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Press release at 14h in Ouarzazate
Provisory
general rankings
Men
1. Lahcen Ahansal (1, Maroc) 17H14’01
2. Salameh Al Aqra (D164, Jordanie) à 34m44
3. Abderrahmane Maliki (12 Maroc) à 1h10m06
4. AHANSAL Mohamad (D2, Maroc) à 1H27'44"
5. AKHDAR Lhoucine (D369, Maroc) à 1H41'32"
Women
1 COURDESSES Geraldine D153 France
26H33'23"
2 DI VITO Lorena 728 Italie 27H34'24"
3 BERTOLINO Alessia 714 Italie 28H17'47"
4 DIDI Touda D3 Maroc 28H47'01"
Teams
1 COMANAV 1 (1,2,3,745) 21H54'36"
2 TEAM LORANS SALOMON (D184,185,186)
22H00'33"
3 LEGENDRE BRETAGNE 1 (351,352,353,354)
22H28'47"
4 COMANAV 2 (18,19,20) 22H47'28"
5 PROLIFER (368,369,370,371,372) 25H13'55"
MDS
lives up to its reputation : the most
difficult race in the world
During
the press conference with journalists
from al over the world and the champion
of this edition Lahcen Ahansal, director
Patrick Bauer looked back on this great
but very difficult edition. With 731
at the start, from 32 countries, 585
finished the race i.e. 146 pulled out.
Bauer explained that this unusually
high level was due largely to extreme
weather conditions as from day one:
high temperatures (up to 42°C),
sandstorms and very high hygrometry
levels (up to 35%). « Nature
took over. YOU realise how small you
are compared to the elements. IN these
conditions what counts is having good
mental and physical preparation. We
saw that some competitors weren’t
as well prepared as other years. The
majority however did manage their course
well and I take my hat off to them.”
According to the director of the Doc
Trotter medical team, a record number
of IVs were administered (62). The
high hygrometry level was the most
unexpected aspect of the race from
a medical point of view (more than
20% higher than usual): “regulating
the hydration level in your body – whether
voluntary or involuntary- is more difficult
when the hygrometry level is high.
You therefore have to adapt your water
intake accordingly – take in
small amounts more regularly and more
salt – 5g per day. That’s
when experience really comes into play… Running
is a skill.»
The organisation had to deal with a
case of severe hyperthermia, a first
on MDS. Thanks to good rapid reactivity,
despite difficult weather conditions,
the competitor was repatriated within
time to a hospital in Bordeaux. According
to Patrick Bauer “my greatest
sense of satisfaction at the end of
this edition is to know that the competitor
came through and has no permanent damage.”
A difficult year too for the champion
Lahcen Ahansal, who’s secured
his 9th MDS victory, despite tough
competition: « It was harder
than usual.. difficult weather conditions …and
real competition with Salameh Al Aqra,
Maliki Abderrahmane,… Samuel
Bonaudo ….I never knew who was
behind me and how far behind… it
changed every day. But I was ready,
my experience came into play… »
ON the side of the sponsors, it was
announced during the conference that
the world motor company Kia Motors
were were renewing their sponsorship
for 3 years. They join MDS’ other
sponsors including New Balance – 4th
biggest sport equipment firm in the
world. |
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Results 6 are available
(last update 15/04/06 - 22h50
french time)
number of dropping out (stage 6) : 0 |
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June 2005 : opening date for application.
31 july 2005 : application deadline.
28 february 2006 : closing date for fees.
07 april 2006 : departure* France/Morocco, transfer to first bivouac.
08 april 2006 : technical and administrative checks,
acclimatisation day.
09 - 15 april 2006 : the event.
16 april 2006 : transfer, dinner and night at hotel, relaxation,
lunch (at participants’expense), awards, entertainment,
dinner, night at hotel.
18 april 2006 : return* to France.
* those not taking the charter flight to and from France are required to book
their own flight arrangements. Contact your country representative for further
details.
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