(5.08.2002)

Adventure Race VX Autumn 2002

Rules

1.1. Total distance of the adventure race (Race):

1.1.1. “Elite” class ~ 120 km
Race course contains several legs – biking (~70 km), trekking (~40 km) and paddling (~6 km). In between of each leg the sub segment – obstacle crossing can be set, crossing/completion of this sub segment is necessary to all team members according to rules set by judges.

1.1.2. . “Mass” class ~ 60 km
Race course contains several legs – biking (~40 km), trekking (~20 km). In between of each leg the sub segment – obstacle crossing can be set, crossing/completion of this sub segment is necessary to all team members according to rules set by judges.

1.2. Biking legs must be completed according to the route marked on the map or by free orienteering in the region in case the organisers have not set the route. Checkpoints are set along the route. It is mandatory that team makes the marks with special marker in the checkpoint card at the Checkpoints. Checkpoints can be recognized from around 20m distances and are placed at good visibility locations. It is a mandatory that all team members wear helmets during the biking leg. After team has completed the biking leg and returned to Start-Finish zone, bicycles must be locked using bicycle lockers and parked at parking place marked by organisers, only after that team can be qualified for the participation in next leg.

1.3. Trekking (hiking) legs must be completed according to the route marked on the map or by free orienteering in the region in case the organisers have not set the route. Checkpoints are set along the route. It is mandatory that team makes marks with the marker in the checkpoint card at the Checkpoints. Checkpoints can be recognized from around 20m distances (in case of bad visibility – night, heavy rain etc. – from around 15m) and are placed at good visibility locations.

1.4. Paddling legs (only “Elite” class) must be completed according to the route marked on the map or by free orienteering in the region in case the organisers have not set the route. Checkpoints are set along the route. It is mandatory that team makes marks with the markers in the checkpoint card at the Checkpoints. Checkpoints can be recognized from around 20m distances and are placed at good visibility locations. All team members at a time are allowed to seat in boat and it is mandatory for all team members to wear the life-jackets! Two team members wearing life-jackets can walk along the coastline if pulling of the boat along water reservoir is preferable. Team must keep together if the boat must be carried (over the land surface).

2. Team

2.1. Team members: Each team member must be at least 18 years of age at the start day. 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 up to two registered team members will be allowed prior final team registration before start. Substitution must be agreed with organisers and all official documentation must be fulfilled. Exchange of team members without prior agreement with organisers is not allowed. Disqualification or default of one or more team members during the race leads to disqualification of the whole team.

2.2. Deadline for registration of the team and participation fee payment due date is 24.09.2002 (more information available by ph.: +371-9234322 or by e-mail: vertikalex@ri.lv). Number of teams in each class is limited up to 50 (fifty).

2.3. To register the team every member must fill in the application form (Appendix “Application form”). It is mandatory that each team member personally signs the Application. By signing Application, each member takes personal responsibility for his/her health state and insurance (advisable) and agrees not to overrule the Rules of adventure races “VX Autumn 2002”.

2.4. Participation fee is fixed - 75.00 LVL per team in “Elite” class and 55.00 LVL per team in “Mass” class. Participation fee includes: use of race equipment (boats, sculls, life-jackets, ropes at obstacle segment), shirts-team numbers, maps, checkpoints, checkpoint cards, judges, drinks before start and after finish, possible emergency-medical/first aid assistance, transportation to the finish zone in case of disqualification/default, sauna and shower after finish, dinner after finish, prizes and certificates for all non disqualified participants, other organisational expenses.

2.5. 5% discount applies to all members of Latvian Alpinist Association.

2.6. Equipment mentioned in Appendix “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. Team chooses the bicycle type to be used for biking legs.

3. Start

3.1. Location of “Start” point will be published at www.vertikalex.lv on September 30, 2002. Teams arrive to the start location by using public and/or personal means of transport.

3.2. Team registration at start location starts on October 5, 2002.

3.2.1. “Elite” class registration takes place from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.

3.2.2. “Mass” class registration takes place from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

3.2.3. Upon registration team representative (captain) will receive the shirts - team numbers. Teams sequence number is set according to the registration number, which is given to the team upon payment of participation fee. Team number-shirt must be worn during the race at all times. Exceptions will be accepted only where team members must cross the water reservoirs.

3.3. Start is common for all the teams in any class.

3.3.1. “Elite” class start time is set at 10:00 a.m. Start corridor will be opened from 8:40 a.m. until 9:40 a.m. and all teams must arrive at this time for mandatory “Team equipment” check. Judges will check mandatory equipment. Team will receive first leg map and checkpoint card at the start corridor. Team must mark checkpoints and hidden checkpoints in the checkpoint card for all legs. Team cannot leave the start corridor before the start is given. Start positions are set according to the teams’ registration number.

3.3.2. “Mass” class start time is set at 12:00 a.m. Start corridor will be opened from 10:40 a.m. until 11:40 a.m. and all teams must arrive at this time for mandatory “Team equipment” check. Judges will check mandatory equipment. Team will receive first leg map and checkpoint card at the start corridor. Team must mark checkpoints and hidden checkpoints in the checkpoint card for all legs. Team cannot leave the start corridor before the start is given. Start positions are set according to the teams’ registration number.

