By: Emma Wichardt

Many might think that being a girl and an adventure racer is very hard, and that you are always the weak link in the team. But for Rebecca Rusch, Karen Lundgren and Emma Roca that is not true. All three of them are captains of some of the best adventure racing teams in the world. "Superwomen" in other words. But they do agree that women are often physically less strong than men, but bring many, maybe even more important assets than strength to a team. "Each team mate brings his or her strengths and weaknesses to the team. On a whole I think women offer a creative solution versus a strength solution to the race" says Karen from Team SOLE. She has been the captain of her team since the beginning of her career in adventure racing, but has always shared the role with her team mate and boyfriend Paul Romero.

From the left, Emma Roca (Buff Nike-ACG), Karen Lundgren (Team SOLE), Rebecca Rusch (Montrail)

Rebecca of Team Montrail offers a similar view on the subject. "Being a woman on the team is definitely different.  There are certain areas where we’re physically weaker and need to rely on help from the guys.  It happens most often in the early stages of the race where the pace is still quite fast.  The longer the race goes on, the stronger the women on teams seem to be. Being good at taking care of team mates, noticing when someone’s hurting, needs help or when we’re not working together well are all strengths of women".

The one who is not as sure at women’s strengths in adventure racing is Emma Rocca of Team Buff, Spain. At first she bursts out "Advantages no, disadvantages yes! We have less physical level and strength but we have to go as fast as them. We push harder than any other in the team!" But as she thinks of it she seems to come to the same conclusion as the other two girls.  "We have the responsibility to finish with the team and we are weaker physically but not mentally! I really have experienced that our mind is more adapted in hard situations, and our bodies can continue because of our mind. I saw men quit because of little blisters and women continue with both their feet injured."

These three strong girls are very experienced and respected at the scene of adventure racing, and they all have a long and exciting career behind them. And most of that career they have been the captains of their teams. It is a lot of extra hard work for them, especially in the pre race preparations, with sponsorship, logistics, gear etc. But once on the race course "we make our decisions as a group, so the title of captain is somewhat irrelevant once we’re racing" as Rebecca puts it. "Everyone is expected to do their best, work as a team and take part in group decisions.  However, I guess if no one is stepping up to the plate, it is my role to try to get everyone to work together.  It's not necessarily because I'm the captain, but because I see those things and want to make sure we're working together the best we can" she continues. "As a team we share decisions and as captains we share the work of putting together and keeping together our team" Karen adds.

All three of them come to Sweden with expectations of finishing well in this years race, but they all acknowledge the very strong field of racers at the starting line. "This race is very important, because it is the first in the World Cup AR circuit. Also the sponsors are expecting good results. I think that 80% of the teams competing this year are the best in the world, so it will be very hard to be in the top 5!" Emma Roca says.

Rebecca's Team Montrail was the one of these three teams headed by women that did not compete in last years race. She is very excited about it now. "Nearly everything I've heard about the race is positive.  People I've talked to loved the format, loved the country, found the race unique and exciting.  Only thing I've heard that was really unappealing was the 90 km inline skate!" she says. "I expect the Finns and the Swedes to be especially strong since the race is in familiar terrain for them.  They're also used to the climate, the weather and being in the snow! I expect the race to be very competitive with a number of teams who could win."

Karen Lundgren has high expectations on this years race. " We have a fast team, everyone is healthy and we are experienced, and we will be better prepared for the Swedish maps and terrain. But there are many local Swedish teams that are strong and fast that we don't see out on the international circuit." She has some good memories from last years race, for example climbing to the highest peak in Sweden, Kebnekaise, in the midnight sun.  "Having lunch with a Swedish family we met along the way is one of my best memories. We desperately needed a break, they took us in and fed us leftovers from their previous night's birthday party. They made us love the Swedish people."

Emma Roca is the one of the girls that have been adventure racing the longest. She started 10 years ago. And the racing has taken its toll on her body. "This year will be my last, I've been racing for 10 years and I'm really tired. This year I will do it with a different illusion, with my best experience and training and with sadness. But I really want to have babies and I have to stop!"

Being a professional adventure racing women is maybe not that easy. But it sure seems to have it's good sides; you get to experience things that most people never will, see parts of the world that almost none have seen before you, meet new people and build strong friendships. Live the adventure of a life time... as these three superwomen do.