One Life ... Live It: Defender Trophy 2026 - Conclusion

Once we returned to Zajac Rach, we were assigned to a couple bunk houses. And it wasn’t just a catchy name for a multi room cabin, I ended up on the top bunk in a room with 26 other dudes! Which was all fine and well, particularly after we all got to take a much needed shower and got changed into new clothes.
As we waited for dinner, everyone congregated in the common area outside of the bunkhouses and lounged in the sun discussing the past two days. Most people complained of sore muscles or lack of decent sleep. The biggest complaint was that the food had been sub-par, but that was due to seeing the Selections in Japan and Taiwan being served gourmet meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I guess the organizers here felt that Americans and Canadians were a bit heartier and could subsist off lesser fare.
As far as the tasks went, everyone had a different one that they liked or disliked most, though the water carry was easily the least favorite. Most people had wished that we’d gotten a real, long and challenging trail to drive; but understood that within the time limit the event had, it wasn’t possible.
And of course, there was speculation about who would be announced as the winners from our wave. I was surprised, shocked really, when a handful of people mentioned my name. I felt that I was nothing short of mediocre through the whole event; but people said that I never faltered, was always positive, and was good at taking the lead on tasks. To say that was humbling coming from such an amazing and talented group is an understatement.
Eventually we were called to dinner, and to our pleasant surprise it was some delicious BBQ chicken that just fell off the bone. And there was plenty of it, which was excellent since everyone was ravenous. I think a few guys had four helpings!
Once our bellies were full, we headed to the amphitheater to find out who the winners were. Again, the president of Jaguar Land Rover North America gave a speech about “finding our impossible” and the enduring spirit of Defender, etc. etc. After the corporate speak was over, they started announcing the winners. First was the Shackleton Spirit Award, which went to Pierce West. Basically, this recognized who was the best team player. Pierce was in Group E with me on day one and was in Car 10 for most of day two, and the guy was just awesome. Always a cheerleader, always upbeat, just an awesome guy. AND, he’s a Samurai guy as well, so right there he’s a winner!
Next they announced the two winners from Canada, we only had six in Wave One so it was pretty competitive. It ended up being Joel Cates from Alberta, and AJ Leveille from British Columbia. And finally it was the Americans, Charlie Miller out of Massachusetts and Tirin Cameron from Colorado.

Interestingly, out of the four winners I only had Charlie on my navigation team but never was teamed up with any of the others. He was one of our pacers, and seemed like a great guy. But honestly, that could have been said about everyone there. Everyone tried their hardest, everyone helped each other, and everyone was excited and happy to be part of Defender Trophy. There wasn’t a single person there where it would have been a surprise if they had won. Sure, some people were more physical, or better at driving, or communicating, navigating, whatever. But in the end, anyone could have been selected because they were determined to do their best. It really was an amazing experience to spend two days with these people.

Now that it's been a month since I left for British Columbia to take part in the Defender Trophy, I’ve had some time to really reflect on it.
Camel Trophy was such an inspirational part of my youth. It really defined “adventure” and what I felt like 4-wheeling should be. Inherently I knew that Camel Trophy could never return. No company, really no insurer, is willing to take the risk an event like that would entail ever again. In addition the marketing value of saying, “We’re going to dump 100 guys and 50 Defenders in the jungle and see if they can make it to the coast.” doesn’t sell cars like it did 40 years ago. Now it’s less about the raw capabilities of man and machine conquering the elements, and more about the technology, the comfort, and the lifestyle the car conveys. That was true in the late 90’s as well. Tastes were changing, and vehicle marketing needed to change as well. Beginning in 1997 Camel Trophy started introducing elements other than just driving to the events. Mountain biking, kayaking, and skiing all made their appearance. Ultimately, this softening of Camel Trophy is what killed it.
Twenty-six years on attempting to reboot the “Ultimate Adventure” means it has to thread the needle between the people wanting to see the brutal adventure of vintage Camel Trophy, and those who know that selling a Defender in 2026 is all about image and the lifestyle a potential buyer wants to convey.
So while I’m one of the people who wants to see Defender Trophy be a brutal adventure, I knew going in that it was going to be much softer than what had come before. Was it easy? Not at all. It pushed us all and challenged us physically and mentally at every turn. But it also wasn’t designed to break people to find those few who could eventually endure three weeks in the unforgiving jungle. It was an “experience”. It was a marketing exercise. And that was fine. I got to go to an area I’d never been before, I got to drive the pants off a vehicle I will likely never be able to justify owning, and I got to hang out with a ton of like minded people doing something entertaining that I'm passionate about.
I’m eagerly awaiting to see what the Global Final in Africa will really be like. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong and it will be a real adventure in the truest Camel spirit. We can only hope. But even if it's not, I feel so fortunate that I will forever have been a part of the Trophy legacy, even if it's just in some small way.