The BKW-Armadacup

Single scull Long Distance Race over 9 Km with Mass Start

The first fifteen BKW-Armadacup races were a huge success. Young and old, debutantes and winners of Olympic Gold medals were very enthusiastic, not only, because it is an original rowing event but also a real alternative to the 2000m races. We hope this will also apply to the present event.
The 16th BKW-Armadacup on october 25th 2003 will be realised in the same way and on the same course as the years before. This year too there are a lot of world class rowers at the starting line. We hope to see many "hobby enthusiasts at the present event, which will get them fit by end of the season, without them having to enter the ranking.

Apart from the athletic performance, this should also be an enjoyable event. After the race you can enjoy a glass of wine and some good food in a nice atmosphere. Your friends and family are also welcome to join you.

Registration forms need to be returned by Monday, October 13th 2003, 18:00 at the latest.

Competition Categories:

1st Categorie	SENIORS A	(over 22 years)
2nd Categorie	SENIORS B	(19-22 years)
3rd Categorie	JUNIORS (BOYS) A	(17-18 years)
4th Categorie	JUNIORS (BOYS) B	(15-16 years)*
5th Categorie	MASTERS A und B	(27-42 years)
6th Categorie	MASTERS C	(43-49 years)
7th Categorie	MASTERS D + E	(50 years and older)
8th Categorie	WOMEN	(over 19 years)
9th Categorie	JUNIORS (GIRLS) A	(17-18 years)*
10th Categorie	JUNIORS (GIRLS) B	(15-16 years)*
11th Categorie	MASTERS (WOMEN)	(OVER 27 years)*

* : Registered Juniors must be able to present a valid licence. .

start time: 14:30 (all competitors together)

The journey to the start takes at least 55 minutes. Please ensure that your boats are launched in time. A plan for launching boats can be found in the clubhouse, and a copy of this will be distributed with confirmation of registration. Please respect this timetable. (limited number of pontoons)

The allocation and distribution of start numbers will be made by the organizer, numbers can be collected as from 11:30 in the regatta secretariat. The allocation of start places is based upon the rankings in last year's ARMADA-Cup. Participants in this year's World Cup will receive preferential treatment, and will be allocated a start position in one of the front rows. Participants who register after the closing date might be given a start number at the rear of the field .

Start-Preparation and Start:

Shirts in club colours must be worn.
Numbers must be visible on the back of the shirt, and the number on the bow must be suitably attached.
All Competitors must be at the Regatta area by 10:30 at the latest.
Rowers are to proceed from the boathouse of the Rowing Club of Bern to the starting zone, and should line up according to their start number.
Women and Men start together (Ladies on the port side of the field)
25 boats start together, the next row will follow 2 lengths behind.
The line up in the starting zone will be managed under clear instructions of the referees, who are responsible for an exact line up as well as giving the start signal for time-keeping.

Please be fair and remain in position until the signal is given

Everyone must take their place in starting number order.
Participants who start the race in the wrong starting row will be disqualified.

The Regatta-Course:

The course runs from the starting zone to the finish, level with the boathouse of the Rowing Club Bern and is approximately 9 km long. The choice of course is not pre-defined. Depending on the condition of the water (weeds etc.) the organizers reserve the right to place regulatory buoys. These will be marked on the official course plan, which will be sent with confirmation of registration. Regulatory buoys must be heeded. Participants who disregard them will be disqualified. To ensure the safety of participants, motorboats with rescue crews will be positioned along the length of the course. These will provide help in emergency situations. When there is an attempt to overtake, the slower boat must give way.

An exact plan of the course will be displayed in the finish area. Shallow waters have been clearly marked. To prevent congestion in the finishing area, two finish lines have been drawn up. Results will be based on crossing the first finish line, but please continue rowing until you have crossed the second line!

Classification and Prizes:

Participants crossing the finish without numbers cannot be ranked.
The first three places in each of the 10 Categories will receive medals.
The overall winner (female and male) will receive CHF 1'500.- and a trophy, sponsored by BKW FMB Energie AG in 3002 Bern 25.
The second place (female and male) wil receive CHF 1'000.-, the third CHF 500.-, sponsored by Regattaverein Bern.
The winners of the Junior (Boys) and Junior (Girls) 17-18 year-olds will each receive a Nielsen-Kellermann Pulse Watch sponsored by Ursula Wehrli Sportartikel GmbH in 8134 Adliswil.
The oldest competitor will receive a prize.
The Regattaverein Berne is able to change Prizes and Trophies without any further notification.

Registration Fees:

A registration fee of CHF. 50.- per rower (juniors CHF 30.-) is to be paid (max. Fr. 400.-- per club). Entry fees can either be paid using a paying-in slip, or at the time the start numbers are issued.

Please use the entry form for registration.

WEBcouture - 31.5..2003 -