Search

• basket
• contact
• brochure
• hire
• buy

• World IRC
• 2012 Team GB Report
• Past Results
• Past Reports

Competitor Information

Travel

Visa Requirements:

Since 12 January 2009, UK travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa, have required an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US. This is now mandatory and travellers can register for authorisation online through the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel. If you do not hve an ESTA you will be refused travel to the USA.

For more information about travelling to the United States please see the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website.

Insurance

The issue of competition/rowing specific insurance is an important one, and Team Manager Kimberley Naylor-Perrott has spoken again to Philip Bacon from Global Travel Insurance and writes as follows:-:

I am aware that many of those travelling as individuals (those travelling with the Royal Navy will be covered under their own policy), will not see the need to obtain specific insurance to cover their trip to Boston - save for their existing travel insurance. However, when I first investigated this issue way back in 2002, it became clear that most (if not all) annual/single trip policies will not cover injuries or illness arising from competing at the CRASH-Bs. Most of the companies believe that Indoor rowing competitions come under the banner of a 'dangerous sport'!

In recent years I have returned to Global Travel as they have agreed to provide insurance specifically involving participation in the CRASH-Bs. It has just been confirmed that they will do likewise in 2012. I won't beat about the bush - it is eye-wateringly expensive! If you do decide to take the cover out (again I am in no way connected with the company - I simply recommend them as they provide specific cover) you will need to go to table in the form [download here] and choose Area 4 - the USA, then calculate your period of stay. Thereafter, please do not forget to add 100% of the base premium - ie double the amount - as this is the specific cover element for the competition.

At the end of the day, it is down to the individual whether you choose to take out this or another specific policy, but please remember should you need hospitalisation arising out of anything to do with competing, medical expenses in the USA are extremely high!

• Global Travel Insurance
• A1 Yeoman Gate
• Yeoman Way
• Worthing
• West Sussex
• BN13 3QZ
• Direct Tel: 01903 277090
• Email: Philip Bacon - Managing Director

Venue

The Agganis Arena is located at 925 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. Visit the Agganis Arena web site for complete details of the facility. Agganis Arena has the following amenities available for use by C.R.A.S.H.-B. Sprints participants: bathrooms, locker rooms with showers, water fountains, and elevators. There are several food vendors on the upper concourse as well as a number of food options outside the arena.

• Competitors and spectators are not allowed to bring food into the arena.
• Food consumption is NOT allowed on the arena floor.

Agganis Arena Floor Plan

Public Transport & Directions

Using the Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority "T" (subway) is a handy alternative to driving and parking. With Green Line stops conveniently located right at the doorstep to the Arena, the "T" is a transportation option to consider when traveling to and from the Arena:

Green Line

• Lechmere, Science Park, North Station, or Haymarket, take any Green Line train to Government Center. Transfer to the Westbound "B" train
• The "C" (Cleveland Circle) or "D" (Riverside) train, take any train inbound to Kenmore Square. Transfer to the outbound platform and board the "B" train
• The "E" (Heath Street) train, take any train inbound to Arlington station. Transfer to the outbound platform and board the "B" train
• Take the "B" train to either the St. Paul Street or Pleasant Street stop; both are approximately one block from the Arena

Red Line

• Take the Red Line to Park Street
• Once at Park Street transfer to the Westbound Green Line "B" train
• Take the "B" train to either the St. Paul Street or Pleasant Street stop; both are approximately one block from the Arena.

Blue Line

• Take the Blue Line train to Government Center,
• Once at Government Center transfer to the Westbound "B" train
• Take the "B" train to either the St. Paul Street or Pleasant Street stop; both are approximately one block from the Arena

Orange Line

• Take the Orange Line train to Downtown Crossing
• Once at Downtown Crossing, follow the underground concourse to the Park Street station on the Green Line
• Board the Westbound "B" train
• Take the "B" train to either the St. Paul Street or Pleasant Street stop; both are approximately one block from the Arena

Agganis Arena Map Subway Map

Accommodation

There are two hotels is Boston with whom Concept2 Inc have negotiated a discounted rate of $99 per person:

The international reception will be from 12-2 on Saturday at the Royal Sonesta. As usual, this will be followed by early registration.

Warm Up Machines

Workout Ergs will be available at the Royal Sonesta in University B & C (Lobby level just beyond the Art Bar) from Wednesday till noon on Saturday.

Across the road from the Sonesta, the Hotel Marlowe also has workout Ergs. They will be in room ‘Serrano C’ from Wednesday till noon on Saturday.

International Competitor Luncheon

Concept2 Inc and CRASH-B will be hosting an International Competitors Luncheon in the Grand Ballroom of the Royal Sonesta between 12:00 and 14:00 on Saturday 18th - all international competitors are welcome.

Athlete Check-In

There are two ways for competitors to check-in for the 2012 CRASH-B Sprints:

1. Early check-in on Saturday, February 18th at the Royal Sonesta Boston in Cambridge (14:00 - 16:00). There will not be a weigh-in for Lightweight entrants on this day.
2. Race day check-in on Sunday, February 19th at Agganis Arena.

Adaptive athletes are not required to be officially classified by any organization. They are simply asked to understand the descriptions of the 24 adaptive events and to choose the appropriate event based on their best knowledge of themselves. All adaptive events are 1000 meters in distance. The adaptive events are held during the same time slot, so there is a limit to the number of competitors that can be accommodated. Please let me know about any potential adaptive entries as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment.

The Agganis Arena opens at 07:00. All competitors can register at any time but should do so no less than 60 minutes before their race. Registration will take place from 07:00 onward on the main concourse.

When you check-in, you will receive your Athlete Registration Card (ARC) listing your heat, start time, and erg assignment.

The ARC is very important - do not lose it. This card is required to access the competition area on the floor of the arena. If a card is lost, please report back to the check-in area immediately.

Competitors racing as a Lightweights or Coxswains must weigh-in between one and two hours BEFORE racing, no exceptions. Please bring the ARC to the weigh-in. Please note that the weigh-in area is open from 07:00 until one hour before the final Lightweight event. Athletes who fail to weigh in will still row on their assigned erg at their originally assigned time; only their results will be moved (into the Open category of their event). N.B. Coxswains who fail to weigh in will be allowed to weigh in to have their results moved into the appropriate Lightweight category.

All athletes will be given one coxswain ticket to allow a personal coxswain/coach onto the floor during their race.

Scroll to top

© 2012 Shine Limited. The Biggest Loser is a registered trademark of Reveille LLC and is operated under license by Shine Limited. All Rights Reserved.