Kalke ry April 5 rd , 2013 Juhani Isaksson Silmäkkeenkatu 12 FI- 33560,

International Federation Jan Tojnar IRF WRC Manager

PROPOSAL TO HOST AND ORGANIZE THE WORLD ROGAINING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN FINLAND IN 2015

1. Proposing organizer

Kalke Ry wish to express its interest to organize the World Rogaining Championships in Finland in August 2015. We welcome the growing family of rogainers to Arctic Lapland, Saariselkä, 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in August 2015.

Kalke Ry has introduced the 24 hour rogaining concept in Finland by organizing already 5 full time (24 hours) open Retki Rogaing events since 2007 and hosted European Rogaing Championship in Ylläs 2009.

Kalke Ry hosts the website http://retki.rogaining.fi where the history of the rogaining events organized by Kalke ry can be found.

2. Proposed date for the event

The proposed date in August 22 nd -23 rd 2015 offering first glimpse of the incoming fall with all the colors – Ruska, but still with safe margin for coming winter and possibility of snow is minimal.

3. Planed location

The venue is one of the largest national parks in Finland - Urho Kekkosen Kansallispuisto and next by areas with existing infrastructure for the event centre. It is located roughly 250 km north of the polar circle and is in major part desert. Exceptions are the Saariselkä resort and some individual habituated area close to the main road.

The location of the competition area is indicated in the below. Competition area is well north from the polar circle but still the conditions, especially at summer are mild. The exact spot for the competition centre is Laanila, some 30 km from nearest frequently used airport, less than 10 km from Saariselkä ski resort and only two kilometers from Urho Kekkosen National Park which will form a big part of the competition area.

Rovaniemi, closest railway connection

The weather can be very variable. The temperatures vary between 0 °C and 25 °C. The probability of snow is minimal.

The site is easily accessible by regular air, train and bus connections. There are plenty of accommodation facilities with thousands of beds in the area to serve all levels of customer needs.

4. Organizers´ experience

The organizing club, Kalke ry is an and Adventure Sports Club which has frequently organized rogaining events in Finland. For example Kalke organized the first ever 24 h rogaining event in Finland year 2006 and after that has organized an annual 24 h competition and some shorter 3 and 8 hours events also. Kalke did also host the ERC 2009 in Ylläs. Please visit our home page: http://retki.rogaining.fi

Experience in organizing adventure sports events: Retki-Rogaining 2007, 24 h, 8 h and 3 h event Retki-Rogaining 2008, 24 h and 8 h event ERC Rogaing 2009 event Retki-Rogaining 2010, 24 h and 8 h event Retki – Rogaining 2011, 24 h and 8 h event together with Team Garmin Adventure La Sportive Rogaing 2012 8 h event Retki-Rogaining 2012, 24 h and 8 h event

In the coming years the plan is to organize annually at least one 24 h competition. The next will be in held in Sappee, 10.-11.8.2013. ( See invitation at http://retki.rogaining.fi/index.php?page=invitation-10--11-8-2013&hl=en)

5. Terrain and map

The terrain is one of the most well-known fjeld areas in Finland. It is hilly with moderately high differences, part of the tops are open tundra. The maximum difference of elevation is round 400 meters, from 150 m to 550 meters above sea level.

In the low areas there are pine and spruce forests and wetland with small rivers and creeks. With gained elevation the vegetation turns into low growing birch stands and finally opens tundra.

There are several marsh areas, lakes, rivers and streams. All water in rivers and creeks with stream is drinkable.

An extensive trail system covers the area.

The map is based on finish “peruskartta” 1:20 000 topographical map with very good accuracy. The material will be turned to 1:40 000 scale with 5 m counter interval through OCAD map generating software.

Maps will be then printed by offset printing in 5 colors.

Same methodology have been used in all RetkiRogaing competitions.

Below are two samples of used.

Part of hilly area from ERC 2009 map Part of wetland area from ERC 2009 map

Proposed competition area is shown in the map below. Scale 1:400 000

Proposed Competition Center

Proposed competition area

6. Punching system and result computing system

SportIdent punching system will be used to record the results. Rogaini Manager software from Tak-soft will be used to calculate the results.

