Storm forces course changes at Adventure Racing World Championship in Corsica

A storm front hit Corsica’s west coast during day 5 of the Adventure Racing World Championship, forcing organizers to stop parts of the sea kayak and ropes sections for safety. Luberon MUC still led the race as teams headed into the final four stages, but timing adjustments and a delayed schedule could reshape the finish.

Why it matters: - The weather disruption affected two marquee sections of the Adventure Racing World Championship and forced organizers to balance safety with sporting fairness. - The race remains tight at the front even after course changes, with several teams still in contention as the event enters its final stages. - The race is running about 12 hours behind schedule, which could push the finish at Ile Rousse later than expected.

What happened: - A storm front swept onto Corsica’s west coast on day 5 of the ARWC 2026, bringing thunderstorms, stronger winds, cooler temperatures and rain. - The sea kayak leg between Cargèse and Porto and the ropes section at Capu Tafunatu were both affected. - Organizers made urgent course changes after conditions worsened on Sunday. - On the water, teams paddled in sit-on-top kayaks along the coast near Capo Rosso before the roughest conditions developed. - In the mountains, leading teams were climbing toward Monte Cinto, the highest point on the island.

The details: - The sea kayak leg covered 29 km and was due to close at 11 a.m. for the race’s first short-cut. - A decision to close the paddle was made less than two hours before the cutoff. - Alyssa Godesky of U.S. team VERT said the team faced nearly every sea condition on the paddle, including waves about a metre high. - Damon de Boor of South Africa’s Trufflehunters said the team had four windless days before conditions changed on the sea. - Both teams were among the last to finish the kayak stage, which followed one of Corsica’s most dramatic coastlines. - Some teams that had started the paddle but had not passed Capo Rosso were escorted back to the start by race safety staff. - Teams that started before 11 a.m. continued as full-course teams and rode to the next transition area after the paddle. - Teams that arrived after 11 a.m. followed the same route but will not be classed as full-course teams. - The top four teams had completed a major ropes stage across the summits of Capu Tafunatu and Paglia Orba. - The stage used technical routes that required ropes for security and included roped ascents and descents. - Mountain guides stopped the stage because rain made the terrain too slippery to continue safely. - Three teams that had started the ropes stage were escorted back to Refuge Ciuttulu di i Mori, which served as the start and finish point. - Luberon MUC of France finished the demanding technical stage in 8 hours, 40 minutes. - Race directors and referees are working on timing adjustments to produce a fair result for all teams. - Guides had spent two days setting ropes for the mountain stage. - The race said the changes were made with one priority: safety, while preserving sporting fairness as far as possible.

Between the lines: - The storm hit at the worst possible moment, disrupting the race’s two most exposed and technically demanding sections on the same day. - Organizers appear to be protecting the integrity of the event by adjusting times rather than simply neutralizing the affected stages. - The race favorites remain in position, but the timing review could matter if the final standings stay tight. - The course setback also shows how quickly expedition racing can shift from a tactical contest to a safety decision driven by weather.

What's next: - Four stages remain: a technical packraft descent, a bike ride to Saint Florent, a final trek with a difficult finish, and a trek-and-packraft stage. - Organizers expect those stages to take about 21 more hours, though tired teams may take longer because the race is already behind schedule. - Luberon MUC continues to lead, while 400team Altore has moved into second place. - A close group of teams remains within striking distance as the fifth night of racing begins. - Fans can follow live satellite tracking and race updates at the official race site.