2022 GS Trophy: Team USA arrives! (well … most of them, anyway)

Note: We apologize for misspelling Jim Duplease’s last name in previous articles.

The preparation and excitement leading up to a riders’ arrivals at GS Trophy Base Camp can range for each participant from a mild state of heightened anticipation to overwhelming emotion.

Kevin Jones, part of Team USA in 2020, said, “[In] the days leading up to the actual event, I remember feeling anxious, excited, and lucky. Anxious, because I just didn’t really know what to expect. Excited because I can’t believe I’m going to New Zealand—that I’m going to compete at the GS Trophy! I felt like I was the luckiest guy in the world to be able to do this. Thinking back to those few days before the event brings back a lot of good memories.”

Following what is typically a grueling day of travel, the sleep-deprived competitors find themselves getting a second wind as they step off the transport bus delivering them to base camp. They meet new friends, find teammates and wonder what comes next. The earlier arrivals, unburdened by their heavy bags, show the new ones what comes next; they help carry bags or gear, take those who have just shown up to the camp area and help set up tents and most importantly, point out the available food and drink.

Lisa Taylor, part of the International Female Team 2 in 2020, said, “As an introvert, I was nervous about the constant ON, the video cameras and the interviews. I was excited knowing I would be making lifelong friends, I would be visiting one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and I would be challenging myself in ways I never imagined.”

As an embedded team journalist for Lisa’s team in 2020, I arrived two days before her and got to greet her and her teammates as they rolled in. Like most other teams, we hugged and laughed, then told stories as we set up tents and stowed gear. Beers and snacks came next as we greeted new friends while looking out over a beautiful New Zealand lake.

Things have not changed much from 2020 in New Zealand to 2022 in Albania. Teams are reuniting, the first waves of riders coming in are showing the second wave the ropes, new friends are being made over beers—this time overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

The two members of Team USA from the west coast—Jim Duplease and Cory Call—made it into Albania this afternoon. When we left off yesterday, Ben Phaup‘s Munich connection had been cancelled and he had been rerouted through Zurich and Belgrade before his anticipated arrival in Tirana at 8:00 PM. Unfortunately, due to more delays and cancellations, he has still not touched down on his third of four legs as of this writing. However, as I track his flights across the late-night/early-morning skies of Europe, it looks like he’ll land around 2:30 AM local time.

Although Ben’s teammates were ready to set up an extra tent and bedding for him to immediately fall into, it looks like he will get a real bed for at least a few quick hours of sleep. Team USA is going to need all the support they can get in the next couple of days.

If you are social media savvy, please make sure you find the team’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GSTrophyTeamUSA) and send them encouragement. Tune in here tomorrow to see what comes next!