Same system has been used in RetkiRogaings from 2008 so the organizing team has a lot of experience of those systems.

7. Weather and climate

Weather in the competition area during the proposed time of the year is mild, max temperature is typically between 15 -20 C, but can vary a lot. During the night the typical temperature is round 5 to 10 C but can go even to freezing temperatures.

Rain is not likely but cannot be excluded.

The weather condition in Saariselkä area can be found in the link: http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/weather/inari/saariselk%C3%A4

8. Animals and flora

In the competition area has been time to time seen bears and wolfs but it is not like to meet them during the competition and they are consider not to be for any risk for competitors. Most common animal in the area is semi wild reindeers.

Insects will or will not be present during the competition but the season for Finnish mosquitoes is over and only minor number of those and some flies and horseflies are likely. They carry no diseases and are harmless.

Plants in the area are also harmless for people causing no skin or allergic reactions, season for pollination is over.

9. Daylight

During the competition the daylight will be as follows:

Sun set 22.8.2015 21:30 Sun rise 23.08.2015 04:57

10. Transportation and Accommodation conditions

Though the competition area is far above polar circle and in inhabited area it is easily accessible by plane and bus and also by car.

By Air The nearest airport with daily connections is located in Ivalo, only 30 km from the competition area. From the airport there is also direct bus service to the competition center. To reach Ivalo a transit at international airport must be done. Flight time from Helsinki is roughly 90 minutes.

By Train Nearest train station is located in , from where there is a direct daily bus service to the competition center. The distance from Rovaniemi is round 260 km. A joint bus service from and to Rovaniemi can be organized if needed. The recommended way to travel to Rovaniemi is to take a night train from Helsinki. The train takes also cars in.

By Bus There is frequent bus service to competition center from Rovaniemi and from north Ivalo ( or even from Utsjoki).

By Car The main road to the Saariselkä area is a main highway to north and well up kept and easy to drive. The driving distance from Rovaniemi is round 260 km and from Helsinki round 1100 km.

11. Key persons

Jari Kaaja – Race Director and Head Secretary

More than 25 years of experience orienteering and other endurance sports as a competitor and organizer

ERC 2009 - Race Director Retki Rogaing 2007, 2008 and 2010 – Race Director

Adventure Sports *Competitor 1997- *Event Organizer 2000 – (33 events)

Finnish Championships in Wilderness Canoeing *Event Director 2006

Finnish Championships in Orienteering *Media Manager 1997

Juhani Isaksson – setter

40 years of experience in orienteering as a competitor, trainer and organizer, Including Results Manager in Jukola relay 1992 (World’s largest orienteering even)

ERC 2009 – Course setter Retki Rogaing 2007, 2008,2010 – Course setter Retki Rogaing 2012 – Race Director

*Event director and course setter of numerous Scouting Skill Competitions at national and regional level *Director of the hike of Karelia Scout Jamboree Hiking 1979 (12.000 participants)

* Competition experience: ERC 2008, Russia and WRC 2012 Czech

Miika Pietilä – Result manager

20 years of experience in orienteering as a competitor and organizer over 10 years of result services in various other orienteering competitions

ERC 2009 – Results Manager

Retki-Rogaining 2007,2008,2010,2011 and 2012 - Results Manager

X-Sprint Adventure Races 2003-2007 - Results Manager

Finnish Championships in Orienteering * 1997 internet chief, online results * 2004 result services * 2012 Finnish Orienteering Championship – assistant result manager

Jukka Heikkinen - Quartermaster

Over 20 years of experience of organizing orienteering competitions.

Quartermaster and service manager ERC 2009, Retki Rogaining 2007,2008,2010 and2012

Tomi Mandelin – Hash House

Host for Hash House in ERC 2009 and Retki Rogaining 2007,2008, 2010 and 2012

Iiro Kakko – Course Vetter

Rogaining Word Champion 1998 and participant of numerous Rogaing events.

12. Statement

The World Rogaining Championships will be held in accordance with the International Rules of Rogaining.

Contact information:

www.rogaining.fi Event Coordinator: Juhani Isaksson [email protected] tel +358 40 830 4402