Dreams becoming a reality

Jacqueline Windh / 23.05.2007

The start of Adventure Race Slovenia â€“ Velenje 2007 is only one month away.

Slovenia is a country unknown to even the most seasoned of world travellers. This race will take place on the 'sunny side of the mountains', in the regions of the Å alÅ¡ka valley and the KamniÅ¡ko-Savinjske Alps, from June 22-24.
The format is three days (50 hours) non-stop, covering a distance of about 250 km. Disciplines (and total distances of each) are:
- trekking 70 km
- mountina biking 154 km
- caving 2 km
- swimming 3 km
- kayaking 20 km
- canyoning 1 km
- rollerblading 5 km
as well as ropes sections (ascending and descending) and orienteering.

International teams are welcome to this event, which will be full of surprise and discover, and the official languages of the race will be both English and Slovenian. Up to 40 teams of 4 will be admitted, and each team must have at least one female member (so both mixed-sex and all-female teams may participate).

The race is unsupported, and the entry fee of 500 EUR per team includes camp accommodation and team transportation during the race, as well as a couple of meals, T-shirts, maps, and use of kayaks. A total of 5000 EUR are on offer as prize money.

The Slovenian organizers are very enthusiastic about being able to host this event in their country. Race Director Peter Vrčkovnik explains some of the background to its organization: