Dear Kelly Day,

I am writing to you in hopes of correcting some misleading information
presented by your news organization. I am referring to your news broadcast on
September 23, 2004 concerning the tragic death of Nigel Aylott while competing
in the 2004 Subaru Primal Quest Adventure Race in Washington State.

During the broadcast, and also in the printed version available on your site,
your organization refers to Adventure Racing as a "Reality Show" and the
athletes as "Contestants". This is offensive to Adventure Racers who are
dedicated, hardworking and highly skilled athletes. Referring to an Adventure
Race as a "Reality Show" is no more accurate then calling the Olympics a
Reality Show.

Becoming a successful Adventure Racer, specially one that races at the level of
The Subaru Primal Quest, takes years of training, dedication and extreme hard
work. Adventure Racers are some of the most highly skilled outdoors people in
the world and without question some of the toughest endurance athletes as well.
Most adventure racers hold a number of awards and titles in a variety of
outdoor sports in addition to Adventure Racing.

While "Reality Shows" may be popular in the world of television, comparing a
dedicated athlete to a contestant on a prefabricated show cannot fail to
mislead and offend.

I founded and operate Oregon's largest Adventure Racing Club, PDX Adventure
Racer. To date, we have close to 400 members, the vast majority of which live
within your reporting demographic.

I invite you, or your staff, to visit our website at www.pdxadventureracer.com
to gain a better understanding of the sport.

I am also happy to provide you, or your staff, with any further information you
may want on this dynamic sport.

I directed this letter to you, at the urging of a number of my members
who were bothered by the comparison. I was unable to identify the exact
Reporter responsible for the story, so if you feel someone else would be better
suited to receive this letter, please forward it to them on my behalf.

Best of luck in your continued reporting and thank you in advance for your
attention to this matter.

Best regards,


Paul Field
Founder, www.pdxadventureracer.com




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