How did it start
As always in life, any huge undertaking starts from something small. Same thing happened with Ukraine trophy – the largest and lengthiest Ukrainian off-road trophy. It was brought up from small steps, ideas, enthusiasm, thoughts, trials and errors.
A dream to host a week-long race from Kiev to Shatsk was born fairly recently – in 2005. That’s when a team of enthusiasts, led by Sergey Osadchiy, riding ATVs, mapped a course along the northern border of Ukraine. Participants of that adventure (called “Northern border”) still remember that unforgettable experience, which allowed them to overcome hard terrain, everyday nuisances, and at the end to overcome one’s own character.
This dream materialized in a form of sporting event during ATL-trophy 2009. Again Northern border of Ukraine, hard terrain, hardship of everyday life during that week: a week in swamps, in moist environment, and among mosquitoes. But every participant remembers that sweet taste of victory. Everyone was a victor, whether the prize-winner, or just a person who crossed the finish line. For majority of the participants “ATL trophy 2009” became one the major off-road events in their life and most of them still keep telling stories about the event: how they almost drowned; how, standing neck deep in swamp, they took the mark; how they overturned their vehicles; how they fed gadflies; and of course how they celebrated victory.
Now we are in 2011. New Ukraine-trophy it’s a new level, new race Kiev-Shatsk, and new mark that we set and will overcome.
This event will surely become international!
Why Kiev-Shatsk? A little bit about the route
So why did the organizers choose this route? Why Polissya?
Polissya – it’s a kingdom of untouched wilderness. There still exist the continuous forest tracts, extending hundreds of kilometers in length. When, during World War II, when decision was being made as to where to host the meeting of leaders of partisan forces, Northern Polissya was an obvious choice.
Complete solitude and isolation from the rest of the world, large swamps with deep and dangerous fords that’s what make it a heaven for real sportsman.
Ovruch
It’s a city in Ukraine, known from ancient times. First reference dates back to 946 AD, and relate to Princess Olga. Also, it’s known that Prince Oleg died here in 977 AD.
Ovruch was the object of constant raids by Mongol-Tatars. Many times it was destroyed, but every time it was resurrected. Remains of forts, dated back to X – XIV centuriesAD, still exist in Ovruch. The oldest church in Ovruch is a church of St. Vassiliy. It was built in 1190 AD on the sport where even older church was erected. That church was wooden and was built in 997 AD. According to a legend that church was built by Kiev Prince Vladimir, who converted to Christianity and chose name Vassiliy.
Glinnoe
Remote village Glinnoe of Rovenskaya region, separated from cities and plants, every year, in spite of demographical laws, “harvests” 200 or more newborn children. Village of Glinnoe is a record holder of the birth rate not only in the Ukraine, but also in Europe. What’s the reason of such high birth rate? This is a riddle for anyone, but not for inhabitants of Glinnoe. A lot of children were being born to local families before the war, during the war, during soviet regime, during starving 90s, and during crisis, regardless of whether government is paying for children or just rewards mothers with medals “Mother- Heroine” (there are 450 of them in Glinnoe). Present large-family mothers grew up in the large families; therefore they do not see a different lifestyle for themselves besides maternal concerns. This is simply geneticalin the local women.
In the Glinnoe grows the oldest oak in the Ukraine. There is a legend that this tree is a culprit of high birth rate. Oak- Patriarch is approximately 1360 years old. This tree is a unique combination of natural treasure and historical heritage as it’s among 10 oldest trees of Europe.
Next to the oak a convent was constructed. It’s a Holy place. Newly-weds first of all go to the oak and request it’s blessings for the strong marriage and many children. Some childless women come to the oak to ask for a child subsequently they find joys of motherhood.
Zarechnoe
Narrow gauge railroad Antonovka-Zarechnoe in the Rovenskoyregion in the northwest Ukraine – undoubtedly, one of the most surprising and most mysterious railroads of our country. Belonging to MPS (now Ukrzalyznytse), it was and remains “secret” – in the diagrams, the railroad atlases, the timetables, and other references it didn’t and doesn’t exist.This railroad consists of tens of wooded bridges, semaphores and other rare railroad equipment.
But the most unusual is,of course, that it did not share the fate of the majority of old narrow gauge railroads and lived until our time without cargo passing through it and incurring enormous financial losses. This is truly surprising! The exact date of the beginning of construction of this narrow-gauge railroad is not known. Tentatively it’s 1895. Nature in these parts of VolynskiyPolissya is beautiful: the pine forests (abundance of reindeer moss and cranberrycreates the illusion of northern regions), rivers and fields… Maintransport here, besides the narrow gauge railroad, is horses and horse buggies. Carsare rare sights.
Nevir
The village Nevir of the Lyubeshovskiy borough of Volynregionis a small populated area, through which our route lies. What’s known about this town? Historical date of birth is 1662 AD. Population of Nevir is 539 people. Also, Nevir“gave”to The World bishop Shepetovskiy and Slavutskiy of the Ukrainian orthodox church of Vladimir (KonstantinPavlovichMelnik (born on November 26, 1968)).
Shatsk
Shatsk – the regions center, located in the northwest of Volyn, in close proximity to Ukrainian – Polish state border. The first written reference about it dated back to 1410, when Polish king Yagayla sent hunters into the Shatskie forests for the preparation of meat for military needs. In 1595 Shatsk is mentioned in literature as a town. The earliest settlements include such villages of region as Svityaz, Pulmo, Pischa, and Ostrovya.
Today Shatskis known because of the national park “Shatskie lakes”. Within the limits of Shatskie national park is concentrated the greatest potential of recreational resources. Park represents tens of unique cleanest lakes, picturesque nature, unique plant and animal kingdom, and medicinal climate. All–in–all, Volin adds up to 220 lakes, 22 of which are located in Shatskie national park.Informally they arecalled “Shatskie”, since they were located near Shatskvillage. Each one has its own name though: Svityaz,Pulemetskoe,Luki,Lyutsimer,Ostrovyanskoe,Krymnoe, Pesochnoe,and others. Largest one is Svityaz(which is also one of the seven miracles of the Ukraine in the category of the miracles of nature).
Instead of the epilogue
To us, organizers, it would be desirable to embrace the “unembraceable” within the framework of the trophy. We strive to make “Ukraine Trophy” not just another off-road sporting contest, but also a family journey through the most beautiful places of Ukrainian Polissya. It would be desirable to make possibilities for all participantsto detach from urban life, to “wrestle” equipment, to presentthemselves and their abilities, and simplyenjoy the time. We wish all of you success and may the strongest win!
