Emergency outdoor overnight in the Videlske Sedlo Pass was another selecting test in the Winter Survival 2010 extreme competition held in these days in the Hruby Jesenik Mountains. None of the teams suffered major harm. Strong wind in the evening and temperature slightly below zero at early morning hours were the only bits of trouble for athletes’ tired bodies in the sleeping bags covered with isofoils or tent canvas sections.
Additional twenty centimetres of snow fell down but the first morning hours of the third day of the championship already revealed nature had come to senses and all would be better, at least for several hours. The sun showed up shining its rays to warm the athletes. Some of them were clearly worn by the previous day march with their feet framed with painful calluses.
The winter survivors were to move from one checkpoint to another to accomplish special tasks designed so that they had to prove how much they had trained the skills. For example, they were to administer first aid to several mates injured in a grenade explosion suffering three various injuries, namely chest injury with open pneumothorax, lower limb devastating injuries and face scratches, and eventually burnt face and hands of second and third degrees. The fake victims were arranged by the personnel of Czech Red Cross organisation who made up very plausible models with a very strong effect on athletes' psyche.
Another task required accelerated movement from Videlske Sedlo Pass to Svycarna chalet. "That movement and the climbing really got us all. It is my forth time in Survival this year but it has never been so hard. The events have been very difficult and weather harsh," said staff sergeant Milan Menzel for Tyniste nad Orlice ammunition base team.
The University of Defence Physical Training and Sports Centre personnel spiced Wednesday stage finish with the event called fixed point. The athletes were tasked to establish a fixed point in the snow on the slope below Ovcarna pod Pradedem Hotel and hoist a 70-kilo burden up the slope using that point and a rope pulley.
VIDEO:
Day 3, 10 MB, 03:16
In the entire period of the two days, the teams for 73 tank battalion, Tyniste ammunition base and University of Defence I were showing the best performance.
Winter Survival 2010 ranking after two stages: University of Defence I leads followed by 73 tank battalion team and the team for Tyniste's ammunition base.
Text: Pavel Pazdera, WS 2010 press officer
Photo: Jiří Pařízek and Svatopluk Kouřil