WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND ANNOUNCED AS HOST REGION FOR 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

-- Epic 500km wilderness race to feature the world’s best
international adventure racing teams; August 1-8, 2004 –

(Corner Brook, NF) – Frontier Adventure Racing Inc. (FAR Inc.), Canada’s premier adventure racing company, is pleased to announce that Western Newfoundland has been selected as the host region for the 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.  The announcement was made by Geoff Langford, President of FAR Inc., Peter Antle, Director of Wreckhouse Entertainment, and Gerry Byrne, MP Humber-St Barbe-Baie Verte. 

Corner Brook, located on the west coast of the island portion of Newfoundland, off the east coast of Canada, will serve as host city for an international assembly of the world’s top adventure racing athletes, media from around the world, race organizers, officials and volunteers. 

To run from August 1-8, 2004, the 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP will feature 50 of the world’s top international teams, vying for a prize purse of $100,000 CDN.   In classic expedition race format, coed teams of four will traverse the wilderness of Newfoundland for 6 days and nights, non-stop, in their quest for the title of Adventure Racing World Champions.

Peter Antle, director of Wreckhouse Entertainment, said "RTNX will set the stage for a world class excursion in the heart of Western Newfoundland.  We are excited about our renewed partnership with FAR to host a premiere race and crown the 2004 AR World Champions."

Newfoundland’s people are known for their open and friendly nature and their unwavering hospitality – yet its terrain is rugged, untamed and spectacular.  Set at the mouth of the Bay of Islands, Corner Brook is 40km inland from the open waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and is nestled among the folded and faulted Long Range Mountains.  The surrounding coastline holds magnificent fjords, jagged headlands, ceaseless plateaus and thickly forested areas. 

Said Far Inc. president Geoff Langford, “We are thrilled to announce Newfoundland as host of the 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP race.  The region’s wild combination of water, forest and mountains will make for one of the most unforgettable wilderness adventure racing courses the sport has seen.”

"Western Newfoundland has a reputation of leading the way in sport tourism and event hosting,” says Gerry Byrne.  “The commitment of government, business and community volunteers enables the success of international competitions.  As MP I am proud to support this community effort and welcome the AR World Championship organizers and competitors to Newfoundland and Labrador."

About the Race Course:

As the championship event for the Adventure Racing World Series of eight premier international races, the 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP will be hosted by FAR Inc.’s renowned adventure race, Raid the North Extreme.

The 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP will feature a challenging, epic 500 km course through some of Newfoundland’s – and Canada’s -- most stunning and unoccupied terrain. While the exact details of the course will remain secret until the race itself, Langford says the wilderness course will consist of off-trail trekking, mountain biking, ropes and paddling on flat and moving water.

The international field of adventure racers will compete non-stop for six days, under the watchful eye of international media and supporters following live internet coverage.

Team Registration and Selection:

The 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP is the championship event for the Adventure Racing World Series of eight premier international races, including the Beast of the East (USA), Raid the North Extreme (Canada), Expedicao Mata Atlantica (Brazil), Explore Sweden (Sweden), Appalachian Extreme (USA), Southern Traverse (New Zealand), European Championship Adventure Race (Austria), and Adventure Quest Africa (South Africa).

The world’s top teams were invited to compete in the 2004 ADVENTURE RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP based on winning placements and qualifying criteria of the Adventure Racing World Series races, with the remainder of the 50 teams selected via an application process.

Registration applications will be accepted until Friday, February 20 at 12 midnight (ET), with the final 50 team entries announced on Wednesday, February 25. Registration details and selection criteria are available online at www.raidthenorth.com or www.arworldchampionship.com.

About Frontier Adventure Racing Inc.:

Frontier Adventure Racing Inc. (FAR Inc.) is the leading adventure racing company in Canada, operating the popular Raid the North and Salomon Adventure Challenge series. Now in its seventh year of operation, FAR Inc. has established an international reputation for solid logistics and challenging race courses. Providing traditional wilderness adventure race experiences has been FAR Inc.'s focus since day one. Often building courses around the history and traditions of the regions competitors travel through, FAR Inc. remains true to its slogan: Real Wilderness. Real Navigation. Real Adventure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Katherine Nelson
Media Coordinator
AR World Championship
katherine@katherinenelson.com
604.899.2179