No one
can remain insensitive to the tragedy that recently hit the
USA. In hiding behind the banner of religion, the perpetrators
of these criminal acts are a disgrace to all true Muslims.
If only in memory of the victims, it would seem right not
to give in to panic and to try and carry on one’sactivities. Before going any further, we should point
out that Jordan is not implicated in the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and has excellent relations with the United States
and France. The Desert Cup is most welcome in Jordan and the
French Embassy there is categorical that there is no security
problem in Jordan. With more than 200 competitors from around
15 countries set to take part in the Desert Cup 2001 Jordan
Telecom, the event looks set to be a success. Competition
will be fierce in all categories – in particular amongst
the men and teams. As a non-stop race is run differently from
one in stages, pacing yourself becomes of the utmost importance.
The first 104kms are sandy but you still have to keep in mind
the difficulties the last part of the race holds in store.
You’d be well advised to be in good physical shape to
deal with the challenges of the relief and weather conditions.
That said, all tactics have their merits and everyone has
their own reasons for exploiting their particular strong points.
That’s what makes this kind of race so attractive. You
can get out in front and pace yourself accordingly, set off
slowly and speed up at the end or maintain a constant average.
Some will settle for simply being one step ahead of closing
times at CP’s and whatever the time, everyone’s
main aim is to reach the finish line.
As for the 17th MDS, the enrolments
keep coming in and you shouldn’t wait till the last
minute to reserve a place. The race regulations reply to most
questions competitors ask but the Internet site www. darbaroud.com
is there to give you more detailed information. As a sport,
running is one of the activities that best symbolises liberty.
An international race such as the Desert Cup preaches tolerance
through example : men and women from all over the world live
together in mutual respect regardless of nationality, religion
or social class. This has been the spirit of AOI from the
very beginning and nothing will make it change.
AOI
TIMING DESERT CUP
Next edition 4 - 10 november 2001
DISTRESS FLARES
The race route presents no problem in terms of surveillance
or intervention. So in order not to weigh down competitors unnecessarily,
it has been decided to hand out distress flares only at CP13
(Km 159.5) where you have to negotiate a short but technical
descent. Weight of distress flare : 290 gr.
SLEEPING BAG
The compulsory sleeping bag for the race must offer enough
protection against the cold. Simple sheets and sleeping bag
shells are not considered sufficient and will therefore not
be accepted by the organisation. Modern materials mean you can
get a good balance between weight and warmth. Bags weighing
under a kilo can provide enough insulation.
DANGEROUS PRODUCTS
Gas containers are strictly forbidden
in flight regulations. Since last year, alcohol pastilles
(hexamethylenetetramine) are subject to the same restrictions
and as baggage checks have become tighter it'd be better to
find another solution. For information, "Greenheat"
products sold in GB are authorised. See www.greenheat.co.uk.
If not, you'll have to make a fire !
EMERGENCY RESERVE
The race regulations state that participants must carry 1
litre of emergency water. In addition to their regular water
containers for the race, competitors must carry 2 x 50cl containers
uniquely for this purpose (small bottles of mineral water are
not acceptable). These water reserve containers must be hermetic
and sufficiently solid to prevent any leakage before the finish
line; if not penalties will be levied.
DESERT
CUP 2001 JORDAN TELECOM - "SPECIAL COMPETITOR" PROGRAM
04 NOVEMBRE 2001 • The time at which you must be at ORLY SUD airport
will be communicated to you by post.
•You
must have a valid passport and your luggage with you
•Handing
out of tickets
•Weighing
of luggage: 20 Kgs maximum per person
•Handing-out
of road-book. Arrival at AMMAN
Those not taking the plane with AOI must be at AMMAN airport
at 14h00 (02. 00 pm).
• Immediate transfer by bus from Amman airport to
bivouac (4 hours),
• Dinner
•Arrival
at 1st bivouac and night at bivouac
05 NOV.2001
• Breakfast at bivouac ; administrative, technical
and medical checks.
Following checks: free day, lunch and dinner at bivouac.
