THE HISTORY OF

GERARD FUSIL, THE MAN WHO STARTED THE RAID , The IS UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS Godfather Story and Photos by Tim Holmstrom

The first thing I noticed about Gerard Fusil was that he had changed hats. His beige wide- brimmed Outback Tilley chapeau had given way to a snappy bone-white Panama Safari hat. It was stylish but more subdued than the one he wore when I saw him last, five years ago at the Elf Authentic Adventure Race in Brazil, and it suited a man who had reached a stage in life where he felt little need to call added attention to himself. Known as the Godfather of Adventure Racing, Fusil forever put his mark on the world of endurance sports, adventure and team competition when he started the Raid Gauloises in in 1989. While team multi-sport racing had existed in some form or another in New Zealand, Australia, Alaska and parts of Europe, Fusil is the one credited with making it a world- wide spectacle. Fusil’s 1992 Raid Gauloises in included a competitor named Mark Burnett, who, a couple years later, started a race called Eco-Challenge. Having left the Raid Gauloises in 1998, Fusil moved on to create the Elf Authentic Adventure, an 11-day race that prided itself on interaction with the local culture (in the Philippines in 1999, and Brazil in 2000). From there, he created Reunion d’Aventure, a five-day stage race in the Indian Ocean, in its second year (see sidebar). Now, at age 57, Fusil has had many years to sort out his adventure racing mantra, but you don’t have to look very hard to see that he’s been steadily guided by an unquenchable thirst for adventure most of his life. What emanates from Fusil are his philosophy and convictions, his passion about what’s ailing the sport of adventure racing in general and the fact that he truly strives to put those principals into play at his own events. I caught up with him during his race on Reunion Island in May to discuss his deeply held beliefs regarding the sport he has had such a huge hand in creating.

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2 www.adventuresportsmagazine.com JULY 2004 adventuresports 3 Q What inspired you to create the Raid A “When someone has a good idea there “At the moment there is no legitimate Gauloises? are always some sharks that come to circle representative race that captures all of A “In 1987, I was a French journalist on an and exploit the new situation. Mark these elements and the World Champion- assignment to Chile to interview sailors Burnett is a good businessman, but he ship, or I should say the self-proclaimed who were racing round Cape Horn. I took lacks imagination, and that is why he is world championship, has lost the thread a boat out to one of the furthermost islands always looking around for new ideas. He can never be a true to that title until they and camped while waiting for the com- bought the adventure race concept from truly begin to move in this direction.” petitors. We were on the island and the me in the early 90’s, and then he bought Q Describe some of the main differences that dis- weather turned bad so we were picked up Survivor from someone in Sweden. He has tinguish your approach to race directing from some by helicopter. While we were flying I saw a good instinct for what he can sell and for of your successors and less dedicated imitators. all these beautiful lakes and I started to think about a book I had read recently called ‘Who Remembers the Men (Indians).’ [TK NAME OF BOOK] It was about the Indians who were attempting to flee from the Conquistadors and they came to these remote islands to escape. They left their comfortable homes and survived in very harsh conditions in a very primitive way just to stay free. “It was this moment that I had the idea to create an adventure for the non- mechanic people that would be different from the Paris to Dakar or Camel Trophy (which is multi-sport but involves off-road driving). But I thought it would be a good idea to include the woman to make life more interesting than it was for the poor Indians.” Q So that was it? A“No. I was a journalist and sailor up until Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. that point. I had crossed the Atlantic Ocean four times. The fourth time was on a Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Catamaran with three other sailors. That was my first ‘Big Adventure.’” Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. “After reporting on the sailing experi- ence I was tapped by the organizer of the Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Pull Quote here. Paris to Dakar road rally to cover his race ‘the way you covered crossing the sea.’ After that, I covered the Camel Trophy making money. He was never interested in A“I don’t really trust the organizers who Series and similar events. But that was just creating a better sport or a purer sport. It is don’t love the reconnaissance. When I hear a small part of the equation up until that his blessing and his curse.” that they don’t go for the recon, I’m then trip to Cape Horn. Q What about prize money? sure it must be the case that they are just “We are inspired and shaped by so A“I’m really against organizers who push making a race for the money. The recon many things. The jobs you take, the dreams big money in adventure sports. It creates trips are my first motivation. I love to go you have, the culture you breathe, the certain problems like drugs and exclusiv- with my colleagues and friends and to friends you have and keep, the experiences ity. We must try to keep this sport clean and wake up each morning and say ‘What will you value and the books you read and not bring in always the professionals. The happen today? What will I discover?’” remember ... Conrad, Kessel and those integrity and dignity of some events are “This is my belief, but in authors with the spirit of adventure. Have put in danger because the big money only people watch this type of event on TV to you ever read ‘The Empty Quarter by encourages professionals who are coming dream, to dream about traveling to incred- William Kessel?’” just for the sport. It’s moving in the wrong ible places and to dream about a pure Q No, but I will. Here’s a question: With Eco- direction. What we need is more events adventure in nature. They do not care so Challenge in limbo, what are your thoughts on bringing a real adventure in nature for the much about the fastest, strongest or tough- Mark Burnett and the growing trend towards ordinary people, events that put the accent est competitors who never smile or sleep larger prize purses and the pressure now on back on the expedition, autonomy and and who move over the land like zombie. athletes who are paid? adaptation. CONTINUED ON PAGE TK >>

