Government Recognises Costa Rica's AR World Championships

News Release / 03.10.2013

The Adventure Race World Championships 2013 have been appointed by Costa Rica’s President as an ‘Activity of National and Public Interest’ in recognition of the positive tourism, social and environmental impacts the race will have.

The declaration is an endorsement for the race organization and of the Government's commitment to the race and follows the award of the Tourism Interest Declaration by the Costa Rican Tourism Board last April.

"For us is essential to receive this support from the Government of Costa Rica. The declarations facilitate organizational processes, but most importantly they are a sign of confidence from the Government for us as an organizing committee. They are reinforcing that here in Costa Rica, we can organize a great World Championships," said Alexander" Pongo "Baker, ARWC Race Director.

Costa Rica will host the Adventure Race World Championship for the first time in history, after having an Adventure Race World Series for the past three years.

The multisport competition will be held between November 29th and December 12th this year and 70 teams have confirmed they will attend. The competitors, staff, media and special guests will be a caravan of more than 600 people travelling all over the country.

The Organization has the commitment to have a positive impact (economic and social) in every rural community the race will visit, as well as to have the least environmental impact possible.

"We know that the impact in the communities is really important for Costa Rica’s Government. We are working hard with community leaders and local businesses all over the route and they will offer services and support to the race," said Baker.

The communities that will welcome the race are top secret as the route will only be revealed only a few hours before the competition starts.

Anxiety for the Race

As the starting date approaches teams are becoming more and more excited about the race. Local and foreign teams have high expectations and are aware that the competition in Costa Rica will demand a great effort from them. It is considered to be one of the toughest races of the year.

The Costa Rican Toyota Adventure Team raced the ARWS Ecomotion/Pro in Brazil (last August) to gain experience in a top competition before the World Championship. “It was great to have this race in Brazil, where we were running against the top teams in the World. Here we met with Columbia Vidaraid (the winners), Team Seagate (current World Champions) and other teams that will certainly fight for the Championship," said the team captain, Mélida Barbee.

Team Seagate is clear on their challenge for the race in Costa Rica: To try to repeat their title win in France last year and become the first team to win the World Championship two years in a row.

“Our team does have expectations of doing well… We are the current World Champions and we are happy with that, that feels OK. For us, the goal for the race is always to win. We know we can finish major expedition races, so the challenge for us is to try to finish it in front of all the other teams,” said Nathan Fa’avae, the team Captain.

Along with Team Seagate (New Zealand) and the 9 local teams there will be racers from over 30 countries arriving in Costa Rica for the race, representing all the continents in the World.

To find out more about the race see http://www.arcostarica.com/CostaRica/

(You can see an interview with Nathan Fa'avae of Team Seagate in our video section.)

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