OFFICIAL RULES
Six-dog race
2012
ABSTRACT
Objective: This race is organized ‘‘by mushers for mushers’’. It is not a money race and the purse will be minimal. The race is intended to provide experience for beginning mushers and to be an enjoyable run for more experienced drivers. The object of the race is to determine which musher and dogs can cover the race in the shortest time under their own power and without the aid of others. That is determined by the nose of the first dog to cross the finish line. To that end, the Torch River Run Sled Dog Race Committee has establish these rules and policies to govern the race.
OFFICIAL RULES
DESCRIPTION
The 80 mile event will begin at Lower Fishing Lake, Saskatchewan and end in Tobin Lake, Saskatchewan. There will be one checkpoint, with a dog drop option. We are taking a maximum of 15 teams in each event this year. Drivers must be 16 years or older to enter.
GENERAL RACE PROCEDURE
1. Race Start:
The 80 mile race will start at the Lower Fishing Lake Hall at 12:30 pm on Friday, March 2th, 2012 . The teams will leave the starting line at two-minute (2) intervals. Any driver who cannot leave the starting line in the order drawn will be started after the scheduled departure of the last team. Any team that cannot leave within sixty (60) minutes of the last team departure may be disqualified.
Teams will overnight at checkpoint 3 (River Trail Country Vacations) Accommodation available, and restart on Saturday morning at 8:30 AM in reverse order of Fridays’ start. Handlers and trucks are allowed at this check point. Dogs may be boxed if you so wish. The times of the two legs of the race will be added together to declare the winner.
2. Entry:
Receipt of the entry fee, completed application form, completed musher bio form, and a close-up driver photo will constitute the driver’s intent to enter the race, and further acknowledges that the driver understands and agrees to comply with each and every rule as stated. Torch River Run Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry. The maximum number of teams for the race is 15. On reaching the maximum (15), a waiting list will be established. The entry fee is $50.00, postmarked no later then January 1, 2012; any registration made after that day will be $75.00. A percentage (50%) of the entry fee is refundable until February 15, 2012.
3. Course and Checkpoints:
The course covers approximately 80 miles of mostly Northern Saskatchewan wilderness. The trail will be on snowmobile trail, so should be well groomed. In the case of a storm there will be no guarantee of a broken trail during the race. There will be a checkpoint about 40 miles from the start at River Trail Country Vacations.
4. Food/Equipment Shipment:
All food and equipment shall be carried on the sled. If a driver obtains dog food between checkpoints he/she will be disqualified.
5. Mushers Meeting / Award Banquet
The following are all mandatory. Mushers who do not attend will be fined $50.00:
· Registration – At Fishing Lake Hall on March 2, 2012 from 8:00 to 10:00am at the latest.
· The Musher’s Meeting at 10:00am
. The first team leaves at 12:30pm
· Restart at Checkpoint 3 (River Trail Country Vacations ) at 9:30am March 3th
· A post race banquet will be in Tobin Lake at 5:00 pm on March 3, 2012
6. Dropped dogs
Any injured, fatigued or sick dogs may be dropped at checkpoints designated as dog drops. All dropped dogs should have a collar with your name written legibly on it, a tie out and some food. They will be delivered to Tobin Lake or can be picked up by a drivers’ helper.
7. Race Officials (Race Marshall, Checkpoint Officials, and Race Vet)
The intent of the rules will guide the Race Marshall and the other Officials in their decisions. The RACE MARSHALL is in charge of all aspect of the race from the pre-race drivers’ meeting to the awards presentation. Race officials will act as deputies of the Race Marshall. The Race Marshall may impose, waive or reduce monetary or time penalties for unforeseen calamities that may befall a driver.
The Race Marshall in conjunction with the Race Veterinarian shall have final authority to remove a dog(s) from the race for medical or other reasons.
8. Drivers’ Meeting and Drawing
It is mandatory that all drivers attend the Musher Meeting. Each driver will draw for their starting position.
