Photo: Eugene Cussons & Francois Theron
The Icarus X is a short-format Icarus Trophy. It's a great way to get in some real practice for the Icarus Trophy proper which runs from 22nd July - 3rd August 2018.
If you can successfully complete the Icarus X, it proves you've got the skills and balls or ladyballs needed to take on the main Trophy.
We run a whole series of Icarus X weekends round the world. In 2018, for the first time, we're bringing Icarus X to South Africa.
Icarus-X Schedule
The start and finish line is Bill Harrop Balloon Safaries.
Friday 30th March 12.00 - Pilot briefings
Friday 30th March 14.00 - Launch
Saturday 31st March 18.00 - Course closes
Sunday 1st April - Prizegiving and Contingency day
In the event that pilots have not completed the course on Saturday evening we may extend the race to cover Sunday as well, so consider Sunday 1st as a contingency day for Icarus X contestants, as well as a casual fly-in for spectators and supporters (and faster pilots).
The Race
Pilots can elect to fly in Race or Adventure Division.
Race Class pilots must fly the entire course and can only progress forwards by means of flight. They cannot accept any pre-arranged assistance (e.g. someone from the fly-in cannot bring you fuel or drive you to a hotel). If hitching a lift from your landing spot to the gas station or a hotel for the night will make your adventure better - that's fine, but you must not have arranged that prior. The first pilot home to the start line, penalty-free, is the Trophy winner. As well as the magnificent Trophy they will win a place on the man Icarus Trophy, the 1000-mile big brother of the Icarus X, from Johannasberg, SA to Victoria Falls, Zambia later in the year.
In Adventure Division, pilots can accept any assistance they fancy - dedicated ground support (for example, someone to meet them to refuel), or aerial support, and even make road moves should they wish. Pilots are free to make it as tough or luxurious on the ground as they choose, as long as they have a cracking adventure off the ground. The aim is simply to get round and have a blast, so if your mum comes to give you a ride from your landing spot to the petrol station or a hotel for the night, that's just fine in Adventure Division. The Trophy will go to the pilot who has had the best adventure. There is no competitive element to the Adventure Division.
All pilots are tracked both for safety and - for the Race Class - for fairness, ensuring pilots have flown the entire course. We'll know where you are and when you are flying, even if you have no idea. Pilots will receive any pertinent race updates, weather reports and safety information via their tracker and have a direct line of communication with the race committee in case of emergency.
The Race Course
Costs and sign up details
Entry to the Icarus X Series, for race and adventure division, is 4000ZAR. Sign up is open now on the Adventurists website, or below.
For that, you get:
- Satellite tracking device
- A shot at the Race or Adventure Trophies
- A free spot on the Icarus Trophy if you win the Race Class race
- Comprehensive route and comms briefing pre-event
- Live tracking on the Icarus Trophy website
- A T-shirt
