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CNN Live At Daybreak

Interview with Alejandro Albor, Alicia Dana

Aired July 24, 2002 - 06:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sixteen racers are taking part in an event that takes true determination. And it's a 267 mile race that lasts six days and is the longest wheelchair and hand cycle race in the world.

And joining us now are two of the hand cycle racers. In Alaska, Alejandro Albor and Alicia Dana.

Thank you very much for being with us this morning.

Alicia, let me start off with you.

How difficult is this race? I mean 267 miles sounds extraordinarily hard.

ALICIA DANA, HAND CYCLE RACER: Sorry, what was the question?

COOPER: How tough is the race? I mean what is it like for you?

DANA: It's very tough. It's very tough. I've ridden my hand cycle across the lower 48 before, two summers ago, and I was averaging about 50 miles a day for two months. But this is the first time I've raced that distance before. So it's been really hard for me.

COOPER: Alejandro, what's the best part of it for you?

ALEJANDRO ALBOR, HAND CYCLE RACER: Hi. The best part is that I'm in the lead. I've been trying to keep my, the minutes that I have put up between the second and third place and I have been able to do that. And so far it's working and...

COOPER: Alicia, let me ask you, what is the difference between with a hand cycle and a wheelchair?

DANA: What's the difference?

COOPER: Yes.

DANA: Well, a hand cycle has gears. It's a lot like a bicycle but it's powered with your arms. You steer by leaning it or you steer by moving the front end. My kind of hand cycle you steer by leaning. So it's got gears. It can go farther than a wheelchair can and it can climb steeper grades, in general, than a racing wheelchair can.

COOPER: Alejandro told us a little bit about how he's doing in the race. How are you doing in the race?

DANA: I'm doing very well. I'm in the lead, also. I think I'm probably close to two hours ahead of the second place woman, which is over the course of four days of racing so far.

COOPER: Tell us both, either one of you, really, what is, I mean what's the spirit like? What is it like being in this race? What is it like being with all the other competitors? Describe it a little bit for us.

ALBOR: It is great to be with, surrounded by, you know, great athletes such as Alicia and Matt and the rest of the field. And but one of the best parts the challenge Alaska provides is the atmosphere is, I have raced in different states and to me this is like coming home. It's great.

DANA: Yes, Challenge Alaska provides us with volunteers. We, each of the racers gets two volunteers who come from all over the world and they drive behind us in a car. They're a support vehicle, take us to the hotel afterwards. So the support is incredible and I've noticed over the days, too, that it seems like people are really starting to bond and there's a fun atmosphere that's happening, too.

COOPER: Well, Alicia and Alejandro, we appreciate you being with us. Good luck in the rest of the race. Really, good luck. It's a tough race and we appreciate you taking the time out to join us this morning. Hope it didn't set you back in the race at all. Thanks very much.

ALBOR: Well, thank you.

DANA: Thanks a lot.

COOPER: OK.

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