06 to 08 NOV.2001
: THE RACE
• Beginning of self sufficiency in food: from breakfast
06th november breakfast to Petra arrival .
END OF RACE
• Transfer to hotel in Petra, collecting of personal
affaires, dinner or lunch paquet and night at hotel(1/2 pension)
09 NOV. 2001
• Breakfast at hotel.
•Free
time, lunch not provided;
•17H00prize giving ceremony - distribution of Tee-shirt- coktail Hotel
•Dinner
and night at hotel(1/2 pension)
10 NOV. 2001
• Breakfast at hotel.
• Transfer in from hotel to AMMAN airport. Departure
flight
Arrival Paris (see your flight ticket).
TIMING MARATHON DES SABLES
Next edition 05 - 15 april 2002
Enrolments will open until october
2001.
To get registered, your reservation
dossier absolutely must include all the following :
- the reservation form duly completed
- the information sheet, dated and signed
- a deposit of610 Euros
- photocopy of valid passport (with date of issue)
- a security deposit cheque 185 Euros which will not
be cashed other than in the event of penalties or dropping
out.
- 3 passport-sized photos (with name of competitor on
the back) Any incomplete dossiers will be rejected and returned
to you so don't forget anything and get your passports
renewed !
ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale
BP 98 - 10003 TROYES Cedex - FRANCE
Tél. : (33) 03 25 76 57 77 / Fax : (33) 03 25 76 87
75
E-Mail : aoi@darbaroud.com
- WEB : http://www.darbaroud.com
Sahara News number 49 realized by CIMBALY International -
Pépé et Marie
The route Up to CP9 (Km 104) the ground is essentially
sandy with an upward slope of 650m and downward slope
of 640m. The sand in Wadi Rum is no more solid than
on a beach. There is then a long, winding and undulating
piste. The zone leading up to CP10 (Km 119,2) seems
unending... The likelihood of winds begins at CP10.
At km 127.4 the ascent begins and temperatures can drop
to4°
or 5°C with winds averaging up to 80km/h. Highest
point is at km 140.3. Undulating ground up to CP13.
From CP13 (km 159.5) to the bottom of the steps (km
165.5) you have 570 steps to go down and there is 1.2km
of technical descent. Then it’s more or less flat
ground to the finish line. Total slope factor: + 1700m/ - 1700m
Claude you old devil !
Running experience: 70 marathons, 124 x 100kms, 15 x
24h races, 3 x 48h, 1 x 6-day race, 1 x 7-day and 4
x 100 milers. That’s about it really says C. BUISSON
(F). At 69 years of age, he's participating with a view
to preparing for more difficult races...
Team registrations
: Ertips : M. GRILLO (F) is one of those runners
whose strong performance speaks for itself. With Anne
HERJEAN (F) who's already run MDS and G. DIEHL (F) who
has a dazzling record, this team should finish with
a place on the podium.
Snecma Moteurs Interepargne :
Nathalie BREAN (F) and F. HUAUX (F) are experienced
runners and both have been on MDS. Along with A. DI
BENEDETTO (F) they’re planning to stick together
and all cross the finish line and see Petra. And that
extra star shining in the sky will only have eyes for
Nathalie…
Snecma CTA Controreupe : A homogenous
team whose 3 members put in a good performance on the
14th MDS. Véronique MOITIER (F), D. LEGARGASSON
(F) and S. BELLENOUE (F) are thrilled to be returning
to the desert.
Ar Roazhoniz Soja Sun : Another
superb team with Pascale MARTIN (F) female winner of
the MDS andDESERT
CUP 2000 Jordan Telecom. Her teammates D. LE MAUFF (F)
and P. RENAULT (F) aren’t bad either. They came
16th and 25th respectively in 15th MDS, plus secured
4th place in team ranking. They’re not just there
for the running - the discovery side motivates too.
To watch out for
The 26-minute film on 17th MDS made by MCM Internationalwill be broadcast on that channel on 29 October
at11H00 GMT and 03 November at 18H00 GMT.
N.B. the film will only be shown on the international
network.