Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association
www.nimra.org.uk

 

World Trophy Selection & Travel

Sat 13 August 2005 - Ian Taylor

Potential World Trophy Team members etc

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This posting, similar to an email sent out today, is primarily for information to all who might be interested in being on the NI World Trophy team to New Zealand in September (Wellington, 22 ? 26 September)

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You are reminded that the selection race is on Saturday, 20 August, 12 noon from the upper car park at Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor.? Course details, designed to match the World Trophy course, are on the NIMRA web site.? Selection information is also on the Web site.? The selection committee is Jim Hayes, Barbara Brown, Jim Johnston, Marty McVeigh & Ian Taylor.? The race is also the final one of the NIMRA Championship for 2005.

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Travel:

The main purpose of this posting is to clarify travel arrangements.? At an earlier stage NIMRA decided not to use the official airline, Qantas but rather to see the best prices available.? This was fortunate as it now turns out that Qantas do not seem to be able hold to earlier promises.? They are now quoting ?1046 from London to New Zealand.? Indeed earlier this week the Welsh team pulled out of travelling with them for this reason.

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In contrast the Irish team are travelling out quite early, on Wednesday 14th September, arriving back Monday 2nd October. Some are using the route Dublin, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, Auckland (Malaysian Airlines) and found a return fare of ?600.? Travel from Auckland to Wellington is extra.? While this fare is no longer available we should be able to get ones that are approaching this and cheaper than the Qantas ones.?

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Note that the local organising committee (loc) are offering a travel subsidy of $315 per team member towards fares.? IAAF also offer a grant of $3700 between all UK teams.? At $1.76 to ?1, this is roughly ?179 from loc each and about ?34 per team member from IAAF, totalling ?213.? Accommodation is provided for four nights from 22 ? 26 September.

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Since prices will increase between now and the travel date, it is important to decide whether, if selected, you will take up a team place.? We would like to have a confirmed team list early in the week beginning 22 August.

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Since the best prices for flights depend on when you travel, what route you take and the number in the group we are not making an overall team booking.? The best prices will be obtained by going in groups of 2 ? 4 people, being flexible about your route and travel days.? Many of the flights out of London go late in the evening so a cheap earlier flight from Belfast should be possible.? Leave plenty of time for changeovers.?

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By next Saturday we hope to have more details about possible routes and costs.? However some preliminary investigation by potential team members would assist in making early decisions and hence reduce flight costs.

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Regards

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Ian

NIMRA committee