December 31. Happy New Year!

31.12.2012
Bivouac Oued Draa.
For assistance it was very long day - it was about 700 km to the bivouac. The crew had to wait for us. Cargo assistance took to the road today in 2 hours before the start, and arrived to the bivouac quite late, about in three hours after the sports cars - the roads are narrow, worn-down, scarp, there are serpentines ... But we are very happy - the crew rose in 2 positions in the overall and brought to the nearest pursuer more than 17 minutes.

Dmitriy Sotnikov: "Before the start, it was clear that no one will hinder us. We had a mixed start and everyone kept pace slightly slower than the previous one. We felt that Elizabeth Jacinto was spoiling for the race, we were waiting that she would try to catch up with us, but we decided to let her catch up. When she will catch up - we'll see. We're driving well, quietly. We started like yesterday. We previously discussed the section. Calmed down, supported each other. We had a psychological moment in the sand box, during 22 km it was quite serious compared to yesterday’s one, but we managed to pass normally, we had no nervousness, we saw that there were jeeps digging, motorcyclists came our way. And after this sand box there was a confidence, and the pace was already high, and we drove faster. Maybe Anton even did not notice it. Wherever possible we were driving fast, where it was necessary to be slower we were careful. Everything was well-balanced and rather reliable. Probably we had blots, but we didn't lose time on this. It was a good day, working, mixed, interesting. The end was more tedious. But, in general, it was a fast day for such a distance.
There is not too much repair; we will change wheels to prevent surprises, mostly we will have planned work. We have enough power, there were no sleepless nights yet, and things are going really well. Without overwork yet. Everything is Ok and according to plan.
There was nothing surprising. Familiar places, but after America they are not unexpected. All impressions remained there, and today we were driving on the very similar section, we have already seen something. We don’t see any particularities. Tomorrow I will drive. I worry because when I take a detached view, Anton drives very well, and I think if I will be able to do the same. The excitement is coming. We'll see tomorrow, the day interesting, complicated, there are sand, stones. But we came here to have training, it is necessary to bestir ourselves good"
That's it. Let's hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

And as there is New Year, here's what we want to wish to fans.
Andrey Repin, Chief electrician, thanks to him we can work late into the night: "All the best: good fishing, a lot of mushrooms in the woods, cheerful friends and happiness in life!"

Stanislav Pogozhikh, Repair engineer, who knows exactly how the pilot properly manages machines: "Happiness and good luck!"

Vasiily Kvachev, just the most important one: "Happy New Year! Thank you that you are! Let the figure 2013 will be better than 2012. Good luck and earthly goods"

Oksana Zakharova, Chief of External Relations, who can settle all deadlock matters: "I want to wish everyone in the New Year new achievements, emotions and impressions. And I wish all to treat more kindly others surrounding you"

Evgeny Yakovlev, chief co-pilot and pluralistically chief expert on survival in extreme situations, "Let everybody choose the right course in the New Year!"

In fact, we are all important here and we wish to everybody health, happiness and good luck.

We take short views; we see every new stage as the main one. We carefully prepare for it and we think that the main challenges are still ahead, but we will welcome the New Year with a light heart. Happy New Year!

Svetlana Klimova