22nd IARU World ARDF Championships – August 16–22, 2025 in Birštonas, Lithuania

[Nadia Scharlau]

ATTENTION: ALL U.S. RADIO ORIENTEERS

If you plan—or even think you might plan—to attend the 22nd IARU World ARDF Championships in Birštonas, Lithuania, from August 16 to August 22, 2025, please let us know right away. Whether you hope to compete as part of Team USA, attend as a guest, or serve as a team official, we need your information now.

Please also let us know if you will bring any visitors.

The organizers require a Letter of Intent well in advance so they can arrange adequate accommodations. To help us meet this requirement, email your plans to:
nadia.s...@gmail.com

Thank you for your prompt response!

73,
Nadia Scharlau, KO4ADV
Ruth Bromer, WB4QZG
Co-chairs, USA Team Selection Subcommittee

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Website: arrl.org/ro

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22nd IARU ARDF World Championships Announcement
The Lithuania Radio Club has disseminated Bulletin 1 for the 22nd IARU World ARDF Championships, which will be held from August 16 to August 22, 2025, in Birštonas, Lithuania: http://ardf2025.lt/bulletin/. Competitors representing the USA in the championships will be selected based on their performances at USA Radio Orienteering Championships. Invitations to join Team USA will be sent out after the USA Championship 2025.

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Rules for World Championship Competitors

Competitors shall have full passport-holding citizenship of the USA. Competitors with dual nationality may compete for either of the countries of which they are nationals. Other nationals living at least one year in the USA may also participate, representing the ARRL; the legitimacy of national residence shall be proven by an official document (e.g., government-issued paperwork). The competitor may represent just one country in a calendar year.

[Gheorghe Fala]

Hello team, 

I noticed this information:  Entry fees: Competitors: EUR 70 per competition. Full package EUR 280 per whole event (registration, transport to start and from finish, souvenirs, hamfest etc.). Team officials: EUR 40 per competition. Full package EUR 160 per whole event (registration, transport to start and from finish, souvenirs, hamfest etc.). Visitors: EUR 15 per competition (transport to finish and back). EUR 60 per whole event. Hamfest (separate fee for visitors): EUR 35 Important. 

The above-mentioned fees apply until 15 June 2025. Payments made after 15 June 2025 will incur a 50% late fee  

We should pay before June 15, but we don't have any instructions about who is taking care of this for our team and how we should send our payments.  

Gheorghe

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[Charles Scharlau]

Hi Gheorghe,

Information on how you should submit fees will be sent out to potential USA team members by early next week. You will be asked to submit payment to Nadia, in US dollars, and our team’s fees will be sent as one lump sum before the deadline.

Charles Scharlau 

USA ARDF Co-coordinator 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/radio-o-usa/CAPnLJ34-dQpFuzD5HXDOpBv_MEyq5tF%2B5p5WjUMNg-3K9_Tm2w%40mail.gmail.com.

[Ruth Bromer]

Charles or Nadia, 

Do you know what happens if someone pays and then has to drop out? Or if someone pays, drops out, but someone else who hadn't paid wants to go? 

Ruth 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/radio-o-usa/CAK-GiwaeZWwEbX93-d3mf_uJYEGawLDXCa0Wkyy-je_EBia%3D4g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Charles Scharlau]

Dear Ruth, Gheorghe, et al,

Here is the latest plan regarding payments and refunds of WC fees.

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Pay by June 10

Early next week, invitees will receive a short note titled “Worlds 2025 Fee Info.” It will show the dollar amounts owed, the details for sending your share to Nadia, and the exact date (probably June 10) we need your payment so the United States can beat the 15 June late-fee cutoff (fees rise 50 % after that date).

Our payment window will open after the USA Championships roster solidifies following the registration deadline; this will allow athletes to have a clearer understanding of their opportunities to participate at the World Championships either within their category or in a younger category, before remitting payment. We are hopeful that everyone can be accommodated on the team even if some might be placed in a younger category.

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How much will it cost?

Bulletin 2 lists the fees that apply through 15 June: €70 per competition or €280 for the full package for competitors; €40/€160 for team officials; and €15/€60 for visitors, plus a €35 hamfest ticket for visitors . The Fee Info message will convert those totals to U.S. dollars.

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Refunds should be flexible

World Championships organizers have a history of reasonable refunds, and we are assuming the same spirit this year. If you withdraw after paying and a replacement steps in, the simplest path is a direct reimbursement between you and the newcomer; otherwise we will request a formal refund from the organizers.

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Team-USA selection—important dates

• USA Championships (Morrow Mountain, 18–22 June). This is the primary qualifier. If you hope to race in Lithuania, be sure you are entered.

• Exceptions. Athletes with recent international medals who have contacted us in the past month to confirm their desire to participate on Team USA, or qualified individuals filling uncontested slots, may be invited even if they cannot attend Morrow Mountain.

• Crowded categories. Classes such as M60, M50, and W55 may have more strong contenders than slots available. Those with a fourth-place finish or lower may still get a Worlds start, either in their own class (if space opens) or by sliding into a younger class with a vacancy. 

• 13 July. Final list of names is due to the organizers, so we have a brief window after the USA Championships to tweak the roster.

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What happens next

1. Early next week: Worlds 2025 Fee Info e-mail arrives to invited team members.

2. By 10 June: Those invited will remit fees to Nadia so she can send one consolidated wire.

3. 22 June–13 July: We adjust the roster as needed and, if someone withdraws, swap names or process refunds.

The growing depth of talent in U.S. radio-orienteering is a good problem to have, and we appreciate everyone’s patience while things get sorted out. Questions are always welcome.

73,
Charles E. Scharlau, NZØI
USA ARDF Co-Coordinator