Adventure Racing World Championship 2023 - Kouga

Expedition Africa Adventure Race Affiliates with the South African Orienteering Federation

Press Release / 24.12.2022

In October 2023 Expedition Africa will stage their 11th edition, which will also host the 19th Adventure Racing World Championship.

The race will take place in the Eastern Cape and with over 150 teams from 34 nations heading to the shores of South Africa, 2023 will be a year of celebration for Adventure Racing in Africa.

The Expedition Africa team is always looking at ways to grow and support adventure racing in South Africa and, having approached the South African Orienteering Federation (SAOF), the race has now been confirmed by them as an Associate Member.

Map based navigation is the core discipline in both orienteering and adventure racing, and sets them apart from all other sports, so this affiliation is a natural fit.  (Orienteering Federations in other countries also affiliate adventure races.)

Map interpretation and strategy are used by both orienteers and adventure racers, and both sports require high quality mapping and skilled planning to stage races.

Many adventure racers have started their navigation journey in the sport of orienteering and continue to compete in orienteering events all over the world to sharpen their navigation abilities.

“We at Expedition Africa and the Adventure Racing community are extremely excited to be associated with the South African Orienteering Federation.

“We look forward to seeing the partnership grow to promote both sports, here in South Africa and internationally. The synergy between the two sports focusing on the navigation skills of the competitors is a perfect match.”  Stephan Muller – Race director of Expedition Africa.

“The SAOF is excited to welcome Expedition Africa as an associate member. We believe that the two sports can benefit each other. It is no surprise that many extremely good orienteers have had successful Adventure Racing careers and in the same vein there have been some notable Adventure Racers who have competed well at the Orienteering world championships.

“This is as true in South Africa as it is around the world. With this relationship we hope that more athletes from one sport will test the fruits of the other. This can only be good for navigation sports in South Africa.”  Garry Morrison – President SAOF

Orienteering in South Africa was started in Cape Town in 1981 followed by Johannesburg in 1982.  Clubs were founded shortly thereafter and the SAOF was formed in 1983.  The first South African Orienteering Championships was held in 1983 in Cape Town, and it has been held annually ever since.

The SAOF was accepted as a member of the IOF in 1992 and since 1993 has sent teams to many World Orienteering Championships and Junior World Orienteering Championships.

Officials from SAOF will be assisting with the officiating at next year’s Adventure Racing World Championship event, and the Federation will also assist with the implementation of an anti-doping testing programme for the first time at an Adventure Racing World Championship.

For more information on Expedition Africa see www.expafrica.net

For more information on SAOF see https://www.orienteering.co.za/