Time: 17.-19.09.2004.
Place: Latgale
Organizers: VX Piedzīvojumu Klubs
Latvijas Alpīnistu Savienība

1. Route and check points

1.1. An adventure race VX Vidzeme 2004 (Race) consists of several legs, which must be completed in order set by judges and finding checkpoints set along the route. Legs are - biking, trekking, swimming and paddling. At any checkpoint the sub segment - Special Task - can be set, which must be completed according to rules set by judges. Total distance of the Race:

1.1.1. “Elite” class - more than 190 km (trekking >40 km)

1.1.2. “Mass” class - more than 90 km (trekking >25 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. After team has completed the biking leg bicycles must be locked using bicycle lockers and parked at transition zone marked by organisers, only after that team can be qualified for the participation in next leg. Only bike accessories (drink bottle, lights, map planchette, odometer), pump, repair set in special box and spare tube can be left with bike if they are attached to it.

1.3. Paddling. Canoe, paddles and life-jackets are provided by organizers. It is mandatory for all to wear the life-jackets! Team must keep together if the boat must be carried (portaged). It is prohibited to drag boat!

1.4. Swimming. Team crosses several water obstacles (up to 150 m wide) by swimming. 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 beggining of stage and collect after it. Team's extra equipment must fit into one (!) 100 liter plastic bag which will be given to team during registration.

1.5. Checkpoints are placed at good visibility locations and can be recognized from at least 20 m distance. From 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.

2. Team

2.1. Team members. In “Elite” class each team member 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 proxy 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 up to two registered team members will be allowed prior final team registration before start. 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 01.09.2004 (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) in “Elite” class and up to 70 (seventy) in “Mass” class.

2.3. To register the team must fill in the application form. It is mandatory that each team member personally signs the Application during registration on start place. 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 race.

2.4. Participation fee is fixed - 95.00 LVL per team in “Elite” class and 85.00 LVL per team in “Mass” class. Participation fee includes: use of race equipment (boats, sculls, ropes at obstacle segment etc.), shirts-numbers, maps, checkpoints, checkpoint cards, judges, possible emergency-medical/first aid assistance, transportation to the finish zone in case of disqualification/default, shower after finish, dinner after finish, prizes and certificates for all non disqualified participants, presents for all participants, other organisational expenses.

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

2.6. In case 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 01.08.2004. There will not be any pay-back of participation fee after 01.08.2004.

2.7. 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. Control of equipment can be done at any checkpoint during the race.

3. Start

3.1. Location of “Start” point will be published at www.vx.lv on September 13, 2004. Teams arrive to the start location by using public and/or personal means of transport.

3.2. Team registration at start location on September 17, 2004: from 19.00 till 22.00. Meeting (for team captains) will be held at 21.00:00. Upon registration team representative (captain) will receive the shirts - team numbers. Teams sequence number is set according to the registration number. Team number-shirt must be worn over all other clothes during the whole race. Violation of this rule leads to 1 (one) hour penalty time in each case and it will be added to team finish time.

3.3. Start is common for all teams in both clases at 23.00. Start corridor will be opened from 21:30 until 22:40.

3.3.1. At start corridor judges will check mandatory equipment. Team will receive first leg map. Team can not leave the start corridor before the start is given. Start positions are set according to the teams’ registration number.

3.3.2. One mobile phone (working in LMT network) 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. Usage of the telephone will be reason for teams’ disqualification.

3.4. After start signal team leaves bikes locked together at start area and goes by foot to checkpoint KP 0, where receives Checkpoint Card. Team must mark all other checkpoints and hidden checkpoints in the checkpoint card during the Race. When checkpoint card has been got, team returns to Start area, unlocks bikes and proceeds into first leg - biking.

3.5. Late arriving teams will be accepted to late start until 24.00, but the time count will start from common start time.

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 leg 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. Map or raodbook (for orienteering by legend) of next leg will be given after completing the previous leg.

4.2.2. All team members must arrive at 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 raodbook for orienteering by legend (given directions, orienteers and distances) it means that hidden checkpoints 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 hard accessible place (tree, rock, building) providing of belay using mandatory equipment is up to teams decision.

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, 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.), 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 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 transportation to finish must be organised.

4.7. External help of any kind (food deliveries, organisation of rest places etc.) is strictly prohibited and will lead to immediate teams disqualification. Exception - team can use help of another team.

4.8. It’s strictly prohibited to leave in the distance the equipment mentioned in Rules as “Team 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 fireplaces (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

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

5.2. Finish (control) time is limited. After expiration of the control time teams who are still continuing the route must contact organisers using emergency mobile phone and provide organisers with information about teams location and must proceed to the closest evacuation zone (EZ) marked on the map. Organisers will provide transportation to the finish zone.

5.2.1. “Elite” class control time is 48 (fourty eight) hours after the common start time. Deadline for finish time is 23:00, September 19.

5.2.2. “Mass” class control time is 24 (twenty four) hours after the common start time. Deadline for finish time is 23:00, September 18.

5.3. 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 next leg.

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 control card and shirts-team numbers.

6. Prizes and prize giving ceremony

6.1. First six teams will be rewarded in each class. Prize giving ceremony is held 3 (three) hours after the finish of the sixt team in each class. All successful race participants who have completed all course and have not been disqualified will receive certificate for successful participation at adventure race.

6.2. Objections must be issued in written not later then two hours after teams 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.

APPENDIX Application Form

APPENDIX Team Equipment

Team must present mandatory equipment before the start and carry it until the finish. * Mandatory minimum of equipment required per team. Without it, team will not be allowed to race. ** Must lock together all four team bikes *** Only for “Elite” class teams. Mentioned amount of equipment is minimum (for two persons) which allows to complete rope sections. For greater efficiency and speed organizers recommend double amount of equipment. **** Sterile bandage (1 pack.), pain relief medicaments (like Paracetamol, 1 pack.).