PARTICIPANT INFO, RULES AND GEAR
General info
Race director is Markus Siivola // info@saimaachallenge.fi // +358 44 3337307
The competition has five series, from longest to shortest: Extreme, Challenge, Night Challenge, Adventure and Explore.
All classes are competed in teams of two.
The route will be completed according to the route book. Teams will receive the route book with the competition material. The route book explains, among other things, how to proceed in the different stages of the competition (cycling, running, kayaking).
In all series teams will move forward by orienteering on foot, by bike, and by kayak. In addition, the competition includes few quest tasks, which are completed according to the organizer's instructions.
Competition center
The competition center is the Ukonniemi baseball/skiing stadium. The address of the competition center is Ottelukatu 9, Imatra.
Parking in the immediate vicinity of the competition center on a sandy field.
The competition center offers space for route planning, washing and dressing rooms, and post-race dining. The finish line is right in the heart of the competition center. A map of the competition center's services will be available well in advance of the event.
Preliminary schedule
Extreme-class
Friday 24th of July
17.30 Material ditstibution for teams
19.20 Transition to the start
20.00 Start of the race
Saturday 25th of July
11.30 Winners at the Finnish
Night Challenge-class
Friday 24th of July
17.30 Material ditstibution for teams
19.20 Transition to the start
20.00 Start of the race
Saturday 25th of July
02.00 Winners at the Finnish
Challenge-class
Saturday 25th of July
06.00 Material ditstibution
08.00 Start
15.00 Winners at the Finnish
Adventure Series
Saturday 25th of July
08.00 Material ditstibution
10.00 Start
15.00 Winners at the Finnish
Explore-class
Saturday 25th of July
09.00 Material ditstibution
11.00 Start
15.30 Winners at the Finnish
Enjoy-class
Saturday 25th of July
10.00 Material ditstibution
12.00 Start of the race
15.00 Winners at the Finnish
Common times
Saturday 25th of July
18.30 Prize giving (preliminary time)
21.00 Deadline to Finnish
22.00 Competition center closes
Registration, participation fees and content of the fee
Read more about registration, the content of the participation fee, and the terms and conditions on a separate page.
Control point flags and punching at checkpoints
The control points have the orange-white flags that are used in orienteering. There is a model control point in the competition center.
An electronic Sportident (SI-card) system is used in competition to punch the control points. Teams in the Explore, Adventure, Night Challenge and Challenge series will receive one SI-card for the competition when the material is distributed, and teams in the Extreme series will receive one for each competitor.
In the Extreme class, both team members are given their own SI-cards, which must be punched by both competitors at each control point.
In other classesthe team is given only one SI-card. Organizers will provide you a wristband for you to attach the SI-card on your wrist. You get them in race material distribution.
The team is responsible for any lost SI-card. A fee of 90 € will be charged for any lost or unreturned stick.
The team must ensure that the SI-card is reset properly when moving to the start. This is advised to everyone at the start.
Maps, route planing and prepearing for the race
The maps used in the competition are mostly custom-made for this event. They are based on open data from the National Land Survey of Finland, and every effort has been made to verify all tracks, paths, and roads that competitors might use, ensuring the maps reflect reality as accurately as possible. Map scales vary between 1:2000 – 1:25000.
For route planing we have reserved limited amount of tables for racers to use
Every team is given two sets of maps. Maps distributed during the race may be limited to one copy per team.
Teams are responsible for protecting their maps and other race materials during the competition. We recommend using orienteering map bags taped shut at the opening, or clear contact plastic.
GPS tracking
Teams will be provided with GPS tracking devices along with their race materials. Teams must carry the GPS tracker throughout the entire race, securely attached to a backpack. It is the team's responsibility to ensure that the GPS tracker is fully waterproofed. acording to this guide. Team is responsible for missing or broken device. A fee of 200 € will be charged for any lost, broken or unreturned device.
Every teams GPS is visible to the public after the race begins https://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/.
Kayaking
The kayaking section will be completed using Star Duo kayaks provided by the organizer. In the Adventure and Explore categories, canoes might also be available.
Each team will be provided with one kayak, two paddles, and two life jackets. Using your own paddles and life jackets is permitted in all categories. Instructions regarding the delivery of personal paddling gear to the start of the paddling section will be provided for all categories on Friday evening.
Using a personal floating device on the kayaking stage is mandatory
Gear
Team mandatory equipment
- SI-card (provided by organizer, must be returned)
- GPS tracker attached to top of backpack (provided by organizer, must be returned)
- A cellphone. (SIM card required, water proof and 112 app recommended.)
- First aid kit (bandage, athletic tape and space blanket)
- waterproof pen
- Bailer for Kayak stage.
This can be a bottle or anything else that you can use to empty the kayak from water
Personal mandatory equipment
- Race bib, must be visible at all times during the race excluding kayaking stage. (provided by organizer, must be returned).
- Gloves suitable for ropes task (both short and long finger allowed)
- CYCLING STAGE
- Bicycle. Electric bikes are allowed only in Adevnture, Explore and Enjoy categories. Teams using e-bikes will have a mark added after their team name in results.
- Bicycle helmet. Use Mandatory while cycling and on stages separately specified in the routebook.
