Rules
Time: August 18-20 2006
Place: Riga, city and region, Latvia
Organizers: City Adventure Agency, E-mail:
Official languages: Latvian and English
1. Route and check points
1.1. An adventure race Riga CHALLENGE 2006 (further in text as Race) consists of several stages, which must be completed according to the order set by judges,following the legend or freely orienting if not set otherwise,and finding checkpoints set along the route. Main activities are - biking, trekking, swimming and paddling (for "Elite" class and "Sport" class also roller skating). During any checkpoint or in between them the sub segment - Special Task - can be set, which must be completed according to the rules set by judges. Total distance of the Race:
1.1.1. "Elite" class - more than 300 km (trekking >60 km)
1.1.2. "Sport" class - more than 180 km (trekking >40 km)
1.1.3. "Mass" class - more than 80 km (trekking >20 km)
1.2. Biking. Competitors must follow the traffic regulations when riding on public roads. It is a mandatory that all team members wear helmets. Red rear light must be switched on during the dark time of the day. When the biking stage is completed bicycles must be locked using bicycle lockers and parked at transition zone marked by organizers, only after completing that team can be qualified for the participation in next leg. Only bike accessories (repair kit, spare inner tube, drink bottle, lights, map holder, odometer), pump, repair set in special box and spare tube can be left with bike if they are attached to it.
1.3. Paddling. Boats and paddles are provided by organizers (life-jackets also for some classes). It is mandatory for all to wear the life-jackets! Team must keep together in boat if not specified other. If boat has to be carried (portaged), it is prohibited to drag it!
1.4. Swimming. Must be done in places, specified by organizers (sea, lake or river). It is mandatory for all to wear the life-jackets during the swimming! Team can use extra equipment for this stage - fins, neopren suits, floating devices (boats are forbidden!). Organizers will bring this equipment to the beginning of stage and collect after that. Team's extra equipment must fit into one (!)plastic bag of capacity 100 liters, which will be given to the team during the registration before the Race.
1.5. Roller skating. Participate the whole team in Elite class, only 2 members from Sport class. Competitors must follow the traffic regulations when roller skating on public roads: crossing the roads only where it is allowed for the pedestrians. It is a mandatory that all team members wear helmets. Team's extra equipment must fit into one (!) plastic bag of capacity 50 liters, which will be given to the team during the registration before the Race. When achieving the finish of roller skating stage, the team must left the equipment in the place set by organizers. After completing that they can pass the next stage.
1.6. Checkpoints are generally placed at locations of good visibility and can be recognized from at least 15 m distance. This rule does not apply to checkpoints that are placed in specific hidden areas which must be searched - ruins, dwells, pits etc. For better recognition during night hours reflective elements have been added. Sample of checkpoint can be seen before the Race at Registration Desk in Start area. Check points must be found according the numeration in increasing order if not set otherwise.
2. Team
2.1. Team members: 4 persons, both genders must be present. "Elite" and "Sport" class participants must be at least 18 years of age at the start day. In "Mass" class participants aged 17 have been allowed if they can show signed and notarialy certified permit from parents. Team consists of four members. Both genders must be represented in each team. All registered team members must cross both start and finish lines. Substitution of team members before the Race can be done only with confirmation of organizers.
2.2. Registration of the team and payment of participation fee due date is July 14, 2006 (more information by phone: +371 9121166 or by e-mail:). Number of teams in each class is limited up to: 30 (thirty) in "Elite" class, 40 (forty) in "Sport" class and 50 (fifty) in "Mass" class.
2.3. "Elite" class teams must be experienced enough to finish the Race. At least three team members must have been completed any of the previous VX (Latvia) races in "Elite" class or any similar international race with at least 30 hour racing time.
2.4. To register for the Race team must fill and send in an applicationform (including data about the title of the team, names of the team members and their birth dates) and pay participation fee. Confirmation and account number will be sent to all applicants after the application form will be sent in.
2.5. Participation fee in Latvian lats(approximate exchange rate): 1 Euro = ~0,7 LVL
2.5.1. "Elite" class - LVL 140 (if applying after June 1st- LVL 160)
2.5.2. "Sport" class - LVL 120 (if applying after June 1st- LVL 140)
2.5.3. "Mass" class - LVL 100 (if applying after June 1st- LVL 120)
2.5.4. Participation fee includes: use of race equipment (boats, paddles, rope tasks etc.), shirts-numbers, maps, checkpoints, checkpoint cards, job of judges, possible emergency-medical/first aid assistance, transportation to the finish zone in case of disqualification/withdraw, possibility to use shared premises for rest,shower after finish, light lunch before the start and dinner after finish, prizes and certificates for all non disqualified participants, presents for all participants, other organizational expenses.
