We've just received the most recent event information from the race organisers of Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge today. Confirmed disciplines include:
Adventure Triathlon (stage 1)
Sea Kayaking
Mountain biking
Desert Adventure Running
Mountain Adventure Running
Rope Activities
I am VERY relieved to see that we have no inline skating, a discipline that was only included in the first edition of the event (this will be the third). Inline skating never really caught on as a sport in South Africa like it did in Europe and, it appears, California (they have people on the beach boulevards on skates...). So, I'm relieved that the disciplines are as per last year.
The first stage is an Adventure Triathlon, which includes biking, sea kayaking and adventure running. The new addition to this line-up is swimming. That should be interesting. No idea about the distance - we'll find out when we get there.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Meeting each other
Shortly after the team was announced, Alex headed for Knysna to take part in the many events held during the Oyster Festival and he is currently in CT on a course. Francois is in Pretoria, Christo is in Bloem and I'm in Joburg. So, as yet, the Team www.AR.co.za members have not yet all met each other, although we do communicate on email.
The exciting news is that I'll meet Francois on Saturday morning at the Springbok Vasbyt, which is held from the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria and I'll see Christo in early August when I'm in Bloem.
We have got a team event diary where we've logged the events that we want to do over the coming months - as indidivuals and pairs or team. Some events we'll be at the same event but taking part as individuals. Between the four of us there is a lot on the go.
Aside from this my 'team management' principle is simple: each team member knows his/her strengths and we know the training we need to do in preparation for regular events and ADAC. I leave everyone to it. I'm away for much of August and as it is still cold, we'll only start our full paddling focus at the beginning of September. Then we'll see each other a lot more - especially me, Alex and Francois, with some fun events and stuff with Christo on weekends.
So, for now we're ticking over and keeping in regular contact with each other.
The exciting news is that I'll meet Francois on Saturday morning at the Springbok Vasbyt, which is held from the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria and I'll see Christo in early August when I'm in Bloem.
We have got a team event diary where we've logged the events that we want to do over the coming months - as indidivuals and pairs or team. Some events we'll be at the same event but taking part as individuals. Between the four of us there is a lot on the go.
Aside from this my 'team management' principle is simple: each team member knows his/her strengths and we know the training we need to do in preparation for regular events and ADAC. I leave everyone to it. I'm away for much of August and as it is still cold, we'll only start our full paddling focus at the beginning of September. Then we'll see each other a lot more - especially me, Alex and Francois, with some fun events and stuff with Christo on weekends.
So, for now we're ticking over and keeping in regular contact with each other.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
South African team selected for Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge 2009
Through an unusual selection process, a South African team has been chosen to compete in the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in December 2009. Alex Pope, Christo Viljoen and Francois Jooste will race with Lisa de Speville as Team www.AR.co.za in the 3rd edition of this six day, staged adventure race.
www.AR.co.za, South Africa’s adventure racing website, is an Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority Award recipient. The website’s owner and editor, Lisa de Speville, invites wanna-be team members throughout South Africa to submit an application form; the team is selected from these entries. “It’s an unorthodox method that worked really well last year,” Lisa explains. “Just sending in an entry tells me that the person has carefully considered their application in light of the training and preparation involved and their obligations to the team should they be chosen. Their answers to simple questions are more telling than their sporting experiences.”
Of the 31 applicants, seven were women. “Last year we went to ADAC with a two-guys-two- girls combination and I was leaning very much in favour of this mix again,” says Lisa. Her final decision was made after analysing the possible matches in terms of gender, age, experience, personality, skills and location. “There were many ideal applicants; the difficulty was in achieving a good team combination. I found it much more challenging to choose my team mates this year,” she adds.
This Team www.AR.co.za is youthful. Alex Pope (21, Jo’burg) is a university student. He has been orienteering “since I can remember” and in recent years added adventure races to his calendar. Francois Jooste (20, Pretoria) is also a university student. He did his first 65km adventure race and 24hr mountain bike relay event at 14. “Both of these guys are ahead of their years,” Lisa says. The third guy is Christo Viljoen (32, Bloemfontein). Christo is an all-round multi-sporter with numerous multi-day adventure races and multisport events under his belt. Lisa (33, Jo’burg) is the team’s captain; she has 10 years of adventure racing and ultra distance, staged and mountain running as her background, including ADAC 2008.
“Alex is the one I know the best – from orienteerring,” Lisa says. Christo and Lisa have encountered each other at races, mostly in passing, over the years. “My clearest recollection is of doing most of the trekking section at the winter edition of Wartrail, in mid-2007, with him,” she says. Lisa spoke to Francois on the phone for the first time two days ago. “The guys don’t know each other at all. But with the guidance I received from other racers, I think that I’ve chosen well and that we’ve got compatible and complementary personalities and strengths.”
The team members will meet each other within the next few weeks and with five months to prepare, they’ll be ready for the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in December.
Follow Team www.AR.co.za’s training and preparations on teamwwwarcoza.blogspot.com and read more about the event at www.abudhabi-adventure.com.
ENDS
www.AR.co.za, South Africa’s adventure racing website, is an Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority Award recipient. The website’s owner and editor, Lisa de Speville, invites wanna-be team members throughout South Africa to submit an application form; the team is selected from these entries. “It’s an unorthodox method that worked really well last year,” Lisa explains. “Just sending in an entry tells me that the person has carefully considered their application in light of the training and preparation involved and their obligations to the team should they be chosen. Their answers to simple questions are more telling than their sporting experiences.”
Of the 31 applicants, seven were women. “Last year we went to ADAC with a two-guys-two- girls combination and I was leaning very much in favour of this mix again,” says Lisa. Her final decision was made after analysing the possible matches in terms of gender, age, experience, personality, skills and location. “There were many ideal applicants; the difficulty was in achieving a good team combination. I found it much more challenging to choose my team mates this year,” she adds.
This Team www.AR.co.za is youthful. Alex Pope (21, Jo’burg) is a university student. He has been orienteering “since I can remember” and in recent years added adventure races to his calendar. Francois Jooste (20, Pretoria) is also a university student. He did his first 65km adventure race and 24hr mountain bike relay event at 14. “Both of these guys are ahead of their years,” Lisa says. The third guy is Christo Viljoen (32, Bloemfontein). Christo is an all-round multi-sporter with numerous multi-day adventure races and multisport events under his belt. Lisa (33, Jo’burg) is the team’s captain; she has 10 years of adventure racing and ultra distance, staged and mountain running as her background, including ADAC 2008.
“Alex is the one I know the best – from orienteerring,” Lisa says. Christo and Lisa have encountered each other at races, mostly in passing, over the years. “My clearest recollection is of doing most of the trekking section at the winter edition of Wartrail, in mid-2007, with him,” she says. Lisa spoke to Francois on the phone for the first time two days ago. “The guys don’t know each other at all. But with the guidance I received from other racers, I think that I’ve chosen well and that we’ve got compatible and complementary personalities and strengths.”
The team members will meet each other within the next few weeks and with five months to prepare, they’ll be ready for the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in December.
Follow Team www.AR.co.za’s training and preparations on teamwwwarcoza.blogspot.com and read more about the event at www.abudhabi-adventure.com.
ENDS
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Team decision made
When I got down to my Top 4 I was in a predicament because I really wanted all 4. But, only 3 can go.
Official announcement to follow.
Official announcement to follow.
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