Raid in France in the Ardeche Starts June 5th

Press Release / 30.05.2017

35 teams coming from 10 countries in the world will start off Raid in France, the French stage of the Adventure Racing World Series, near Devesset lake (in Ardèche). The distinctive feature of this 9th edition is that the route draws a 427 kilometers-long loop in the Ardèche department. With their maps and compasses, the 140 races will spend 4 to 6 days doing a series of 13 sections which include mountain biking, trekking, speleology, climbing, kayaking... self-sufficiently.

The Greatest Expedition In Europe, Created By A Lyon Resident

Created in 2007 by Pascal Bahuaud, a rowing finalist in Seoul’s Olympic Games, 13 times French Champion and 6 out of 10 times on the podium of the Raid Gauloises, Raid in France is the French member of the Adventure Racing World Series, which gathers the world’s long-distance multisport races. The ARWS circuit is composed of 12 annual races across the globe; each one of them qualifying the first two teams for the world finale, the Adventure Racing World Championship, which is set to take place this upcoming August in the United States.

Raid in France is widely acknowledged as one of the most demanding races in the ARWS circuit.

A Real Adventure & Nature Race

Orienteering, mountain biking, canyoning, speleology, rope activities, kayaking, rafting … Raid in France’s route respects specific features of the landscapes crossed and adapt to their constraints. It is a demanding race that upholds strong values.

Participants as well as organisers all sign the “Back to nature” environmental charter committing them to respect the environment throughout the whole race: no helicopter, a rigorous waste management, the use of recyclable products, printing on recycled paper, raising environmental awareness, the preservation of natural sites (refilling of the anchoring holes) are some of Raid in France’s main gestures.

June 4 & 5: Family Weekend On The Lake’s Shores

This year, Raid in France’s village will be set up at the edge of the Devesset lake in Ardèche. On this occasion, on Sunday, June 4, from 2 to 6 pm, the Ardèche department and the Communauté de Communes Val’Eyrieux are organising a free and open family adventure race. Among the activities proposed: zip-line, pedestrian and aquatic orienteering, Bike & Run…

In the afternoon and until 10pm, a bike tour will be organised to wait until the launch of the race.

A Game Organised on Social Networks

The Ardèche department and the Ardèche tourism development agency also organise a free contest on social networks. The concept: during the race, take a picture of Raid in France’s racers while running, pedalling, paddling around the department’s territory and post it on the Facebook page named “À  la conquête de l’Ardèche”: www.facebook.com/ardeche.saga

live.raidinfrance.com

Teams progress, from a stage to another, can be followed in real time on our live website

www.live.raidinfrance.com, from Monday, June 5, at zero hour. Copyright-free photos and videos will be available every day.

For TVs, a server will allow to download camera images filmed by a production team (4 camera operators, 1 producer and 1 film editor) every day.

Adventure racing recently became affiliated to the French triathlon federation

Since January, 1 2017, adventure racing were included to the French triathlon federation (FFTri), which involves great development opportunities.

Key moments of the 2017 edition

•             Sunday, June 4, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm: teams briefing

•             From 6pm to 7pm: opening ceremony of Raid in France’s 9th edition

•             Monday, June 5 at 12:00am: start of Raid in France’s 9th edition

•             Thursday, June 8: arrival of the first teams

•             Friday, June 9: media and VIP day

•             Saturday, June 10 at 4pm: arrival of the last teams

•             From 6:30pm: awards ceremony

For more information see; www.raidinfrance.com  & www.arworldseries.com

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