night. All the athletes picked away at plain rice not wanting to eat too much before the run and salivated over the chocolate desserts.

The run was postponed until 9 pm that evening due to "technical" difficulties. We weren't quite sure what that meant, but we assumed they were playing a sick joke on us and trying to make the upcoming event just that much harder.  The run was supposed to be a half marathon, but it was decided by the doctors to be shortened for medical reasons. I have never been so happy to hear that it was - 56 outside! A short run!

Fulda Challenge Medic / Fireman

The run was one of the harder things we did. At -56 you need to keep your face protected (especially Ryan) so you are met with the challenge of your goggles fogging and freezing and your balaclava covering up with ice to the point that you couldn't breathe. You dig deep and decide if being able to breath and see are really all that important when trying to win a race. Ryan and I started strong until we saw Alex Lang (3 times Ironman Champion) disappeared into the night. Our iPods died shortly after from the cold and so we were left with only the sound of our hyperventilating breath.

Ryan came in fifth for the men and i came in 3rd for the woman. When they tried to interview me at the end i realized i could barely make a sentence as my lips had frozen. Glad we were able to tick that one off the list!!

We tucked into bed to try and get some sleep as the next day promises 3 big events.

Half way there!!!

Chantal and Ryan