Crank Addicts Tokyo RAAM Update

The individual RAAM is wrapping up.  Favorite and 3-time champion Austrian Christoph Strasser DNF'ed with unstated ailments relatively early on, but his friend and compatriot Severin Zotter took up the slack, completing the solo trip from San Diego CA to Annapolis, MD in 8 days, 8 hours and 17 minutes.  U.S. entry David Haase placed second, around 12 hours back.

Crank Addicts Tokyo progress

As for the teams, Crank Addicts Tokyo are hanging in there in 4th place (out of 8) in the 4-person age under 50 division.  They slipped briefly into 5th, but over the last 12 hours have opened up a decent gap, ahead of their Brazilian rivals.  Indeed, they are now almost as close to the CEF Team Australia Shiv ahead of them as to RS1 Brazilian team behind.  If they can keep this up ... and CEF/Shiv slips up in any way, they might find themselves on the podium.  At least there is still a chance ... so they cannot let up!  Just another day and a bit more left!

The RAAM website has all kinds of information, and the Facebook Page has videos as well.

Sadly, one solo rider, Anders Tesgaard, who had completed almost 2600 miles and had been in 3rd place half way through the race even, was struck from behind by a vehicle while on a climb in West Virginia, airlifted to a hospital and is listed in critical condition.  Solo RAAM is, indeed, a dangerous event.  As dangerous as climbing Mt. Everest?  Well, no.  But dangerous, still.

-------------------------------------

UPDATE:  The Crank Addicts Tokyo finished in fourth place out of nine in their category.  Congratulations on a great long ride!