Raid Caneo Nature January Newsletter

PRESS RELEASE



January 2008


Dear Friends,

Enthusiasm for the Raid CanéO Nature is definitely not waning and more teams are registering all the time. Over thirty-five teams have already registered. The teams include GFC race regulars – the French Navy, Lattitude 55, the Fous de Bassin – as well as lots of new competitors who have experience of shorter races but are ready for a big adventure – the Ecole Normale Supérieure – and other teams who take part in numerous races such as Aigle Sybelles, Intersports Liège, Guaranis Brasil, and two female teams.


Amongst other important pieces of news, we have decided to ensure that the top ranking teams can recoup their expenses, following the same principle as for the Raid Gauloises. The winners will therefore receive €12,000 (about $17.500), the second placed team will receive €8,000 (about $11.500) and the third placed team €5,000 (about $7.000).

Even more importantly, so that outdoor sports finally achieve the recognition that they deserve, our media agreements are progressing well and we should soon be able to confirm twice daily TV coverage of this major sporting adventure at peak time on the number one French TV channel. Radio broadcasting agreements with a major broadcaster are also being prepared.

As for the event itself, many of you have been sending us questions. We are not able to provide you with all of the answers before the end of March, but here is some information to help you prepare for the event.

Question from the two CHTI RAID teams: “Could you provide more information about the route and the stage villages for the sponsors?”

Every day a race village/bivouac will be set up close to a town. The village may simply be a place through which the race passes. Villages will also often be transition areas. They will sometimes be a stop-off/regrouping point.
The village/bivouac will offer technical services (race HQ, press centre and TV production centre). They will also be a meeting point for support teams and guests. Finally, villages will be a place for race spectators who will be informed about this by the press and a poster campaign. A presenter will provide information about the progress of the race, and will introduce each team as it goes through.
The race organisers will ensure that large number of spectators come to these lively villages, with activities being organised for children. These villages will be open to team partners in return for a financial contribution that we are currently defining, in order to make the event as attractive as possible for them.

More information about the “villages” will be sent shortly to all the teams that have registered. The stage districts will be unveiled in April.

A question asked by the PSA team and many others: “What levels and certificates are needed for the various activities?”

You will be given specific information at the beginning of April. We will send you forms containing very precise requirements which must be signed by state-certified instructors, and which will broadly certify:
- That you know how to abseil independently.
- That at least one member of your team knows how to read a potholing map.
- That at least two members of your team know how to care for horses.
- That at least one member of your team knows how to sail a dinghy.

Checks may be carried out before the start of the race.

We recommend that:
- At least one member of your team has good orienteering skills.
- That all the members of your team know how to rollerblade and sea kayak.
- That they have all practiced mountain biking and endurance sports.

A question asked by the “Fun Events” team: “What sort of kayak is required? Will there be white water sections?”

A sea kayak is required for the race. You will use it on rivers and maybe at sea. Ideally, each team should have two double kayaks, which should fit on the vehicles’ roof racks. These kayaks need to be suitable for flat water, but easy to handle on turbulent waterways.

If white water sections require other craft, the organisers will provide them.

We strongly recommend that you hire your kayaks so that you can train on the type of craft that you will be using during the race. The sea kayaking sections will be very long.
We are looking at the option of kayak hire with or without the hire company’s assistance for transport.

“Will there be bivouacs during the race stages?”

The stages are non-stop but there will be dark zones which are impassable at night. These need to be incorporated into your race strategy and sometimes offer an opportunity to rest. Consequently, you will need the necessary equipment. Teams can stop and sleep at transition areas. As for the race regrouping bivouacs when the clock will be stopped, teams must stay in the zone reserved for them and their support teams, as stated in the race rules.



“Can sponsor representatives come to the event?”

- Sponsors can come to the villages/bivouacs, and need to request a pass from the organisers to enter the competitors’ paddock.



Céline Pommerel, who “put up with" the Aigle-Sybelles ESF team during Oman Adventure, would like to know:
“Will there be any childcare facilities during the school holidays?”



- We are working on the idea of a “Kids Camp” in order to see if such a service can be provided by a team of staff over the duration of the race. We will let you know about the results of our enquiries and the costs involved very shortly. If you are in this situation, please let us know. Please also be aware that any “Kids Camp” that we do provide will only be open to the over-sixes for legal reasons.
-
From the Air France team: “How many support staff must each team have?”

On the request of some of the teams, we have reduced the number of compulsory support staff to one. However, we advise each team to have two support staff.


