By combining an accessible stage format with a convivial race culture and exposure to local traditions, the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge affirms its universal appeal by, once again, drawing widespread interest from teams around the globe.
From overall course design, rules and regulations to logistical support and cultural context, all aspects of The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge are carefully fine-tuned to bring out the best in every competing team. The stage-race format allows athletes to give 100% during the day’s racing while benefiting from the restorative qualities of an evening bivouac. Optional routes, included in the longer, more challenging stages, allow teams to maximise their physical effort by racing at their own rhythm, incurring a time penalty rather than dropping out altogether through exhaustion. If a team wanders off-course enough to require direct intervention from the organization, penalties are incurred but provision has been made to avoid exclusion from the race altogether. Winning is for one; participating is for all.
Although teams are free to bring their own equipment, the organisation provides top quality MTBs, and state of the art sea-kayaks to every team. All the logistics involved in transporting teams and gear between stages and serving hot meals in the transitional bivouacs is also covered by the organisation, eliminating the need for support crews.
Last year, this innovative and unique set of credentials attracted an exceptional field comprising 36 teams from no fewer than 19 different nations, establishing The Challenge as the world’s most cosmopolitan adventure race ever - a record well within sight this year as pros, seasoned amateurs and neophytes already flock to register for the 2009 event. Many “early adopters“ are completely new to the race with the likes of ARCTIC EXPLORERS (GB), DOLPHIN TEAM XTREME (NL) and KINESIUM (FRA) joining ranks with returnees SALOMON CRESTED BUTTE (USA) and SPELEO SALOMON (POL) to name just few. A common refrain among newcomers is echoed by Dave SAVVAS, captain of expat Australians SOUTHERN CROSS: “The format is unique and this really inspired us to get a team together for this year. The combination of events, especially the desert trek, is exciting and will definitely test us as a team. The environment is also unique and, whilst we are living in the UAE, there is no better way to really get a true appreciation of the environment…”
There are few arenas in the AR world that inspire both rookies and established champions – the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge is one of them.
Live race coverage and information at www.abudhabi-adventure.com
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
No inline skating - thank goodness!
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Choosing the new team
It is much harder this time around to choose the new Team www.AR.co.za for the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge in December. I've got 31 applicants and most of them are really good athletes with a mix of experience. There are also a good many that I don't know personally - so I'm going on gut feel.
I should have my decision made by Wednesday, 1 July 2009.
I should have my decision made by Wednesday, 1 July 2009.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Media release: 2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge announced
This year’s Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge will be held from the 4th to the 9th of December. The innovative nature of this demanding sporting and cultural odyssey, with its unique emphasis on fairness, accessibility and camaraderie, represents adventure racing’s most exciting opportunity to race against the world’s most international field.
In keeping with the last two years, when early December was chosen as the ideal period for adventure racing’s Blue Ribbon finale, the 2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge will be held from the 4th to the 9th of December. What’s more, to ensure that the race offers a sporting challenge rather than an economic one, especially given the current economic climate, the organisers have made a €1,000 reduction to the 2009 entrance fee, bringing it to €2,500 per team and opening the world’s most international race to the entire adventure racing community.
In total contrast to many other headline-grabbing races held around the globe, the ADAC is designed to not only appeal to the world’s top teams but also to those with the ambition of becoming one themselves but who, as yet, might lack sufficient international or big race experience. Last year, the highly successful ADTA awards took a selection of fortunate ‘local’ teams from Britain, Sweden, Slovenia the USA and South Africa, all with no international race experience, handed them entry fees, plane tickets and the opportunity to rub shoulder with and learn from the world’s best. The ADTA Continental Rookie Prizes (2,500 USD) handed out cash prizes to the four top teams, one from each of the following four continental zones, Europe, North - South America, Asia - Oceania and The Middle East – Africa, racing for the first time in The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. Both initiatives, aimed at promoting the sport throughout the burgeoning international rookie community, will be maintained for this year’s race.
After 6 days over a course worthy of the world’s most international field and matched only by the quality of the encounters with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, a lucky few will take with them the “glittering prizes” but thanks to a judiciously planned course and flexible support infrastructure, every team is given the chance to finish the race one way or another. Only in this way are all teams able to complete what is, after all, the objective of any sporting event: to participate and be enriched by the competition, rivalry and ensuing camaraderie. To learn from the experience, come back again and maybe win.
Live race coverage and information at www.abudhabi-adventure.com
In keeping with the last two years, when early December was chosen as the ideal period for adventure racing’s Blue Ribbon finale, the 2009 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge will be held from the 4th to the 9th of December. What’s more, to ensure that the race offers a sporting challenge rather than an economic one, especially given the current economic climate, the organisers have made a €1,000 reduction to the 2009 entrance fee, bringing it to €2,500 per team and opening the world’s most international race to the entire adventure racing community.
In total contrast to many other headline-grabbing races held around the globe, the ADAC is designed to not only appeal to the world’s top teams but also to those with the ambition of becoming one themselves but who, as yet, might lack sufficient international or big race experience. Last year, the highly successful ADTA awards took a selection of fortunate ‘local’ teams from Britain, Sweden, Slovenia the USA and South Africa, all with no international race experience, handed them entry fees, plane tickets and the opportunity to rub shoulder with and learn from the world’s best. The ADTA Continental Rookie Prizes (2,500 USD) handed out cash prizes to the four top teams, one from each of the following four continental zones, Europe, North - South America, Asia - Oceania and The Middle East – Africa, racing for the first time in The Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge. Both initiatives, aimed at promoting the sport throughout the burgeoning international rookie community, will be maintained for this year’s race.
After 6 days over a course worthy of the world’s most international field and matched only by the quality of the encounters with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, a lucky few will take with them the “glittering prizes” but thanks to a judiciously planned course and flexible support infrastructure, every team is given the chance to finish the race one way or another. Only in this way are all teams able to complete what is, after all, the objective of any sporting event: to participate and be enriched by the competition, rivalry and ensuing camaraderie. To learn from the experience, come back again and maybe win.
Live race coverage and information at www.abudhabi-adventure.com
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