Village Yougopiri (Mali) P. Bauer with Dogon children
For those that
love the celebratory side to sport there was no better spectacle
than the recent world athletics championships. We saw only
too clearly that breaking records was less important than
the emotion generated by the athletes. What joy to see two
runners hugging one another after crossing the finish line,
whether they made it onto the podium or not… What a
great lesson when a top champion shows how happy he is to
see his younger successor win! What can you say of the long-jumper
who claps out the beat of her rival's steps and how can you
explain the incredible desire to win shown by this latter
long-jumper as she secured victory on her last attempt.
And there were plenty of other unforgettable moments: the
young "sprinter" from Afghanistan in uncustomary
attire, Alain Mimoun's (F) tour of honour or Jonathan Edwards'
(GB) moving farewell. Over and above the medals, these are
the images that will remain engraved in our memories.
This is the spirit in which most of the competitors enrol
on the Desert Cup or MDS. And that's certainly why from first
to last, there's the same amountof pleasure. Those competing
in the Desert cup 2003 will discover a country full of surprises,
especially in the Dogon region where there's a strong spiritual
feel to daily life and great affinity between people and animals.
The hare just like the tortoise has plenty of admirers. Competitors
will certainly be sensitive to these beliefs; undoubtedly
feeling closer to one than the other…
Same thing for MDS. Having to pace yourself often means those
that took their time in the beginning are able to improve
their position quite considerably. And above all they finish
in good shape which is a lot more important.
Registration is open for MDS and will soon be closed for the
Desert Cup 2003. For both races, you are advised not to leave
enrolment to the last minute.
Good luck with the training and we'll be in
touch soon.
AOI.
TIMING DESERT CUP
Next edition 29th november to 06th december
2003
REGISTRATION
It is still possible to enrol on the Desert Cup 2003. Contact
AOI or your representative for more information. AOI : (33)3
25 76 57 77.
PHOTOCOPIES
It is very important to send in decent photocopies of your
passport. They're often too dark or too pale meaning the owner
can't be identified. This makes it impossible to get the visa
issued.
TEAMS
No team can register once in Mali. The name of the team and
its members must be clearly stated when the registration file
is handed in or at the very latest before 13th October when
enrolments are officially closed.
ADVENTURE
WITHOUT MISADVENTURE DESERT CUP 2003
NOT ALLOWED
Gas bottles are forbidden on flights. Competitors who count
on having hot food will have to make a fire. You can find sticks
and twigs more or less everywhere on the course and in certain
spots there is, unfortunately, only dead wood…
VACCINATIONS
Vaccination against yellow fever is obligatory for entry into
Mali. The vaccination must be less than 10 years old. It must
be done in an international vaccination centre at least 10 days
before leaving for Mali. DTPolio is also recommended.
Malarone or Savarine are recommended against malaria. Treatment
to begin the day before leaving for Mali and to be continued
throughout the race then for 7 days (for Malarone) or 4 weeks
(for Savarine) after returning home. If you are already on other
medication, you should consult a doctor. To discourage mosquito
bites, sprays on the skin and clothes work well (Insect Ecran
or Reppel Insect). Even if mosquitoes are rare outside the wet
season which ends in October, it's better to play safe and avoid
all risk of being bitten. Mosquitoes only become active after
sunset.
MOSQUITO NETS
You need an individual mosquito net to sleep under and
not the kind you use to cover your head. They can be found
in chemists. Check the necessary cords are attached so
you can hang it properly.
SLEEPING BAG
There are now fabrics on the market which provide similar
insulation to conventional sleeping bags but which weigh
much less (350g) so are attractive to some runners. AOI
is willing to authorise the use of such bags but remember
that competitors will be spending at least 2 nights on
the bivouac and perhaps as much again on the course itself.
Will such a light-weight bag be comfortable enough?
TIMING MARATHON DES SABLES
Next edition 09 - 19 april 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 n° 67 realized par CIMBALY International
Pépé et Marie - Webmaster : Cimbaly
DIFFICULTIES
Besides the distance and hilly parts, competitors will
face two main difficulties. The first is just after
CP2 (Km 25.5) where there's a ± 9% 3km climb
followed by a 2 km descent. The second is at km41 with
a ± 15% 2 km climb (including Dogon ladders and
bridges) followed by a rocky plateau then a relatively
steep descent over 1.5 km to reach CP 4 (Km 45).
WATER
Water will be handed out at 14 check-points (CPs). CPs
are less than 15km apart. The shortest distance between
CPs is 8 km and the longest 14.5 km.
Depending on the CP, 1.5 or 3 litres of water will be
distributed. You will therefore have to pace your water
intake by studying the road book.
CHECK-IN TIMES
The time limit for completing the distance is 62H. Start
time will be at 6 am. The road book distributed to competitors
will give times for going through checkpoints. CP 6
(Km 71.5) and CP 11 (Km 136,5) will have rest facilities
for those who wish. The 2 CPs must be reached before
1 a.m. and left before 6 am. on the first night then
the second night respectively.
CHECKPOINTS
They are positioned accordingly:
CP1: Km 13 – CP2: Km 25.5 – CP3: Km 37
CP4: Km 45 – CP5: Km 58 – CP6: Km 71.5
CP7: Km 84 – CP8: Km 98,5 – CP9: Km 111.5
CP10: Km 123.5 – CP11: Km 136,5
CP12: Km 150 CP13: Km 162
CP14: 170,5 Finish: Km 179
TEAMS
Legendre Bretagne Ultra : with Katell Corne (F) (winning
female in 2002), A. VALLEE (F) and P. BALARD (F) (3rd
and 13th in the general also in 2002), this is certainly
a team that's out to win. They're looking forward to
discovering a fascinating country.
Legendre Aventures Team : Brittany is indeed well represented
on the course. This team from Vitré led by Y.
ROSSIGNOL (F), came in 2nd
on MDS 2002. They're back this time with wife Christine
ROSSIGNOL (F) plus M. BESNIER (F).
SACRED SITES
The Dogons have deep respect for their ancestors and
worship nature. Trees,animals and rivers can all be
deified. You should therefore respect all sites crossed
and in particular avoid collecting any objects: however
insignificant they may seem they could be objects of
worship.
PLURIETHNIC
Mali is a meeting point of different civilisations.
In the region crossed by the course, the main ethnic
groups are the Dogon and the Peul. Founded by the Bozo
- fishermen who gather along the Niger river - the town
of Mopti is a port town where you can also encounter
many Songhaï and Bambara.
FROM SLOVENIA
Ales JURANCIC (SLO) is asking himself a question or
two. After all there are turning points in a man's life
:
A : decide to change his image.
B : go off with a younger woman.
C : run the Desert Cup in Mali.
His wife feels he made the right decision…
ENROLMENTS
The19th edition will bring together around 600 participants
from all over the world. The places for the French office
are limited to 250 (France office + countries where
AOI has no representative). It's therefore recommended
not to wait till the last moment to enrol. Last year
AOI had to turn a number of applicants away.
THE DUNES
There are a lot of sandy zones on MDS, but you shouldn't
imagine they're all just dunes. Of the 230 kms or so,
the dunes make up 15% of the course. That's still quite
some challenge considering the effort required to get
over them.
