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THE
ROUTE
Leaving from Petra, the route goes from 850m to 1400m
in altitude with two sharp slopes over distances of
500m then 1km leading to CP1 (Km 8.5). The route remains
mountainous until km41 (altitude 1100m). The highest
point (1540 m) is around CP3 (Km 33.5). Terrain is then
hilly piste until CP5
(Km64) where you must arrive within a maximum time of
16h45'. You can also stop and sleep at this CP providing
you leave before the time-limits indicated in the road
book. Same thing at CP10 (Km121) where you must arrive
within maximum time of 40h30'. From CP5 to finish line
there are 104km of sand. Relatively flat up to CP9 (Km
109), the last part of the route is hillier with around
900m of positive slope and 800m of negative.
WEATHER
Leaving CP5, the average day-time temperature is around
20°C but quickly falls as the sun goes down (around
17h 30), sometimes reaching just 4°C. It is often
windy. From CP5 to the finish line, the average temperature
is 24° during the day and 12° at night. Not
very windy.
MOBIL COM
The mobile telephone branch of Jordan Telecom is supporting
the race. It will be providing the organisation with,
amongst other things, mobile phones throughout the race.
AQABA FREE ZONE
This government body has the task of attracting companies
to the tax-fre Aqaba area. They have chosen the DESERT
CUP as an effective way of increasing their profile
and will be hosting the prize-giving ceremony. This
will enable competitors to benefit from advantages offered
by a tax-free zone.
VISAS
For participants travelling with AOI (French office
and offices abroad), visas will be obtained once in
AMMAN by AOI. French nationals who are using their own
means of transport to reach Jordan will be able to obtain
visas at
AMMAN airport at a cost of 10 Jordan Dinar (±
15 Euros). For other nationalities, you should enquire
at the Jordanian embassy in your country.
VACCINATION
No vaccinations are currently necessary for entry into
Jordan.
CALORIES
To evaluate the energy needs of competitors, we calculate
in Kilocalories (Kcal). If the products you have only
show Kilojoules (Kj), you must divide the Kj by 4,2
to calculate the Kcal. E.g.: 1730 Kj = 412 Kcal.
DANGEROUS PRODUCTS
Gas bottles are strictly forbidden by airlines, as are
alcohol tablets (hexamethylenetetramine). As baggage
checks have become tighter, you should look for another
solution or envisage making a fire... Knives, scissors
and nail-cutters are forbidden as hand luggage, and
must travel in the hold.
TEAM RACING
France Télécom Toulouse : After the Moroccan
desert, Monique BASTY (F), F. TAURINES (F) and D. VIE
(F) are going to try out its delightful Jordanian sister.
Motivated by the partnership with their colleagues at
Jordan Telecom, they'll be doing their very best to
make their sponsor's colours shine out.
AGF ELA Nike : P. GROSBOST (F) and C. HEINRICH (F) put
in a nice performance on MDS 2001 securing 5th place
for their team. Backed up here by Christine DELANGLE
(F) they should be capable of being good outsiders.
But for them,
like C. BELLAT (F), the ultimate goal is to raise money
for the ELA association in the fight against leucodystrophy.
Bretagne Ultra 35 Legendre : With Katell CORNE (F) as
team-member (6th woman and 1st French woman in 17th
MDS), A. VALLEE (F) and N. SOBHI (F) are clearly aiming
for the podium. Albert finished 7th in the last MDS
and
Noureddine 6th two years ago. Watch out for the Bretons
!
No Limits : Anke MOLKENTHIN (D), our representative
in Germany, will be teaming up with two experienced
runners. E. FRIXE (GER) has taken part in many ultra
races including 5 MDS, and J. KELLY (US) (something
of a famous
musician across the Rhine) is as confident on the sands
of Morocco as the Himalayan slopes.
TEAM
No team can be enrolled once in Morocco. The exact name
of the team and each of its members must be stated when
the reservation file is sent in.
INFORMATION
Even though CIMBALY internationale continues to work
during August, the sending out of photos may take a
little longer than usual, due to staff holidays. It
will therefore take more than the normal 3 weeks for
you to receive your photos.
MANY MANY THANKS
During the 17th MDS, whilst the storm was raging in
the dunes of the big erg making it really difficult
to advance, a certain competitor did not hesitate to
help one of our race stewards whose quad had overturned.
In the name of
all the volunteers THANK YOU Mr. ABDELMALEK (F)!
READ THE REGULATIONS
The regulations are designed to ensure the race goes
off well. Priority is given to safety and sporting ethics,
but there are various logistic imperatives with strict
timings which have to be respected, particularly in
the mornings.
In order to avoid regrettable penalties, you should
read and reread the regulations whose articles evolve
over the years.
OFFICES ABROAD
German-speaking Swiss competitors should enrol with
our German office where they will be welcomed by Anke
MOLKHENTIN. French-speaking Swiss competitors should
enrol in France via the AOI head office. Another change:
Portuguese, Argentinean and Brazilian competitors can
enrol from now on with our representative in Spain,
Olivier SEPULCHRE.
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