POLYATHLON 2010
EPFL-Trient (switzerland)

Waiting for a status?

Team passed the first 24 hours challenge...

Landed in Geneva Wednesday 5.45 pm... bikes were waiting in the airport! Everyone got on bike, luggage in the truck, and off we go... tour of Geneva, then 60 km biking to Lausane. Arrived are René Bugnion’s house at 11 pm... quick diner, Beatrice’s delicious salad and pasta, then bed. 3 am, René was waking everyone up... Obviously no time for grasse matinée!  With our eyes closed, get the mountain material up, get dressed, on the road again to... Jung Frau Glacier. Rackettes, Ski de rando... till 3 pm. Then back home. Was a big snoring orchestra last night, well synchronized.

This morning, up for breakfast and quick email...The Polyathlon starts 1 am tonight, Polyathletes will be biking 125 km, hicking the Jungfrau again, but to spend the night up on the mountain this time. The gang will be snoring at 3500 m altitude, wish me luck!

Great organization, logistics, discipline, and especially amazing Swiss hospitality. Fascinating and inspiring Swiss culture! So close to us, with so much to learn from!

Carole al Sharabati - Lebanese Polyathlete

The second round started Saturday at 1 am with René’s whistle blow... 8 km biking to EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne) for the take off...

About 125 km biking, passing by wonderful landscapes, rivers, lakes, farms, watching the sunrise over the lovely Swiss countryside. Quick stops, castle view in Chillon, jacuzzi in Saillon, every new departure starting with the Swiss magic word: “Yalla!!!”

We finally ended up in Praz-de-Fort, at the barn, with 20 generous minutes to change, pack and take off towards the Trient mountain... “Yalla!”

4 hours hiking, rain and snow, avalanche from here, energy bar from there, to reach  the warm and welcoming Cabane d’Orny... Soup, parmesan, tout passe!!! 5-star sleeping time! You barely close your eyes and hear... “Yalla!”

Morning again? Damn, the Swiss sun rises too fast... Back down from the summit to the barn, never been so happy to see the sheep and roll in the hay stacks... Vive le Polyathlon!

Courage, motivation, do-what-it takes, humbleness and relentlessness... all these values were up in the air, alive, with a touch of passion and team spirit. What a great reinforcement of CME’s spirit!

Carole al Sharabati - Lebanese Polyathlete