Extension for Challenges 7 and 8

Due to the ice storm that hit a major portion of the United States this week, and as the majority of our racers live in the United States, after significant racer input and long discussion, Natural Designs has chosen to extend the deadline for Challenges 7 and 8 for all racers to next Sunday, February 8 to coincide with the deadline for Challenges 9 and 10. So just to be clear, Challenges 7, 8, 9 and 10 will all be due on Sunday, February 8.

Yes, we understand that many racers completed the challenges by the original deadline, and that some may benefit that were not impacted by the ice storm. We are not generally in favor of exceptions to the rules, due to the large numbers involved in the race and the difficulty of trying to manage individual exceptions. If an individual racer were to miss a deadline due to, as someone referred to this, "a natural disaster", we would not make an exception. But because of the scope of this particular issue, the only fair way to deal with it is to extend the deadline not only for those impacted, but for all racers. On an individual basis, there is little that we can do to verify a claim. In this situation, it is pretty apparent that an ice storm did occur, and that a significant part of the country was impacted. We hope that an extra seven days will allow everyone affected with an opportunity to complete and upload their challenge.

On a separate note, the deadlines for redeeming challenge prize coupons has been extended by Anita Stergiou Designs until February 7 and by Inspiration Lane until February 28. We urge you to take advantage of these offers sooner rather than later to ensure that you have no problems accessing your challenge gifts.