3.4. Late arriving teams will be accepted to late start until 12:30, but the time count will start from common start time.

3.5. One mobile phone is required per team. At the start corridor team will receive case for mobile phone and safety sticker as well as emergency telephone number. Telephone must be placed in the case in “OFF” position. Use of the telephone will be reason for teams’ disqualification.

4. Race

4.1. Team must keep together during the entire race within the visibility area. Bikes and boat if used in leg also must be in visibility area of team. 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. Before beginning of the next leg each team will receive the map for respective leg at the start-finish zone. Team representative (captain) will be informed about the checkpoints and their recognition. If the route (river, lake cost, road etc.) has been marked on the map it means that hidden checkpoints can be along the route. Team must keep close to the marked route at around 5m distances.

4.3. Team must make remarks on checkpoint card also at the hidden checkpoints. For every unmarked hidden checkpoint, team will receive 1 (one) penalty hour to be counted as extra to the total teams finish time. Team can be disqualified if no remarks for more than 2 (two) hidden checkpoints. It is the must for each team to make remarks at all marked on the map checkpoints. Team can be disqualified or granted to 2 (two) penalty hours counted to the total teams finish time if no remarks for one marked on the map checkpoint.

Judges are set also for race controlling. Judges has 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 “VX Spring 2002”, for damaging or hiding checkpoints). Lost checkpoint card means immediate teams disqualification!

4.4. It is teams responsibility to provide the first aid to team members if necessary! In case of medical emergency usage of emergency mobile phone is allowed in order to reach organisers of the race (qualified medical care will be provided). Each team member takes personal responsibility on ability to participate and/or continue the race. After consultations with qualified medical personal organisers, keep the rights to stop the team either to start or to continue the race.

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.) and usage of GPS during the race is strictly prohibited and will lead to the teams’ immediate disqualification. The emergency mobile phone can be used only in order to reach the organisers if the qualified medical care must be provided to one or more team members or in case the team decides to discontinue/disqualify for the race and further motorised transportation must be organised.

4.7. Any kind of external help (food deliveries, organisation of rest places etc.) is strictly prohibited and will lead to immediate teams disqualification.

4.8. It is strictly prohibited to leave in the distance the equipment mentioned in Rules as “Team equipment”, “Emergency/first aid equipment” and any other garbage or leftovers (food, medical and equipment packaging, hygiene products, any other equipment, clothing or its parts etc.). It is strictly prohibited to make fire places (usage of gas stove is recommended for water heating or food preparation). Organisers recommend filtering the drinking water taken from natural or artificial water reservoirs.

5. Finish line

5.1. Finish line is located at Start-Finish corridor. After crossing the finish line, team delivers checkpoint card to judges and presents the equipment mentioned in “Team equipment” and “Emergency/First aid equipment” as well as closed mobile phone case with unbroken safety sticker.

5.2. Finish (control) time is limited:

5.2.1. “Elite” class control time is 32 (thirty two) hours after the common start time. Teams will be disqualified if total route not completed within the above mentioned control time. After expiration of the control time (October 06, 2002 at 06:00 p.m.) teams who have not completed the race and are still continuing the route must contact organisers using emergency mobile phone and provide organisers with information about teams location and must continue the route to the closest organised pick up place marked in the maps. Organisers then will provide transportation for disqualified teams to the start-finish zone.

5.2.2. “Mass” class control time is 12 (twelve) hours after the common start time. Teams will be disqualified if total route not completed within the above mentioned control time. After expiration of the control time (October 06, 2002 at 00:00 a.m.) teams who have not completed the race and are still continuing the route must contact organisers using emergency mobile phone and provide organisers with information about teams location and must continue the route to the closest organised pick up place marked in the maps. Organisers then will provide transportation for disqualified teams to the start-finish zone.

5.3. Start of the paddling leg is allowed only during the light time of the day. Chronometer time will be stopped if some team will arrive to paddling leg before the allowed start time. Team must wait in the waiting zone of leg until judges will allow continuing the race.

5.4. If the time limit is not enough for the team to finish the distance within the set control time organisers keep the rights to stop the team before continuing distance for the paddling leg.

6. Prizes and prize giving ceremony

6.1. Prize giving ceremony is held 2 (two) hours after the finish of the third team in each class. All successful race participants who have completed all segments and have not been disqualified will receive certificate for successful participation at adventure race “VX Autumn 2002”. Prize of the value more than 300.00 LVL will be awarded to the team showing the best total time performance/result in “Elite” class. Second and third best teams will be awarded with valuable prizes. Organisers reserve the rights to reward other teams for special nominations.

6.2. All objections must be issued in written before the finish time. In case of any objections/complaints, organisers will accept application only from one team representative (team captain). Complaints and objections applied after the finish time will not be accepted.

7. Changes in statement.

7.1. Organisers reserve the rights to make small adjustments in Rules notifying team representative (captain) about in advance.