- front- and rear light(ONLY in Extreme and Night Challenge classes during night time))
- KAYAK STAGE
- Personal Floating device (provided by the organizer or own)
- Whistle
Recomended gear
- Backpack or something else for carrying gear
- Compass
- Food and drinks for the duration of the race. Announced times are expected winning times. Notice possibility for race taking longer than expected.
- Spare tire, bike pump and a bike repair kit
- Map holder for bike (Rent here)
- Plasters and blister patch
- Bike lock (All of the quest has staff)
Since the competition takes place on public paths and roads, the organizer highly recommends locking your bikes whenever they are left unsupervised. Organizer is not responsible for damaged or stolen bikes. - Weather appropriate clothing and potential spare/change clothes to prevent hypothermia. As we say there is no such a thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.
Rules
Rules must be obeyed
The event follows the rules of the Finnish Adventure Racing Association.
For the Adventure, Explore, and Enjoy series, these rules are followed in a relaxed manner.
Finnish Adventure Racing Association rules (Link to the Finnish Adventure Racing Association rules in Finnish, Translation in progress)
Worth noting
- The route is not closed to traffic. The race takes place in urban areas, on public roads and trails, as well as in open terrain alongside other traffic and the general public.
- Respect other people and use good manners. Private yards must be respected, and passing through them is strictly forbidden unless explicitly permitted.
- Follow Finnish traffic laws and when moving in traffic, extreme caution must be exercised, especially at intersections.
The most important picks from race rules. Under work. please message info@saimaachallenge.fi for any questions
- Team members must remain in visual and auditory contact with each other throughout the competition, and their distance must not exceed 100 m, unless otherwise instructed at task stations.
- Both members of the team must stay at least 10 meters away from the control point, unless otherwise permitted in the route description or other competition instructions. In the Extreme series, both competitors must punch at all control points.
- The use of personal paper and electronic maps, as well as GPS devices, during the competition and for route planning is prohibited. Heart rate monitors and other performance-measuring devices are permitted. According to the Adventure Sports Federation's rules, the sealing of personal GPS devices / use of Garmin devices in AR mode only applies to the Extreme series.
- Use of external maintenance during operation is prohibited.
- Mandatory equipment assigned to the team and competitors must be carried with them throughout the entire competition, unless otherwise stated in the route book or instructed by a checkpoint official.
- Littering is strictly prohibited. We are moving in nature and want to respect it. All empty energy gels, food wrappers, and other packaging that a competitor brings with them must also be removed from the terrain or placed in general trash bins.
- For rule violations, the team will be assessed a time penalty depending on the severity of the infringement, or in the case of a flagrant violation, the team may also be disqualified.
- Violations of the rules that have been observed can be reported to the competition office after the competition. The violations will be handled by the competition director together with the competition supervisor.
Rule relaxations for non-Extreme series
- Phones may be on and sports watches are allowed. Night Challenge, Challenge, Adventure, and Explore-series.
- Electric bikes are allowed Adventure– yes Explore-series. However, their use must be announced in advance.
- The use of GPS devices during the competition is permitted. Explore-series
Safety and insurance coverage
In case of an accident, contact the race management. Emergency phone numbers can be found on the race maps and route descriptions. If the accident is life-threatening or otherwise serious, call the general emergency number 112 directly.
In an observed accident situation involving another team, it must be ensured that the injured competitor/team is okay, assisted if possible, and that the injured receive the necessary help / help is on the way. The health of every competitor is more important than the outcome of the competition. In such a situation, lost competition time will be compensated in the final results if it is significant for the team.
In case of interruption, please notify the organizer. For possible transportation needs, contact the number provided in the competition maps.
Each participant is responsible for their own insurance coverage (property and accident damage).
Through the Adventure Sports Association, insurance is available for the entire season or for a single competition.
READ MORE ABOUT INSURANCE.
The organizer has liability insurance for their own operations.
Arrival
After arrival and check-in, the team ensures that its SI stick is read by the organizer.
The race bibs, GPS transmitter, and SI stick must be returned to the organizer at the finish.
Restroom and shower facilities are available for competitors at the competition center. We ask teams to be quick when using the indoor facilities to avoid congestion.
Teams are offered a warm meal at the finish line, with dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options considered.
Determination of results
The teams' ranking is determined by their finish time. In the Extreme series, the longest continuous route is significant; in other series, leaving out checkpoints incurs a penalty of 1 hour for normal checkpoints and 2 hours for quest checkpoints. Penalties are added to the finish time.
The primary check of the correct route and determination of the finish time occur based on the SI stick's stamps. If the SI stick is detected to be faulty at the finish, the GPS track can be used as a secondary check.
The SI stick stamp and GPS track of each awarded team must correspond. A team will not be penalized if the GPS track could not be recorded for the entire route due to faulty equipment. If the GPS device was turned off during the competition or became wet and thus damaged due to careless handling, this may affect the team's final time.
To achieve a result, the team must reach the goal before it closes. If this is not possible by completing the entire route, the teams must shorten the route on their own initiative. A time penalty will be incurred for shortening the route as mentioned above.
Award ceremony
In the Extreme and Challenge series, the top three teams in each sub-category (men, women, and mixed teams) will be awarded.
In the Night Challenge, Adventure, and Explore series, commemorative awards will be given to the top three teams. Additionally, there will be raffle prizes drawn among those who start the competition.
Questions
You can always ask us for advice on matters that concern you at the email address: info@saimaachallenge.fi Saimaa Challenge Facebook– tai Instagram-through the pages.
