Patagonian Winds Pick Up
90km Paddle Plus Portages
Bariloche, Argentina — Dec. 1, 1999

	Kayak Start

Hear Competitor Emily Johnston after the portage
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It's the first afternoon of the race and teams are making their way down the 90km paddle course back towards the town of San Carlos de Bariloche.

Thrown in for good measure are two portage points. Why we ask? Instructions from the competitor manual...

"You must not kayak on the 'Rio Correntoso' due to environmental concerns of the fish habitat. At this point you MUST remove your kayaks from the water. You must carry your kayaks onto an active dirt road on the left of the river."

"As the day has progressed the infamous Patagonian winds have transformed the millpond of the lake this morning to a much more sinister scenario..."

The second portage saw competitors lugging their kayaks 400m through the main street of a small lakeside town, the streets and pier crowded with locals screaming support, deafening as Team Condor of Argentina approached.

As the day has progressed the infamous Patagonian winds have transformed the millpond of the lake this morning to a much more sinister scenario. As a safety measure teams are not permitted to travel more than 400m from the shoreline.

Many teams fully equipped to take advantage of the winds have prepared sails hoping for an easier ride into PC3, the start of the horse trekking leg.

— Chris Vile, MountainZone.com Correspondent