From March 13 to 23, in the exotic setting of Sri Lanka, this athlete born resident of Corneilla-del-Vercol, will face with her partner Lydie, from the Southern Alps, 8 days of events such as trail running, mountain biking, canoeing , bike and run and archery, i.e. 98.5 km to cover.
Nothing seems to frighten her because she confides “love the adrenaline rush“when she launches”in sporting challenges”. It must be admitted that sport is part of the DNA of Karine Henrich, in her early fifties, who prepares and sometimes transports boats to a large shipyard in Barcarès. “As a child, this is how I managed to channel my energy”, recognizes this assiduous practitioner of running, mountain hiking, swimming and mountain biking. Curious about “to tread unknown lands“, she said to herself “always ready to take up a sporting challenge”. Most “more for fun than winning at all costs.”
By participating in the week (from this Sunday March 13 to March 23) of the 20e edition of the Raid of the Amazons created in 2000 by Alexandre Debanne, Karine Henrich risks being served. In all, 450 adventurers of her caliber, spread over the two sessions (the second will take place from March 27 to April 6) and from all over France, will test their physical abilities and endurance in the enchanting setting but in the warm climate. and humid Sri Lanka, a new setting for this 100% female competition.
“We have not finished drooling”
Eight days of trials await them. “Between the trail over 14.1 km, the mountain bike course over 38.5 km, another trail circuit over 9 km, canoe-kayak over 17 km in single paddle, bike and run over 19.9 km, and finally archery on an 80 cm target placed 10 m away, we have not finished drooling “, recognizes Karine. “We will be in duo or trio. For my part, I will form a pair with Lydie, 59, and already three participations to her credit, whom I only know virtually since she lives in the southern Alps”, specifies the only Catalan registered this year in the Raid des Amazones . On site, complete material and equipment will be distributed to the competitors. “You will simply have to bring personal effects, a pharmacy kit, a few energy bars. Every evening we will stay at the hotel”,
she says again. Beyond the purely sporting aspect, discovery, change of scenery, sharing, conviviality, self-transcendence and respect for the environment are part of Karine’s motivations. “It will inevitably be an extraordinary trip, and even if our partner arrives dead last, it will remain, I am sure, a very enriching experience”,
Amount of registration fees for each participant: 4,000 euros, not including plane tickets.
