Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge
United Arabian Emirates, 4th – 9th December, 2009
The most exciting Adventure Mix. With an overall increase in distance to 428km, this year’s Challenge will be longer, tougher and even more exciting than ever.
The ABU DHABI ADVENTURE CHALLENGE is a multi sports race in teams of 4, racing over 6 consecutive days in Emirate of ABU DHABI. A team consists of 4 competitors and must be mixed (no assistance crew, assistance is done by the organization).
Disciplines are: Sea Kayaking, Camel Hiking, Cross Orienteering, Mountain Biking, Adventure Running, Rope Activities, In Line Skating.
Television Facts
Available programmes: | The entire race is filmed in High Definition with • two 26 minutes Highlight Show Programmes (52min) and • one 26 min “Best of “ - Highlight Show edited post race. English and German Voice Over (for the 26 min version only) available, Word Script in English. All TV Formats available, HD cam & SD format (aspect ratio 16/9 or 4/3; Digibeta/ Beta, SX, SP, DVcam, SX) AUDIO:• A1: IV / A2: English or German voice-over (only the 26’ will have German voice over)• A3: Music / A4: ambiance |
TV distribution Germany & Italy: | by sports tv media distribution - www.stvmd.com |
Rough Cut & Unilaterals | on request |
PRICES FOR TV-RIGHTS ON REQUEST
More than 20 nations will participate, endurance athletes, men and women, of exceptional sporting talent and character, gather from around the globe. Among them there is also a German (Italian) Team who will try to finish this adventure of 428 km through Abu Dhabi.
On 4th December, Abu Dhabi City will repeat its role as urban showcase for the event by hosting the opening act: a triathlon-style opener that involves 34km of running, cycling, sea kayaking and, for the first time, swimming in the calm waters around the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Not much of a breather later the Arabian Gulf, an essential in the race itinerary with its picturesque desert islands and pristine waters, is an ideal playground for the keen kayaker and an ideal choice for backdrop to the next stage.
In contrast to previous itineraries, when the teams would paddle west of Abu Dhabi and confront vast expanses of open water, this demanding 110km sea-kayaking leg that will take you east around the coast and past the 27 square mile Saadiyat Island.
After a three hour transfer to the Liwa Desert, via the Liwa Oasis, you are only one authentic Bedouin bivouac away from a very close up and personal rub with the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), the world's largest expanse of unbroken sand, equivalent in size to France, Holland and Belgium combined. The dunes of red and gold are so tall that they attract visitors from around the globe with only one objective in mind: get to the top. A 2-day struggle across 120km of dramatic and uncompromising desert will confront the teams with one of the most challenging stages of the race. They will need to manage water, effort and itinerary choice to have any chance of “beating” the desert. As if that wasn’t enough, this is the home of the legendary “shouting sands” (Za’eeq al Raml), a phenomenon that local legends often describe as evil spirits trying to disorient travellers and draw them deeper into peril… and you thought that role belonged to your teammates A trusty compass and reliable map should keep them safe from any interfering djinn but watch out for the early morning fog which, if last year is anything to go by, can really stir things up.
On the 5th day, the teams will take to the saddle to cover a punishing 95km biking stage. Split into 2 legs, the first 40km section, from the heart of the Liwa desert to Hamim, includes a cameo appearance for the luxury, five-star Qasr Al Sarab desert resort. The 54 remaining kilometres will take them from Hamim all the way to the outskirts of the Oasis city of Al Ain.
After a night camped in a cool canyon to the east of the Jebel Hafeet range, the all important final day starts with a novel, night-orienteering section followed by a trek up the jagged slopes of the mountain range which, at 1,340m, dominates the surrounding area and is one of the UAE's highest peaks. A technically demanding rope works section will give you a stunning view across the fertile plains studded with date farms that reach the outskirts of Al Ain. From the top of what is one of the UAE’s highest mountains, they will careen 37km down into the city centre of Al Ain along roads closed expressly for the race. The final 4km will be on foot, with teams sprinting through the popular Central Gardens, where a large cosmopolitan crowd comes at weekends to picnic and play, to the finish line at the Jahili Fort.
