Texan Devan Horn leads the field as the 2015 Mongol Derby gets underway...

Texan Devan Horn leads the field as the 2015 Mongol Derby gets underway...

Picture - the start of the Mongol Derby 2015  - credit to Saskia Marloh

Quote of the day

"Thomas Ellingsen has been experiencing some chafe already and has resorted to duct taping the family jewels into a 'lift' position" (Katy Willings, Mongol Derby Chief on the ground)

Looks like Thomas should have invested in his Derrieres!

The 2015 Mongol Derby is underway – and got off to a scorching start both in terms of the weather and a frenetic first leg.

In the lead is 2013 Runner-up, Texan Devan Horn, who clocked the fastest time ever for the race in 2013, but lost first place to Lara Prior-Palmer after a vet's penalty during the last leg...

She is back and obviously means business….

SOPHIE WILFORD at the start line - Derriere Equestrian Sponsored Mongol Derby Rider has a flying start in her Derrieres 

Day 1 Report http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/5/mongol-derby-2015-race-report-day-1

Leaderboard Day 1 - http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/5/mongol-derby-2015-leaderboard-day-1

Info to date:

The 2015 course - http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/3/mongol-derby-the-2015-course

Hot tips of riders wanting to win - http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/4/mongol-derby-2015-5-hot-tips

Pre-launch report - http://www.theadventurists.com/the-jibber/2015/8/4/mongol-derby-2015-pre-launch-report

Up to the minute information:

Twitter @mongolderbylive

Facebook – wwww.facebook.com/mongolderby

Via the website (blogs / rider tracking)  www.mongolderby.com

The Course this year:

The 2015 Mongol Derby course is the toughest yet – more mountainous, more challenging and more spectacular.

Whereas previous races have been in a horseshoe shape, the 2015 course crosses right across Mongolia starting 300km further north and finishing on the shores of Lake Khovsgol, the jewel in Mongolia’s crown.

The region will not only be colder but there are more hazardous areas where it will not be possible to travel in a straight line making mapping a bit of a nightmare!

Mongol Derby Chief, Katy Willings says:

“We wanted to make this year’s race markedly different, not only so it is damn hard to navigate but also so it offers a broader flavour of Mongolia.  It offers the 39 riders a different navigational and horsemanship challenge this year and just to finish will be a great achievement. There are bound to be some thrills and spills along the way!”

Places for the 2016 Mongol Derby are selling out fast.

www.mongolderby.com