Stage 9. We continue the movement.

Frost and sun. At night it was very cold, but there was absolutely clear sky in the morning and we for the first time saw the sun in Mauritania. Frankly speaking, there were thoughts already that there is no sun on a clear sky in January – there is only dust veil, or grey sky. The first control point was at the intersection of assistance route, but we didn't manage to see ours, by numbers of the approaching cars we understood that ours have already passed this CP.

Almaz Khisamiyev, mechanic of the crew 401: "Today since morning it was very windy, it seemed, that the cross wind stops the car. There was too much dust and it was everywhere. The car is very far ahead, and dust, here it is, right in front of you. Just before the finish dust began to blow off aside. Trucks went very close to each other today. Rise in one place was very sharp, the helicopter hovered directly in front of us, we saw video operator, the photographer. There were many greens, thorns today. Thorns very strong, can punch a wheel, not considerably, of course, but any way it is not good. Seines in dunes were very dangerous: flat from lee side, then suddenly vertical cliff. Tyagun – sandy roads - long, smooth, twisting. We did not damage wheels today though there were a lot of stony areas: stones, probably, of volcanic origin, sharp, rigid, rocks are black with sandy coat and we were directly in the middle of this greatness. We passed very beautiful places, huge smooth cobblestones which are going down steps, glaring on the sun. There are places, rare by their beauty!"

 Sergey Kupriyanov, pilot of the crew 404: "There was a very beautiful special stage. We drove on sandy beds which came out in a grand stony canyon, very beautifully. In general we passed this stage normally, one place was too narrow, when passing between big stones we didn't fit in and damaged a disk flange, but didn't punch a wheel and didn't change it. Then we passed dunes, and on descent from one of dunes the exit was rough: from the right side – flat area, and from the left - pit. We were stuck into this pit with the left side and broke the stabilizer, stopped because of that and lost on it 8-10 minutes. During this time Tomecek and Jasinto passed by us, but we finished the repair and again caught up with them. Physically we passed a finish line the first, but losses of time are evident. We think that result is good, rivals are strong, Jasinto was very fast before the finish, it was very difficult to overtake her, Tomecek orients perfectly and passes sand very successfully, only yesterday he wasn't lucky, but nobody is perfect .

 Our car is experimental, we listen to it, we analyze all characteristics, it is very important for us. We refuel two times every day: at first diesel fuel, which volume proceeds from special stage conditions, and then we fill gas on full. We fill less fuel, than Anton on thirty percent. In sand we constantly go on gas and it is difficult to us to compare, and the day before yesterday we drove on gas on the liaison, we immediately felt how the car accelerates faster because the turbine doesn't work on the liaison yet, speed is low and right from low speed it shoots. In general, I consider that the effect is quite good."

Sergey Savostin: "Crews passed the stage competently, following all prescriptions; the pace was rather high, without risking. The result of a stage is slightly lower than expected, but it is connected to breakdown of the stabilizer, crews stopped and, according to our tactics, repaired together, time was wasted by both crews, but much less, than would lose one crew. Further we also plan to hold to this tactics. We passed today a part of a stage without stabilizer, so we decided to go tomorrow also without it, this is well-reasoned decision. I don't see anything bad in it; Sergey still went with the stabilizer, got used to it, but these 100 kilometers which they passed without it, quite enough, to feel a difference and to resolve this issue consciously. As for the gas-diesel truck, it is possible to tell with confidence: gas-diesel engines are very good in civil life, and can be used in sports also, our experience confirms that fact."

Robert Amatych refused to take about a special stage today, and, taking an opportunity, says hello to the children: to son and daughter Alice. The others too would like to say hello to their children. Me too using official position I want to say hello to all our relatives and friends,  by a separate line - to Eugenia Bykova and Vladimir Egorov who always in touch and don't allow us to stay without information under any circumstances. Special thanks to the fans. Today at the bivouac for a long time there was no connection, the only site which was loaded, was a site of the team from which we learned all the information.

stage results

overall standings