derstandard.at (20.12.2009): Once across Australia
Four from Vorarlberg cycle with their hand bikes right across Australia and also want to set a new speed record
When you hear that Philip Bonadimann with his Knight Rider will go in seven days across Australia by once, we think of first: "Is this not KITT and has this not been moth food for years, ?" But far from it. It really means Knight Rider. Seriously, Philipp called his hand bike with which he will contest the Race Across Australia, the RAAUS.
Philip Bonadimann is the youngest of a gang of four paraplegic exceptional athletes, who are all attached to the wheelchair Club ENJO in Vorarlberg. Next year in October, they want to cycle the 4000 km and 12,000 vertical meters from Perth to Sydney just with their arms. Wolfgang Wimmer is the oldest, Juergen Egle, Thomas Bechter and Dietmar Dorn in between.
True, these are now a total of five athletes. Dietmar Dorn trained on as a substitute driver in the event if something will happening to the others.
Although the four scheduled starters have been long experience, they're all challenged the 2006 Race Across America with their hand bikes. In Australia, they want even more than drive from one end to the other - they want to break the speed record. In seven days, they want to reach Sydney.
Little sleep and liquid nutrition
The time change will be the smallest problem, says Philip Bonadimann: "We will be in Perth 4 days before the start to acclimatize ourselves. Then the race is already going on in a 24-hour rhythm. That means very little sleep, and always be on the road. " A bigger problem is the food: "We will have a few days before and then during the race, eating just more fluid. We've got a drink, in which all the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, et cetera, which the body under the enormous pressures required are included. "
During training the athletes feeding but still normal, because training is more often than you might think, says Philip Bonadimann: "In training I'm really since I'm in wheelchair, for all daily movements, either up, or enter into the car with etc. You will get some basic strength and endurance base with them. . Specific training is now since September. For a year the men work preparatory to their Hand Bikes: "In the winter we train on the roll, in the summer outdoors.
The challenges of the project
A basis to contest the Race Across Australia to are the assistants. One of the project leader is Andy Sillaber who knows the sport for five years and he is motivated, because: I learned a lot of this guys for me personally. So I want to give them something back. I like this together, this concept of "family".
The Race Across America 2006 was not the end of the story. I also was in America as an assistance. It was really amazing. The enormous effort, the enthusiasm of the spectators on the roadside and everywhere, where we are gone. Next challenge is, of course, to find sponsors for this project.
Buy & Support
The budget of the Race Across Australia is around 150,000 euros - the largest part will be provided by sponsors, but also every individual can participate. Instead, the team has a website online where you can buy meters for just one euro. Andy Sillaber had of course, an ulterior motive: "The single sum is not much for each of us, but the individual small is of a big result.
A large part of the donated money will be provided for social projects, also one in Australia. And if all goes well and Andy Sillaber find a sponsor, the professional photograph will make a 3D movie from the project.
You can follow the project on Facebook or on the homepage www.raaus.at.