9. Claims
Each driver agrees to hold Torch River Run Dog Racing Inc., race sponsors, or other contributors harmless from any claim or demand based on any alleged action or inaction by the driver, his/her dogs, agents or other acting on his/her behalf. The driver also agrees to release the Torch River Run Sled Dog Racing Inc., race sponsors, their agents, employees and volunteers from any claim or demand resulting from injury to the driver, his/her dogs or his/her property. Further, Torch River Run Sled Dog Racing Inc. has the unqualified and unrestricted authority to permit the race sponsors to photograph and otherwise collect information for advertising, public relations, or other publicity purposes.
10. Driver Protests
A musher may protest any action of a competitor that he/she feels is contrary to the intent of these rules. To be recognized as a legitimate protest, any infraction observed by a musher must be presented in writing at the next checkpoint; no protest will be accepted or considered after 4pm, March 3th, 2012.
11. Race Bibs
Race Bibs must be worn at the start and the finish; optional the rest of the time. They must be available if you are asked for it.
TRAIL PROCEDURE
1. Gear and Equipment
The following items must be presented to the bag checker before the start and there will be random checks through out the race.
· Proper cold weather sleeping bag
· Working headlamp
· Food (musher & dog) and equipment to provide sufficient water and food for the race.
· Axe with an overall length of at least twenty-two (22) inches
· Good, well supplied First Aid Kit
Eight booties (8) booties for each dog, must be either on the dog or in the sled when checking out of the start and each checkpoint.
Any mandatory gear missing will result in a 30 minute penalty to be added to mandatory stop or on the finish time (at the discretion of the Race Marshall).
A map, compass, flares are recommended. GPS will be allowed as long as there is no communication between persons (no voice, no email, no text messaging, etc.). A GPS and the like must be declared to the Race Marshall at the start of the race. Two way communication devices of any kind are not allowed. Excess food or gear may be given only to residents along the trail, but not to other drivers. Absolutely no littering or disposal of equipment is allowed along the trail.
2. Checkpoints
· Check-In/Sign Out
Each driver must personally check in and sign out at each checkpoint before going on. The time into a checkpoint is recorded upon the team’s arrival. If more than one team arrives at a checkpoint at the same time, back teams have to wait for the official. Bags will be checked after all teams waiting have signed in. Any driver failing to sign out will receive a time penalty. Teams may return to a checkpoint for additional rest or supplies (with the Race Marshall’s approval) without penalty.
There are no restrictions where the driver rests, but it is his responsibility to ensure that his team is secure. Dogs may be boxed at Check point 3
All dogs must leave the checkpoint in harness and attached to the tow line. A dog may arrive at a checkpoint in the sled and leave in harness attached to the tow line.
· Food and Equipment
Prior to leaving the checkpoint all litter and remaining supplies must be bagged by the driver. A handler may pick up left over food and equipment not needed that was packed by the driver.
3. Standard Race Courtesy
Standard race courtesy will prevail. An overtaken driver and team must relinquish the trail at the request of the overtaking driver, except for “no-mans land” (across Tobin Lake to the finish). Ski poles may not be used within 100 yards of another team. Drivers setting up camp or stopping to feed must clear the trail of their dogs and gear. Build fires a safe distance from the trail. In no case may a driver accept assistance from a motorized vehicle between checkpoints (except as allowed in Rule 18).
4. Litter
Litter of any kind may not be left along the trail or at checkpoints. Camps must be cleaned up before the team moves on. Failure to abide by this rule may result in disqualification.
5. Tampering
No driver may tamper with another driver’s dogs, food or gear.
6. Outside Assistance
No planned help is allowed throughout the race, with the exception of helping an out of control team in the checkpoint. The intended spirit of this race dictates that the driver be self-sufficient and therefore able to help other drivers in case of real need. No assistance which would result in competitive advantage may be accepted or solicited. Handlers are not allowed on the trail between checkpoints.