2.6. In case the registered team decides to withdraw its participation in the race, team gets 50% pay-back of participation fee if the withdrawal has been made before the June 1. There will not be any pay-back of participation fee after June 1.
2.7. Equipment mentioned in "Team equipment" is a mandatory and must be supplied by the team. Without the above-mentioned equipment, team will not be allowed for the race. Control of equipment can be done by judges at any checkpoint during the race and if anything missing the team can be disqualified.
3. Start
3.1. Location of "Start" place will be published on July 14, 2006. Teams arrive to the start location by using transport provided by organizers.
3.2. Team registration at Competition centre (location will be published on August 11, 2006.) on August 18, 2006. “Elite” and “Sport” class: from 9:00till 10:30. Meeting (for team captains) will be held at 11:30.Skill test for participants from “Elite” and “Sport” class will be held from 12:00 till 19:00. Registration for “Mass” class at start place will be held from 16:00 till 17:30. Meeting (for team captains) will be held at 18:30. Upon registration team representatives (captains) will receive the shirts-numbers. Shirt-number must be worn over all other clothes during the whole race. This rule applies also to swimming stages. Violation of this rule leads to 1 (one) hour penalty time in each case and it will be added to the total team finish time.
3.3. Start is common for all teams in all classes at 18.08.2006, 23:00. Start corridor will be opened from 20:30 till 21:00.
3.3.1. At start corridor judges will check mandatory equipment. Team will receive first stage map (it is not waterproof!) and Roadbook for the Race. Team can not leave the start corridor before the start is given. Start positions are set according to the teams’ registration order.
3.3.2. One mobile phone is required per team. At the start corridor team will receive emergency telephone number. Telephone must be placed in the case in "OFF" position.
3.3.3.At 21:30 participants will be escorted to the Race start place.
4. Race
4.1. Team must keep together during the entire race within the visibility area and distance between team members can not exceed 100 m. Bikes and boat if used in stage also must be in visibility area of team. Violation of this rule leads to 1 (one) hour penalty time in each case and it will be added to team finish time. Long-term absence of one or more team members during the race will be qualified as the violation of the Rules and team can be disqualified.
4.2. Attendance of checkpoints:
4.2.1. Team will get information about next stage checkpoints only after completion of the previous one. There are two types of checkpoints - route checkpoints (KP) and hidden checkpoints (SL).
4.2.2. All team members must arrive at route checkpoints (KP). If checkpoint is set on coast of water reservoir, all team members must arrive on coast where checkpoint is located.
4.2.3. If the mandatory route has been marked on the map (river, lake cost, road etc. marked with dotted red line) or team has received roadbook for orienteering by legend (given directions, orientiers and distances) it means that hidden checkpoints (SL) can be set along the route. Team must keep close to the marked route at around 5 m area. If hidden checkpoint is set on coast of water reservoir, it is allowed that some team members stay on opposite coast if it not overruns 100 m distance rule.
4.2.4. If checkpoint is placed at hardly accessible place (tree, rock, building) providing of belay using mandatory equipment is up to team’s decision.
4.3. Team must make remarks (stamps) of all checkpoints in a checkpoint card.
For every missing hidden checkpoint (SL) team will receive 1 (one) hour penalty to be counted as extra to the total team’s finish time. Team can be disqualified if no remarks for more than 2 (two) hidden checkpoints. For missing route checkpoint (KP) team will be disqualified or receive 2 (two) hour penalty to be counted as extra to the total team’s finish time. Decision will be made by judges.
Judges are set along the course for race controlling. Judges have the rights to disqualify team if it overrules the Rules (like: usage of any other means of transportation not mentioned in the Rules of the race, damaging or hiding checkpoints). Lost checkpoint card means team’s disqualification!
4.4. Each team member takes personal responsibility on ability to participate and/or continue the race. Organizers after consultations with qualified medical personnel, keep the rights to stop any team either to start or to continue the race. During the Race it is team’s responsibility to provide the first aid to team members if necessary! If team withdraws it can use emergency mobile phone to call organizers of the race (qualified medical assistance will be provided).
4.5. Team must help in emergency situation if asked by any other team. In this case time spent to help will be counted out of team’s finish time based on judge evaluation and witness information.
4.6. Usage of different communication means (mobile phones, radio phones etc.), usage of GPS device and usage of any cartographical material which is not issued by organizers during the race is strictly prohibited and will lead to the team’s immediate disqualification.
4.7. External help of any kind (food deliveries, organization of rest places etc.) is strictly prohibited and will lead to immediate team’s disqualification. Exception - team can use help of another team.
