Winter Race Joins World Series

Rob Howard / 26.01.2005

The Bergson Winter Challenge is the latest addition to the Adventure Racing World Series ... and the next race in the series to take place. Formerly called the Lion Winter Challenge, it adds a new dimension to the series, introducing competition in severe winter conditions, and is the first East European ARWS race. It takes place between February 27th - March 6th in the Ziemia Kodzka area of southern Poland, and there are places still available.

The World Series event at the BWC is the Masters Category, which is for mixed teams of 4 on a 5 day non-stop, unsupported race. The course includes some excellent rope sections where teams will have to ascend and descend ropes, sometimes with their bikes. The organisers promise the 400km route will be a tough test of navigation skills, mountain biking, trekking and caving, and say teams with skilled cross-country skiers will do well.

There are shorter courses (200km and 100km) in the race, though these are not in the World Series. The race is now in it\'s fourth year and has a new organiser, Pawel Feferek, the founder of the Sport Event Company, the most successful adventure racing company in Poland. He is recognised as one of the top Polish adventure racer and is assisted by Piotr Hercog, another strong racer, who will act as the main referee for the race. They will have the support of a dedicated group of experienced volunteers from previous years, something thatâ€™s essential in the sub-zero conditions expected.

The winning team of the Masters category will win a free entry to the Adventure Racing World Championship 2005, which is being staged on The West Coast of the Southern Alps, New Zealand.

World Series organizer Geoff Hunt commented, \"We\'re delighted that Pawel Feferek and the Bergson Winter Challenge has joined the ARWorld Series. With this event in Eastern Europe we have extended the qualifying races for the Adventure Racing World Championship to a truly global network.\"

The entry fee is 1000 Euros and there is more information on the excellent race web site, which is in Polish and English.