World T.E.A.M. Sports 2017 Annual Review 2017 World T.E.A.M. Annual Review | Page 22

Inspired by adventure
competitions that test
outdoor skills and stamina
in remote and often dangerous
environments, the Challenge
is unique in that adaptive
and able-bodied athletes must
work together to succeed.
ABOVE:
Adventure Team
Challenge athletes
raft the Colorado River
through a segment
of Gore Canyon not far
from Radium.
20
HIGH ON A CHILLY, windswept
Colorado ridge, a team of athletes
prepare their gear for their first
full day of competition at the
Adventure Team Challenge.
Underneath the World T.E.A.M.
archway, they ready their bikes
and packs as they wait for the
countdown to their staged start.
With the sun shyly peeking out
from departing overnight clouds,
the Colorado River more than a
thousand feet below looks like
a glimmering ribbon, rather than
a mighty river plunging through
Gore Canyon.
Each team at the Challenge
includes five athletes, two
being adaptive. One athlete
is a wheelchair user, so teams
thoughtfully strategize and
practice the most efficient and
practical ways to travel through
the remote terrain. In the hours
to come, team members will ride
bikes and handcycles, climb rocky,
steep trails through sweat and
determination, determine routes
to checkpoints with maps and
a compass, scale sheer granite
outcroppings on ropes and raft
through churning rapids in the
Colorado River to reach base
camp. And that is just the first day.
Inspired by adventure competitions
that test outdoor skills and stamina
in remote and often dangerous
environments, the Challenge
is unique in that adaptive and
able-bodied athletes must work
together to succeed. Since all
athletes are required to complete
every stage, teams use innovation
and technology to create ways
WORLD T.E.A.M. SPORTS ANNUAL REVIEW 2017