Pitka Recon Challenge Starts
Sixteen teams from six countries took to the course last night outside Tallinn in the Admiral Pitka military endurance event, which replaces Erna Retk as the highest-profile international competition organized by the country's home guard.
The countries represented are Estonia, Finland, Belgium, Poland, Georgia and Lithuania - all of them longtime Erna veterans. Military representatives from China, the US and Denmark are participating as observers, ERR radio reported.
The rules are the same as in previous years: four-member teams make their way through dozens of kilometers of "hostile territory" during a 48-hour period, putting survival and military field skills to the test, gathering intelligence on enemy operatives and moving stealthily all the while. There are many rules - for instance, travel on certain larger roads is forbidden.
This year's competition is taking place in Harju County, in the Keila, Padise, Saku and Saue municipalities. The foot race at the finish will be held in Rummu.