4 www.adventuresportsmagazine.com GERARD FUSIL’S LATEST ADVENTURE Reunion D’Aventures ON REUNION ISLAND

JUST OFF THE northeast corner of managable race competition that , along an ancient trading would be held each year on Reunion route once teeming with pirates, sits an Island. He also unveiled a new stage imposing, impossibly lush island that race format that requires teams to stop lays claim to one of the most active vol- each evening at 6 p.m., regardless of canoes in the world. When the French their positon on course and pitch camp. setled Reunion Island in the Indian Due to the large size of Reunion, Ocean three and a half centuries ago, they aptly named the island’s volcano “Piton de la Fournaise” — Peak of the Furnace. It has erupted 100 times in the last 300 years. (Make that 101 times. It erupted again my third night on the island in early May.) Rising 9,000 feet from sea level are many of the highest peaks in this corner of the 970 square miles of rugged varied will compete at Reunion Island at least globe and the highest in the Indian terrain, and with sponsorship in place one time in their life,” Fusil says. “One Ocean. Reunion is known by the French from the Reunion Department of time may not be enough because the as “The Intense Island” and it cast a Tourism and other local sponsors, weather and the course will always be spell on Gerard Fusil many years ago. including airline Nouvelles Frontiers, changing.” That is why two years ago Fusil Fusil is able to focus on creative routes Fusil’s reference to the weather announced this particular island as his and varied disciplines. Gerard has also is ironic, as it is widely acknowledged new race venue. He set to work creat- “spared no expense” in creating an that he is cursed by stormy skies. ing close ties with local sponsors, local unforgettable experience for the Many of his events have been plagued government and a French airline people who come to compete. by persistent and torrential rains. This partner. His goal was to forge a consis- “My hope is that every competi- year would be no different, as five con- tently upgradable and logisticallly tor who loves adventure and nature secutive days of the worst rain seen on

JULY 2004 adventuresports 5 Reunion D’Aventures

Reunion in seven years mocked the other more stunning canyons. Fusil’s efforts to show off a spectacu- As the rain fell day after day, Plan lar course. B gave way to Plan C, and although the This spring, 18 French teams and course changed daily, it was disap- two Belgian teams made the 11-hour pointing but managable for a very flight from Paris to spend a week capable race organization. “Ces’t la sopping wet on this beautiful tropical vie,” said an irrepressibly upbeat Fusil, island. Out of 11 planned diciplines, six despite the unrelenting rain. “We could were canceled because of uncoopera- all be in Iraq right now.” tive weather conditions. Rough seas On Day 2, while standing in the forced the cancellation of the event steady drizzle, Fusil eyed a team that prologue. A highly anticipated river was wet, muddy, but smiling as they kayak jump [TK CLARIFY] was can- climbed up and over the lip of the 755- celled, as well as river trekking and foot deep Commerson Crater. They had ocean kayaking legs and large sections earlier rapelled to the bottom and were of the course were redirected or shut told that they would be the last team to down due to the remarkably swift rising get to do it. The climbing guides would water in Takamaka Canyon and some of be pulling the ropes which had become

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