Many runners
are now dreaming of testing themselves on Moroccan soil during
the 19th Marathon des Sables, but they’ll have to wait
till April 2004 to do so. Meanwhile the DESERT CUP 2003 will
give many competitors the chance to discover Mali.
Amongst the Dogon, the notion of African wisdom is not just
a term. Each village has its own sort of discussion chamber
called a TOGU'NA. It’s built with a surprisingly low
ceiling
meaning you’re forced to sit down to hold a discussion.
Angry gestures therefore become impossible as is getting up
too quickly unless you want to bang your head. …
It’s easy to make contact with people in Mali. You often
bump into a long line of women coming back from the market.
They may be weighed down and covering long distances but will
still stop and greet you with a wave and a smile. It’s
also far from rare to see children burst into song, clapping
to beat out the rhythm.
In the heart of Savannah country the Peul people have a natural
beauty and dignity, however poor they may be. The area is
remote and they live on next to nothing in modest straw huts.
Despite it all, their sense of hospitality is genuine. Even
if children are sometimes frightened by the sight of a toubab
(from tout blanc meaning « all white »), the first
thought of adults is to offer guests a calabash (gourd)
of water then worry about them being hungry. When you remember
how little food they have and the kilometres they cover to
fetch water, these gestures take on real meaning.
Discovering areas virtually uncharted by tourists is an experience
not to be missed. ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale is
delighted to offer competitors the chance to do just that
in a region where traditions have remained as intact as the
thousand year old village dwellings.
So rendezvous late November for a true sporting challenge.
Mali’s people are sure to make an impression on you
– every bit as strong as the beautiful and difficult
course itself.
Hope you all have a good summer. We’ll
be in touch soon
AOI
TIMING DESERT CUP
Next edition 29th november to 06th december
2003
WARNING
By the end of July many enrolment files have already been
registered, suggesting you’ll have to come forward quickly
to be sure of taking part in this new race which will rapidly
mark the world of adventure sport. You should remember that
the closing date for reservations is 03/09/2003. After this
date, you should contact your representant to find out if
there are still places available.
SURVIVAL KIT
No one should venture into the desert without water and food
reserves. The race rules stipulate that, in addition to a
gourd or water flask, competitors bring 1 litre of water divided
between 2x 50cl solid, water-tight containers (not mineral
water bottles which can be pierced too easily) plus 2000 separately
packaged calories. The two water flasks and 2000 calories
will be sealed by the organisation.
OBJECTIVE In order to establish racer’s calorie needs,
competitors chose from 4 objectives laid out in a table (see
race regulations). You are advised to be realistic about your
performance because if you don’t make your time you’ll
receive a 1 hour penalty. Energy drinks are not taken into
account as they’re too complicated to evaluate, particularly
once no longer in their original packaging.
Very important : the sheet with objectives forms part of the
registration file.
ADVENTURE
WITHOUT MISADVENTURE DESERT CUP 2003
CALORIES
Competitors’ energy needs are to be measured in kilocalories
(Kcal). If the product only shows kilojoules (Kj), you should
divide the Kj by 4.2 to work out the Kcal
e.g. 1730 Kj = 412 Kcal.
Energy drink powders are not counted in the 2000 calories/day
as they are often non-packaged, making it near-impossible for
doctors to know their calorie content.
SLEEPING BAG
A sleeping bag is obligatory for the race and must provide a
minimum of comfort and warmth necessary for recuperation. The
organisation will not accept simple sheets and oversheets. A
sleeping bag weighing less than a kg, can still provide enough
protection for Mali.
MOSQUITO NET
The mosquito net forms part of competitors’ obligatory
equipment. Although mosquitoes are rare outside the rainy
season which finishes in October, it is better to be careful
and avoid all risk of being bitten. Individual mosquito
nets can be bought in chemists or in travel and sports
shops. Mosquitoes only become active after sunset.
CURRENCY
Malian currency is the CFA Franc. In souvenir shops and
hotels you can pay for things in euros. At the end of
the race, you’ll be able to change money in MOPTI.
100 F CFA = 0, 001 Euro.
TIMING MARATHON DES SABLES
Next edition : 9th to 19th april 2004
Enrolments will open until october
2003.
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 66 realized by CIMBALY International -
Pépé and Marie
Pépé et Marie - Webmaster : Cimbaly
SAHARA NEWS
This double issue covers the months of July and August.
The next issue will be sent in September.
DESERT CUP VISA
Good news! Following an agreement with the Malian authorities,
AOI is pleased to inform competitors leaving on the
Paris flight that their visas will be directly issued
on arrival in Mali. It is therefore no longer necessary
to send in your passport as stated in Article 24 of
the race regulations.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE ?
Many runners ask themselves this question. It is certainly
preferable to be well prepared but without underestimating
the difficulties of the race, you do not have to be
an exceptional runner to finish the DESERT CUP. With
62 hours to complete the 179 km, you can have 10 hours
rest and finish at a rate of under 3.5 km/h…
KEEP IN TOUCH Competitors sometimes find it hard to find people
to form a mixed team. The www.darbaroud.com web site
and its Forum can help with this, as can a simple phone
call to AOI.
AFRICAN WILDLIFE
The region crossed is not one of those frequented by
Mali’s many elephants. The race route does however
go near a lake with around 300 crocodiles, but there’s
no real danger as they’re totem animals of the
village of AMANI and are used to living alongside people.
Many birds nest in the region including the magnificent
blue-feathered rollers and black swans. There are also
many buzzards and wader birds.
THE COURSE
179 km long, the itinerary crosses Dogon country and
the Peul territories of the Malian savannah. Sandy,
hilly zones: 27.5 km; narrow paths: 22 km; very steep
mountain paths: 11 km; crossing of villages: 6.5 km;
crossing of dry Sahelien forests: 21 km; sandy or laterite
tracks:
91 km
TEAMS
In order to be ranked, teams have to remain mixed (at
least one man and one woman) and made up of a minimum
of 3 competitors. You can therefore be a team of 4,
5 or more providing you observe the mixed rule.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The race regulations are designed to ensure the course
goes off well. Penalties are obviously not handed out
for fun but in response to the main priorities of the
race: runners’ safety, sporting ethics and respect
for the environment. It is therefore better to read
the race rules carefully to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
OFFICES ABROAD
From now on Lisa SMITH-BATCHEN will be the official
representative for the United Sates and Korea. Having
participated twice, including victory in 1999, she’s
well placed to fulfil her role.
Competitors from The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden
and Finland are now officially represented by Pieter
PEEREBOOM. He participated in the 18th MDS and DC 2002.
A warm welcome to Lisa and Pieter.
ANNUAL LEAVE
The AOI and CIMBALY International offices will be closed
from 11 August to 1 September 2003.
Concerning registration files sent to AOI during this
period, dossiers will be registered in the order they
were received according to the postmark.
