Copiapo was the scene of the Miners tragedy last year and while we were able to see Fenix 3 (a replica of the capsule), sadly the mine itself was 50kms away…while the rider and bikers went close, it wasn’t going to be something I saw.
Its been rather uneventful the last couple of days. We moved from Antafagasta where I went out with the team from Versus in town and ate steak and scallops (amazing!) to Copiapo which once again felt very ‘Dakar’ Surrounded by massive dunes and set in a bowl the stage would end right on the TV compound doorstep. This was a rare opportunity to go and see some cars in the stage!
Having finished my feed (with just 3 cars over the line) I headed up passed the finish and beyond the ‘Safe area’ While these safe areas are good, you don’t get ANYWHERE near enough, and out in the sand there are no rules. Chilian kids played chicken with trucks while some of the later cars bounced through the dunes toward the parked cars that I was using as sheilds.
What struck me was just how amateur most competitors are. The TV coverage’s focus’ on the top 10 mainly and most of those are Pros in the bikes, but there really are only 4 pros in the cars. And in the stage it shows. Yeah ok its never going to be easy but most were really chilling out behind the wheel.
The Sand was incredible! We have all walked on sandy beaches I am sure, but real sand dunes? The way it sits massively varies. Some can be like concrete where as the fesh fesh is like dust, just tonnes of dust. It does provide any grip to walk on let alone drive.
As I was climbing I notice one of the leading riders being towed by an amateur the bike of Villadoms a real mess….so I got my camera out and started filming! I then offered it to the editor who said it was good enough to use and so one day I was in the background and the next was a cameraman! The chief editor then out did me and filmed a full 30sec on his Panasonic which went into the next days programme!
Having taken loads of photos and totally warn myself out, I was presented with an invite to the ASS Party. This happens once a rally and is a bit like going night skiing! We plodded back up the hill at 8 to be presented by Pisco (a great Chilian drink), Empenadas (think Pasties) and some top quality steak. The idea is to welcome in the final few competitors who will have spent all day in the dunes. Its really just an excuse for a party! But a lot of the Dakar is about that, doing crazy things with your mates!
Because the rally stayed in Copiapo for the following day it meant a lie in (till 8:30 when the generators wirr into life) and have a slightly lazy morning.
The cars stage was short and that meant the Edit and voice over was well planned…I actually could face watching it as they played the programme to the Bivouac. Still I wasn’t totally happy, but it was certainly an improvement.
Having walked up the dunes to ‘cheer down the sun!’ I had an early night ready to head back to Argentina
Chilecito or little Chile is right on the boarder and was going to be the site of my 4th shower…never good to rely on the facilities after a second day in Copiapo…..But the when I arrived there was just 4 shower heads lined up with no curtains and an assortment of French genitalia enjoy the cold water. Call me pathetic but I would rather not…especially when its your boss! Behind the shower was a swimming pool so I thought I would give that a shot. It was super hot now we are back in Argentina…really really unpleasant, so the pool was great to cool off. I made a major error by not cutting my hair and its starting to turn to straw.
On my way back to the tent I stood on a thorne, 5-6cms long it went through my flipflop and into the heel of my foot, right in. Normally it doesn’t hurt when I damage that bit of the foot because the skin is solid but not this morning…. Having janked out the thorne and thrown it away (having been told it was to stop monkeys attacking the trees) I had to get to work. That also proved tricky! The edit truck had filled with sand on the trip across the Andes and every computer was covered. It took a good hour to clean up and even when the machines were fired into life some still overheated, others smelt horrible. It was worrying that the server that holds ALL the footage may fail at any moment.
Thankfully we seem to have survived. I took a trip to the Medical centre where they spent an hour digging the rest of the thorne out my foot, and plenty of dirt. I am bandaged up and hopfully the feeling will return soon, am just hobbling about pathetically at them moment!
Very excited to nearly have finished the adventure….I am told everyone goes a bit mad tomorrow, so will report back if that is the case….Till then….
Over the rally I will be blogging on this site and on my new website www.benconstanduros.com where I will give you an in depth look into the workings of the rally and also keep up to date on the race itself at Dakar.com, I am at twitter to @Benconsty
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