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RACE ACROSS AMERICA
Chris MacDonald used the Arctic Heat Cooling Vests
to stay cool as he rode Coast to Coast to finish 2nd in the Race
Across America.
“There is no doubt that keeping the body temperature low
and healthy using the Arctic Heat cooling vest, will be
what makes the difference through the desert, and
ultimately in the race.” said Chris MacDonald.
The Race Across America, the world’s
longest ultra-marathon cycling event, tests the limits of human
endurance and potentiality. Rated the ‘World’s Toughest Race’
by Outside magazine, this grueling 3052-mile (4912 km)
transcontinental journey through the heartland of America takes
place over a period of nine days, pushing athletes to their
mental and physical limits. Riders endure combined climbs
totaling 110,000 feet (33,538 m)—nearly four times the altitude
of Mt Everest—and punishing weather conditions that include 120
degree heat in the Sonoran desert, below freezing temperatures
in the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains, hail storms on the
plains, and headwinds that can reach 50 mph (80 kph), all for
the honor of being added to the prestigious roll of RAAM
finishers.
The
2005 Race across America (RAAM), the World’s longest
ultra-marathon cycling event begins this Sunday 19 June, an
event sometimes referred to as the “World’s Toughest Race” or
the “Tour de France – American style”
It is a 3049 mile race from San Diego to Atlantic City, across
the United States on a bike - in eight days! To be competitive,
the riders will have to stay on the bike for 21-22 hours a day.
They will face 110,000 feet of climbing through the Rocky
Mountains and have to overcome the brutal heat of the Mojave
Desert.
Chris MacDonald, 32 from Mukilteo, Washington is one of the
favorites for the race. An elite rower on the United States
National team for four years and now a Physiologist, at the
University of Copenhagen, Chris has an in-depth understanding
about the physical requirements needed to complete such a
grueling event.
Despite having to ride through the Mohave Desert where
temperatures are likely to top 120°F, Chris expects to keep his
cool. Preparation and planning for an event such as the RAAM is
vitally important and Chris and his support crew have taken
steps to counter the extreme heat. Research has led them to the
Arctic Heat Cooling Vest, a product designed to allow athletes
to pre-cool and to stabilize their core body temperature.
“There is no doubt that keeping the body temperature low and
healthy using the Arctic Heat cooling vest, will be what makes
the difference through the desert, and ultimately in the race.”
said Chris MacDonald. The cooling vest can delay the effects of
heat stress, reduce sweating rates, and allow the rider to
worker harder for longer.
“We are really excited to have Chris MacDonald use our cool
vests in the RAAM” said Arctic Heat’s Dr John Surie. “Our Arctic
Heat cooling vests have previously been used to help athletes at
the Athens Olympics and to assist the troops in Iraq, now we
have the chance to help Chris stay cool during the World's
Hardest Sporting Event.”
Chris will have access to a wide range of Arctic Heat cooling
products, some that have been made especially for the RAAM. When
the heat is on in the desert, expect to see Chris keeping his
cool with what is fast becoming this summer’s coolest item.
The lightweight Arctic Heat Cooling vest uses a two stage
cooling process. The vests contain a gel-like substance that can
be frozen or chilled, and will maintain that temperature for up
to two hours. The cooling vests are manufactured using
Woolmark's Sportwool, a special body cooling fabric which
incorporates Vapor Management Technology.
COOL DOWN
FIRE UP
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