Words: Patricia Desgagné
The Société de développement et de mise en valeur de Carleton-sur-Mer and Endurance Aventure, co-organizers of the Gaspésie International Raid (GIR), are pleased to announce that the maximum capacity set at 140 athletes for the event has been reached. Six weeks prior to the event, any new teams interested in participating in this multisport competition will be placed on a waiting list.
A multicultural and complete raid!
The event’s international character is once again obvious since 19 teams are from other countries. In total, 14 countries will be represented: United States of America, Argentina, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Brazil, South Africa, Italy, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Poland, Denmark, Switzerland, and Canada. It is also worth mentioning the fact that 12 participating teams will represent the Gaspésie region.
The presence of foreign journalists and photographers
The presence of foreign journalists and photographers is an important vehicle for international visibility. Currently, 14 journalists and photographers have confirmed their interest in following the athletes as they compete in the Gaspésie region’s magnificent and diverse territory. Among others, we are happy to announce the return of Wladimir Togumi, photographer for Adventure Mag, an important sports magazine in Brazil. Note that, in partnership with the Rencontres internationales de la photographie en Gaspésie, a few pictures he took of the 2014 GIR are on display at the Carleton-sur-Mer municipal beach until the end of September.
Tourisme Québec has been added to the list of GIR partners
Following the success of the 2014 event, Dominique Vien, Minister of Tourism, has confirmed that Tourisme Québec is happy to be a GIR partner this year. It therefore joins forces with Développement économique Canada, Caisse Desjardins, the town of Carleton-sur-Mer, Tourisme Gaspésie, Commission scolaire René-Lévesque, Marché Viens, MRC d’Avignon, Movimento, Vélo-Café, and Cartier-Énergie to contribute to the event’s success.
The integration of local youth: a concept that is unique in the world
Please note that following the success of a concept that was part of the first edition of the raid, the Desjardins Youth Raid will make it possible for 200 of the region’s young people to line up at the start of the GIR Prologue. This concept which is unique in the world will give them the opportunity to experience an actual raid alongside the GIR’s 140 raiders.
Emphasis on the region’s warm welcome
The 2nd edition of the Gaspésie International Raid will be presented from September 10th to September 13th, 2015. Again this year, the population is invited to encourage the athletes who will have travelled great distances to discover our part of the world. Details concerning the best areas to see the athletes along the course will be provided a few days before the race.
To watch highlights of the 2014 GIR, click here: https://vimeo.com/113526197 (English) or https://vimeo.com/113526198 (French). These shows were broadcasted in 40 countries for a total of 2,150 hours of broadcasting.
For further information: www.raidinternationalgaspesie.com or www.facebook.com/raidgaspesie.
