Torrential rain, brisk winds, soggy fog, and bone-chilling conditions pushed racers to their limits in the 200- and 400-mile events on July 8. Tiekel River Lodge owner Ryan Zimny, hosting our Aid Station at 145 miles, stripped wet clothes off people, gave racers dry clothes and blankets, hot food, and calories, and then dried their cycling clothes in his dryer.
Despite perverse conditions in the 400, Jeff Oatley from Fairbanks, Alaska, demolished Reed Finfrock's course record to win in 19:57. Oatley at 243 miles into the event had a flat back, aero position, still upper body, perfect circle spinning, and looked like he had just changed out in a relay for a 10-mile sprint. His stocky body and tree-trunk thighs were well suited to the aquatic conditions. Race Director and RAAM solo finisher Peter Lekisch said, "Jeff thrived on the adverse conditions. The rain motivated him. He visualized a difficult European race and made the race his own 'hell of the north.'"
