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The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is organized by Nomadas Outdoor Services and is supported by the Chilean Olympic Committee. It is the only adventure race in the world recognized by a national Olympic Committee.
The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is a true expedition, taking teams of four through lands previously unknown to the human eye. Racers receive minimal assistance as they traverse through the pristine southern Patagonia by means of trekking, climbing and related rope work, kayaking, mountain biking, and backcountry navigation. They often cover hundreds of kilometres without seeing a soul.
The race is run annually both to provide a unique expedition adventure for participants and raise awareness of the need to protect the very environment it crosses; the remote wilderness of Southern Patagonia. All funds raised beyond the cost of organizing the event are directed to environmental protection projects in the region.
Stjepan Pavicic Race Director said:
Since 2002 we have focused on creating an event that not only presents a physical and mental challenge but also a message: we must preserve this remote and pristine region of Chilean Patagonia. Today with our title sponsor Wenger we are brining this message to the world.
Key information about the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race
Background to the event
Race Director and Geologist Stjepan Pavicic first had the idea of organizing a race through Chilean Patagonia in 1984. In 2002 he began
planning the first edition which took place in February 2004. In December 2008 Wenger maker of the genuine Swiss Army knife and precision outdoor equipment became the races first title sponsor.
Today’s Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is an action packed adventure race located in the southern-most region of the world. Each year 60
athletes in mixed teams of four compete in crossing the most rugged geographic and climatically diversified terrain ever known to expedition
racing.
Each edition means a different route through a geographically unique and spectacular area between southern latitudes 49 degree and 56 degree. This terrain is full of worldwide wonders such as the Southern Continental Ice Field the Torres del Paine National Park the Strait of Magellan Tierra del Fuego the Darwin Range the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn.
The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is an annual event run each year in February. It is supported by corporate sponsorship the Southern Patagonia Regions Board of Tourism and the Chilean Government.
Teams and competitors
A maximum of 15 mixed (at least one man and one woman) teams of four are allowed to enter each year. Race organisers Nomadas Outdoor Services believe this number maximizes the positive competitive spirit of the race while minimizing its ecological impact.
Teams are asked to pay an entry fee as a symbolic indication of their commitment to the competition. 100% of net proceeds from running the event
are directed to conservation projects in the Southern Patagonia area.
The 2009 event was won by British team Helly Hansen Prunesco.
The environment
The event's primary objective is to educate a worldwide audience about the need to preserve isolated and virgin territories. It raises public
interest in nature and supports the development of sustainable tourism which is vital to achieve protection of these areas and avoid the exploitation of natural resources by non-sustainable industrial activities.
The event is organized along the Leave No Trace principles (www.lnt.org) in minimizing its own impact on the terrain. Leave No Trace staff are
on-hand to address the racers at the pre-race briefing as well as monitoring environmentally correct behavior during the event assuring minimal ecological impact.
The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is a true expedition, taking teams of four through lands previously unknown to the human eye. Racers receive minimal assistance as they traverse through the pristine southern Patagonia by means of trekking, climbing and related rope work, kayaking, mountain biking, and backcountry navigation. They often cover hundreds of kilometres without seeing a soul.
The race is run annually both to provide a unique expedition adventure for participants and raise awareness of the need to protect the very environment it crosses; the remote wilderness of Southern Patagonia. All funds raised beyond the cost of organizing the event are directed to environmental protection projects in the region.
Stjepan Pavicic Race Director said:
Since 2002 we have focused on creating an event that not only presents a physical and mental challenge but also a message: we must preserve this remote and pristine region of Chilean Patagonia. Today with our title sponsor Wenger we are brining this message to the world.
Key information about the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race
Background to the event
Race Director and Geologist Stjepan Pavicic first had the idea of organizing a race through Chilean Patagonia in 1984. In 2002 he began
planning the first edition which took place in February 2004. In December 2008 Wenger maker of the genuine Swiss Army knife and precision outdoor equipment became the races first title sponsor.
Today’s Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is an action packed adventure race located in the southern-most region of the world. Each year 60
athletes in mixed teams of four compete in crossing the most rugged geographic and climatically diversified terrain ever known to expedition
racing.
Each edition means a different route through a geographically unique and spectacular area between southern latitudes 49 degree and 56 degree. This terrain is full of worldwide wonders such as the Southern Continental Ice Field the Torres del Paine National Park the Strait of Magellan Tierra del Fuego the Darwin Range the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn.
The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is an annual event run each year in February. It is supported by corporate sponsorship the Southern Patagonia Regions Board of Tourism and the Chilean Government.
Teams and competitors
A maximum of 15 mixed (at least one man and one woman) teams of four are allowed to enter each year. Race organisers Nomadas Outdoor Services believe this number maximizes the positive competitive spirit of the race while minimizing its ecological impact.
Teams are asked to pay an entry fee as a symbolic indication of their commitment to the competition. 100% of net proceeds from running the event
are directed to conservation projects in the Southern Patagonia area.
The 2009 event was won by British team Helly Hansen Prunesco.
The environment
The event's primary objective is to educate a worldwide audience about the need to preserve isolated and virgin territories. It raises public
interest in nature and supports the development of sustainable tourism which is vital to achieve protection of these areas and avoid the exploitation of natural resources by non-sustainable industrial activities.
The event is organized along the Leave No Trace principles (www.lnt.org) in minimizing its own impact on the terrain. Leave No Trace staff are
on-hand to address the racers at the pre-race briefing as well as monitoring environmentally correct behavior during the event assuring minimal ecological impact.
