OK - here is the info you asked for - but please remember that it is all
provisional - September 2009 is still a long way off...
The current World Champs schedule is attached. There are 3 big days at the World Champs:
. Friday is U23 Men XC and then 4X at night
. Saturday is Elite Men and Women XC, with Junior Trials
. Sunday is DH plus Elite Trials
However, other World racing starts as far back as the Tuesday with the National team Relay.
I had a ball and thought the course was great, took the family, the wife enjoyed it, kids - 6 and 3 got a little bored.
We had some kids entertainment this year (jumping castles, face painting etc) and you can expect that + more for next year. Also, the champs schedule provides for more events to watch because there are age categories at a World Champs, not just the Open categories you get at a World Cup.
There will also be some races for the kids.
We have taken onboard the feedback about food quality.
I would love to go next year, but can we have some idea of the cost to get in?
There will be 3
daily ticket prices. Costs are estimate at this stage and are shown for the online purchase discount. Tickets purchased on the day will cost more:
. $17 for Adult (age 17 and over)
. $13 for Child (age 13 to 16)
. Free for Under 13 accompanied by an adult
. There will be a family pass option which will cover 2 adults + 3 children, at $50 per day, a saving of up to $23 per day.
Your ticket will include:
. entry to the venue
. access to grandstands
. car parking, bus to/from Canberra interchanges, or secure bike storage at the venue
. bus rides up the mountain, to the top or to selected viewing spots,
There will be an option to purchase a whole-of-event ticket (covers 6 days of competition + practice days) for any of the entry options, for 2.75 times the daily cost. For example:
. a family pass for the entire event would cost $137.50, a saving of $162.50 compared to purchasing daily family passes.
. an adult pass for the entire event would cost $46.75, a saving of $55.25 compared to purchasing daily adult entry passes.
Now, for the "bad" news. Remember, this is not our venue. Legally, it is the same as going to Canberra Stadium or Manuka Oval ......
. the venue will be fenced. This includes the 4X and Triple Treat.
. there will be no parking on Uriarra or Cotter Roads (unless you are prepared for the brown envelope under your wipers).
. there will be stricter enforcing of the "esky" rule by security staff.
Also the big screen should be in the finish area, so we can stand there and cheer and watch it.
The current plan is for 3 big screens:
. DH finish
. 4X (facing up the hill so it is visible for the 4X spectators)
. Triple Treat
There is also a plan for a large (1500 seat) grandstand on the southern side of the DH/4X finish area - the opposite side to where the hot seat was for the World Cup. You will get better visibility of the big screen from this grandstand.