Posted: November 15, 2005

Adventure Racing: World Championship Organisers Reject Unsubstantiated Caving Claims

A 'misinformation campaign' is being run against the Adventure Racing World Championship organisation's plans to hold a caving section during the event which is currently being held on the West Coast of the Southern Alps.

Permission was granted by the Department of Conservation last week to use the well known Te Tahi Cave near Westport during the race on Thursday.

ARWorld Series director Geoff Hunt has reacted to statements from the New Zealand Speleological Society and the Tasman District Search and Rescue organisation, which claim DOC should review the decision, because of concerns for the safety of the competitors and further concerns that acceptable safety practices would not be used.

"There is a definite 'misinformation campaign' going on. We have been given approval to use this cave for the event by DOC and professional cavers from Norwest Adventures Ltd of Westport will be on hand monitoring everyone as they go through. "

The company has been commercially operating tours in the Te Tahi Cave and Mr Hunt says they have extensive experience over many years in the caving industry.

"They are more than happy for our racers to use the cave and they, along with the race organisation, will ensure all safety measures are in place."

Mr Hunt pointed out that the only criteria for people to go on a caving expedition with Norwest Adventures is to be over the age of 16 and fit.

"People who book on this venture do not have to have any caving experience. NZSS president Dr Stephen Swabey has noted that 50% of the world championship competitors do have caving experience which we believe is an extremely high ratio."

While 46 teams entered the World Championship it was likely that less than 30% of the teams would still be competing by Thursday. A number of teams have withdrawn today and the attrition rate is expected to continue.

"This means there won't be a great number of athletes using the cave. Professional cavers will be monitoring everyone before they go into the mouth of the cave and we have full confidence in their ability to judge what is safe and what is not."

Mr Hunt says strict conditions will be applied and the section will not be a timed one to prevent people racing through the cave.

"The adventure racers themselves are fully aware of the need to protect the caves from any damage. They are aware of their sensitivity. These people all have strong environmental concerns and there is no way they will cause any damage."

He says competitors have a two hour time frame in which to complete the cave section and a temporary line will be laid on the ground for them to follow, where it is necessary to direct them away from highly sensitive or unsafe areas.

"Orange tape will also be used to mark the closed areas in the caves and to prevent teams from following the wrong route."

Mr Hunt was adamant that safety would not be an issue. "We are experienced adventure race organisers having run fifteen Southern Traverse events. We know the level of safety required and can assure both the New Zealand Speleological Society and the Tasman SAR that we will closely monitor the section, just as we are monitoring all stages of this high profile world class race."

For up to date race coverage www.arworldchampionship.com or for alternative coverage www.sleepmonsters.com.

Southern Traverse Ltd is a premier international sports event management company operating elite events around the world, including the Adventure Racing World Championship, the AR World Series and the Southern Traverse.

The Adventure Racing World Series is an international circuit of premiere adventure races representing 10 countries creating a 12-month calendar of professional events around the world. The series events are: Beast of the East-USA, Raid the North Extreme- Canada, Ecomotion/Pro - Brazil, Explore Sweden - Sweden, The Bull of Africa - S.Africa, Terra Incognita - Croatia, Bergson Winter Challenge - Poland, Wilderness ARC - Scotland and Southern Traverse -New Zealand. Adventure Racing World Series events are qualifiers for the Adventure Racing World Championship

Website: www.southerntraverse.com.