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.
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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
