It was a hot Thursday in Velenje where 14 teams are preparing to take part in Adventure race Slovenia 2007. Last day before the start of 5th edition of probably the most extreme competition on the sunny side of the Alps featured really hot weather as temperatures dropped to under 30 degrees Celsius (86 °F) only shortly after 6 p.m. in the afternoon. And there is also a lot of »hot stuff« in the air before today's race start.



It was just another ordinary day for most of people. But a group of enthusiasts gathered once again just next to Velenje lake in search of another great adventure experience. Teams from Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, France, Croatia, Sweden and Slovenia will take part in this year's race. It was a busy day in the office for adventure racers today as several activities took place in Velenje. Equipment check-out, opening ceremony, late lunch in a local hotel and team meetings were on the menu. It seemed like everybody got their share of a cake and went to sleep sound and peacefully. But after a hot Thursday there comes even hotter Friday.

Race »kicks-off« at exactly 10 a.m. CET with altogether 56 adventure racers taking part this year. It is hard to pick a team that has an edge over the others. The only certain thing is that the team crowned winners will be the fifth different team with that honours at Adventure race Slovenia. Will it be the French team Les Arcs - Quechua which took part in Adventure raid world series a couple years ago? Will the honours go to Poland once again? Will the Czech teams finally reach the highest step? Or will it be first time joy for a Slovenian team? The race is perhaps the most opened in Advenure race Slovenia history.

Weather should have an influence on the outcome of the race as temperatures are reported to stay high for at least another 24 hours. That's certainly an important issue as competitors are going on a 370 kilometre trip.

You will be able to follow the race live on the events official website (www.adventurerace.si) and we will also be publishing daily reports here on SleepMonsters.

The race is about to start and it's the perfect time to ask you "Can you do it? Are you sure?" Come and try!

Text: Tomaz Hudomalj