4.8. It’s strictly prohibited to leave on the course the equipment mentioned in Rules as "Team equipment" and any garbage or leftovers (food, medical and equipment packaging, hygiene products, any other equipment, clothing or its parts etc.). It is strictly prohibited to make fireplaces in forests and other inappropriate places.
5. Finish
5.1. Finish line is located at Start-Finish zone. After crossing the finish line, team delivers checkpoint card to judges.
5.2. Finish (control) time is limited. After expiration of the control time teams who are still on route must contact organizers using emergency mobile phone and provide them with information about team’s location and must proceed to the evacuation place. Organizers will provide transportation to the finish zone.
5.2.1. "Elite" class control time is 48 (forty eight) hours after the common start time. Deadline for finish time is 23:00, August20.
5.2.2. "Sport" class control time is 36 (thirty six) hours after the common start time. Deadline for finish time is 11:00, August20.
5.2.3. "Mass" class control time is 24 (twenty four) hours after the common start time. Deadline for finish time is 23:00, August19.
5.3. Control times can be set for some stages. If team exceeds this time it will continue by shortened course. If there is set start time of some stage and team arrives earlier it will be stopped and may wait at transition zone. Time of waiting will be cut out of teams finish time.
5.4. In case if team does not reach the finish line its place in final classification will be set according to the last reached checkpoint.
5.5. After the finish or even in case of withdrawal team must return to judges checkpoint card and shirts-numbers. In exchange it will receive dinner coupons and race souvenirs.
6. Prizes and award ceremony
First six teams will be rewarded in each class. Prize giving ceremony is held in 3 (three) hours after the finish of the sixth team in each class. Total prize pool value - 3000 Euro. All successful race participants who have completed full course and have not been disqualified will receive certificate for successful participation at adventure race (place and time of receiving will be announced electronically after the finish of the entire Race).
7. Objections
Objections must be issued in written form not later then two hours after team’s finish time. In case of any objections/complaints, organizers will accept application only from one team representative (team captain). Complaints and objections applied after the finish time will not be accepted. If any situations not described in the Rules of the Race happen during the Race, decision will be made by the chief judge.
8. Changes in Rules
Organisers keep the rights to make small adjustments in Rules notifying team representative (captain).
Mandatory and recommended equipment
Mandatory - minimum of equipment required per team. Without it, team will not be allowed to Race.
Eliteclass / Sport
class / Mass
class
MANDATORY
Bicycle / 4 pcs. / 4 pcs. / 4 pcs.
Red rear light for bike / 4 pcs. / 4 pcs. / 4 pcs.
Sertified biking or climbing helmet / 4 pcs. / 4 pcs. / 4 pcs.
Odometer / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs.
Bike lock * / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs.
Roller skates / 4 sets / 2 sets
Safety jacket (life jacket) / 4 pcs. / 2 pcs.
Digital photo camera (charged) / X
Mobile phone (charged) / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs.
Compass / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs.
Writing tool (pen or pencil) / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs.
Backpack / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs.
Pocket or head light / 4 pcs. / 4 pcs. / 4 pcs.
Climbing rope (min. diameter 8 mm, min. lengths 20 m) / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs.
Climbing harness / 4 pcs. / 2 pcs.
Loops (min size - 60 mm) / 8 pcs. / 4 pcs.
Carabiners / 12 pcs. / 6 pcs.
Sleeping bag or survival blanket (min size 150x210 cm) / 4 pcs. / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs.
Water reservoir (min. volume 1,5 l) / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs. / 2 pcs.
Knife (folded or in case) / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs.
First aid equipment ** / 1 set / 1 set / 1 set
* Must lock together all four team bikes
** Sterile bandage (1 pack.), pain relief medicaments (like Paracetamol, 1 pack.)
RECOMMENDED
Pads for knees and elbows for roller skating / 4 sets / 2 sets
Waterproof case for digital camera / X
Waterproof case for map and check point card / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs.
Spare batteries for head lights / 2 sets / 2 sets / 1 sets
Bike repair set, bike pump / 1 set / 1 set / 1 set
Equipment for swimming (fins, neoprens etc.) / 4 pcs. / 2 pcs.
Waterproof case for equipment and clothing/food / 1 set / 1 set / 1 set
Food for 4 persons / 4 sets / 2 sets / 1 set
Adhesive tape / 1 pack / 1 pack / 1 pack
Warming gel/salve / 1 pack / 1 pack / 1 pack
Sport drinks / 2 packs / 1 pack / 1 pack
Anti-mosquito spray / 2 pcs. / 1 pcs. / 1 pcs.