Another question from the vétos: “Are teams allowed to change support staff?”

- Yes, but you must inform the race organisers about your planned change when you register.

The Vétos again: “Local sportspeople can join some of the starts in the stage villages. But who can actually participate?”

- Anyone can take part but they must register first (free of charge). We will provide more information about this.

The vétos are definitely on the ball: “Are the stage towns those indicated in the first presentation?”

- No. You will receive more information in April.





Some questions asked by competitors have demonstrated the need to restate that the entire team takes part in the whole race and that competitor / support team rotations are banned.

Answer to Régine’s question about the intensity of the course: with her background, she should be able to easily compete in one of the three categories.

Regarding distances, precise information will be provided at the beginning of April. The race will be extreme for the extreme category and doable for the other categories – we can promise them that they will push themselves to the limit but in an enjoyable and fun way.

Registrations: those of you who are slightly late sending back your team information sheets or your registration payment need to get into contact with the race organisers very quickly.

Best of luck to you all!

Gérard Fusil and the GFC team

Oman Adventure 2007 Local Teams Challenge

The final of the Oman Adventure 2007, included the traditional night stage. the two local teams from Oman A'Rustaq and Bahla made a spirited attempt to win the stage, coming in 3rd and 4th on the stage.

Later in the day on the final leg along the beach to the finish, they both dropped a place, but had done enough to retain their positions on the day.Having raced for a total of just under 23 hours


Photo Regards du Sport / Darasing (vandystadt.com)

The winners of the event were Aigle Sybelles ESF,Who were only headed once on during the second stage when they made an navigation error, having won every day, with a total time of just under 23 hours

ENS Cashan Bretagne La Post finished second as they had on every day and they were some two hours behind followed home overall by Raid In/SGTE-Ineo/suez with a 3 hour gap

A further One hour behind was A'Rustaq. Bahla's performance on the final day allowed them to rise to 6th place overall.
Gerald Fusil has once again produced a superb race in the beautiful and somtimess harsh surrounding of Oman.





Gerards Fusil believes in organising races for racers for whom it is more important that they challenge themselves than race for large pots of gold. Yes winning is important but like the Olympics of old where all you won was a laurel leaf crown.

The moment money comes into the equation rules get bent as team are driven to win and what should be friendly competition develops into an out and out battle with many claims for cheating.

The Reunion D'Aventure, and Oman adventure will be joined next year by the Raid Caneo Nature in France, to uphold the true spirit of Adventure racing





David Ogden
International Adventurers

Oman Adventure 2007 Day 4 Oman Teams close up

Oman Adventure 2007 Day 4 heralded the long distance in the history of the race 73
Kilometers. Thankfully the course followed Wadis otherwise the racers would have been
in trouble.

Photo Alain Essock

Local Omani team A'Rustaq seemed to have got back on pace finishing in third place at the end of the two stages. the reward was to regain 4th place overall. they are not expected to be able to climb any higher unless an accident befalls the teams ahead of them.

The second Oman Team Bahla, also had a good day running alongside A'Rustaq for most of the day and this has brought them back into the pack.

The leaders Aigles Sybelles ESF extended their lead by another 25 mins in the first stage of the day and then paced themselves and raced alongside the Postal team for the second stage, knowing that they have two hours in hand.

The Adventure racers in this years Oman Adventure have faced extremes of temperature from 33C - zero and of altitude when climbing Jabal Shams.Remote and sun baked tracks and lush
Wadi's.

The final is not expected to result in any changes of position for the first three
teams, however only 7 min separates 4th and 5th place, so we shall have to wait and
see.

David Ogden

International Adventurers

Oman Adventure 2007 Day 3

Photo Regards du Sport / Darasing
(vandystadt.com)

Day 3 of the Oman Adventure 2007 was divided into two stages and was easy compared with
the second day as some of the course was on tarred roads, making a total distance of 54 kilometres.

There is a big speed difference between first and last, with of course two teams classified as Adventure.

Team 74 EAGLE SYBELLES ESF remain the undisputed leaders taking another 32 minutes from the chasing Post Office team.

Team 71 RAID IN/SGTE INEO/SUEZ continued their rise up the rankings into 3rd place.

Local Team A'Rustique had a good 4th position for the day keeping in touch with team 71 but still have a lot of work to do to get pull back into 4th place overall, with around an hour to make up.

Team 77 Total were also overtaken one of the Local Omani teams Bahla.

The Oman Adventure racers are camped over at Bani Kalman


David Ogden

International Adventurers