The Moroccan part of rally marathon "Africa Eco Race" came to the end. It was marked by long passages, late and cold nights and the growing speeds. The cold forced to wake before 6 or 6:30 am and start usual morning affairs. Bivouacs of this year are very similar to those we saw two years ago: the same tents of catering zone, the same gathering of motorcyclists, there are a lot of familiar people, and the same friendly atmosphere. This year in a race caravan there are two jeeps with the Russian journalists, they finish work late and leave first in search of plots. The shooting team "Russia 24" said that they can sleep only in the car at liaison and if at the beginning they slept only for 10-15 minutes, but now they only look round and sleep again, and they spent the night for installation, passages. It is very difficult for them – it is necessary to be in time everywhere, not to miss anything, to find everybody, to ask everything, at the same time not to violate the rules, generally, guys have their one race.
Yesterday we went to bed with hope to have warm morning and solar day. Experience of previous days didn't allow to relax and hopes were, rather, from the category of a "dream" but not expectations.
The rest working day began at 8 am, nothing unusual. List of works is usual - 54 points. Mikhail Myasoedov said that after five stages air filters are in good condition, and this is understandable, because ours are ahead, cars does not swallow the dust. From time to time shooting teams are coming to us - they have a hot day today – interview, shooting, and again interview.
In the morning there was an incident that caused the confusion - we were called to the sports commissioners concerning a claim from motorcyclists. My first thought was that this can’t be, the team treats motorcyclists cautiously and carefully, but waited for Oksana and Vadim with some fear, we never know what can be. The result was predictable. The claim did not contain any facts of dangerous behavior, or the number of crew. Commissioners said that there are no facts for trials and they know the reputation of the team will not allow crews to behave rudely towards motorcyclists, but could not prevent us, everything is all right.
Bivouac is located directly on the beach, waves, turquoise water, the locals walking along the shoreline. And the weather is warm. Finally warm! There were brave men who have taken ocean baths.
Lunch - an important part of rest day, this time it was made by Kupriyanov's brothers, it turned out very tasty stewed potato with meat. On the race it becomes very quickly clear why the team, regardless of lots of work, prepares to eat itself. Daily it is only one full meal and you want to make it the best one. Evening team’s meal is a feast for the stomach. For dinner unanimously we ordered pasta.
Generally, it is important to pay attention not only to the target, but also on what happens on the way to it. Even if you are happy, reaching the goal, on the way to it you can also endure a lot of positive moments, moments of happy inspiration, pleasure, you shouldn't miss them. Our guys know it as nobody else. They know how to find pleasure in the simple, ordinary things, know laugh and be serious, able to work tirelessly, are able to care about each other, to see where you need help. Rest day is so clear and warm, too much work, there is still more than half of the race, a lot of things happen every day and requires courage sometimes, but more often simply patience and understanding.
Vadim Pritulyak, who tells bright stories, Nastya Nifontova who causes respect firmly moving toward the goal, Anton Grigorov, never forgetting to praise his navigator Maris Saukans and Assistance, come visit the team.
And, of course, the main event of today was the start of "Dakar" in South America. Everyone at the bivouac is waiting for the information which is delivered from control center in Naberezhnye Chelny by our colleague Eugenia Bykova, who from the start to the finish of the race lives by the race time, 24 hours a day.
We are worry about our guys and wish them good luck.
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