7. Food, Shelter and Sleeping Areas
A driver may not make demands for food and shelter along the trail or at checkpoints. Drivers can only use these designated spots in the checkpoints. The driver has the option of sleeping with his or her own team.
8. Care and Feeding of Dogs
A driver will be removed from the race if in the judgment of the race veterinarian/race officials the musher displays an unwillingness or inability to maintain and care for dogs in a reasonable manner. All whips are prohibited. All water and food must be ingested voluntarily. There will be no mistreatment or abuse of dogs allowed. Dogs being carried in the sled must be hauled in a secured, protected, humane manner.
9. Dog Minimums and Maximums
Drivers must start with no more than 6 and no less than 5 dogs, and must finish with no fewer than 4 dogs in harness and on the towline. Dogs may not be added to the team after the start. An expired dog does not count as a dog for the minimum required.
10. Harness and Gangline
Dogs must leave checkpoints with functional, non-chafing harnesses with reflector tape on (2 inches at least on both sides of the neck and on the sides). A musher must carry cable tie-out lines or use cable center towline capable of securing the team. A spare snowhook or similar device sufficient to anchor the front of the team in rest areas is recommended. A musher is responsible for his/her dogs at all times. Biters and fighters are best left at home.
11. Marking of Dogs
All dogs will be photographed for identification at the vet check. Switching of dogs will not be permitted. Disqualification is the penalty for switching dogs.
12. Drugs
The musher must have his/her dog team free of all prohibited drugs and foreign substances from the time of the Vet Check until released by a Race Veterinarian or Race Official after the team has finished the race. Dogs that are continuing in the race shall not receive any of the following:
1. Any substance by injection
2. Acupuncture
3. Cold laser therapy
4. Any other treatment or therapy that, in the opinion of the Head Veterinarian, is not in the best interest of a dog that is to continue on in the race.
The Veterinarian will record any treatment of dogs including treatment for an existing medical condition in the Vet Book
Veterinarians may randomly collect blood and/or urine samples beginning at the Vet Check and continuing until the Finish. It is the responsibility of the musher to assist the Race Veterinarian in the collection of the samples.
If a Race Veterinarian finds it necessary to treat a dog with a prohibited drug, that dog must be dropped from the race.
The following drugs will be permitted subject to the approval of the official supervising Race Veterinarian:
1. Topical medications including DMSO
2. Dewormers
3. Antibiotics (except procaine penicillin)
4. Antidiarrheals (except those with salicylates, i.e. Pepto-Bismol)
5. Ovaban and/or Cheque Drops (milbolerone - estrus {heat} suppressant use only)
All other drugs and foreign substances are prohibited.
The musher is required to protect and guard his/her dog team against the administration, either internally or externally, of any foreign substance. A positive test indicating the presence of a foreign substance shall give rise to a presumption that the musher has failed to meet the duties imposed upon him/her.
Fines or penalties levied for violations of this rule shall be based on the seriousness of the offense and will be assessed after completion of the race. The Rules Committee will be responsible for assessing these penalties.
13. Expired Dogs
The death of any dog may result in the disqualification of the musher, and/or prohibition from entering future races. Any dog that expires during the race for any reason must be taken to the next or just passed checkpoint or dog drop and submitted to the Race Official, or it may be directly submitted to a Race Official at a sooner opportunity. If no Race Official is present, the dog may be submitted to a Race Veterinarian. A necropsy may be performed on all expired dogs by a licensed veterinary pathologist or veterinarian
14. Team Configuration
There will be no loose leaders; necklines are not required on leaders. All team dogs will be attached to the towline, no more than two dogs abreast, or hauled in the sled. Drivers are required to be in possession of functional necklines for the entire team at all times. The use of necklines may be required for individual dogs, individual team or all teams, at the discretion of the Race Marshall. Dogs may not be led by the sled.
15. Competiveness
The race marshal has the authority to withdraw a team that is no longer making or capable of a valid effort to compete. The race marshal also has the authority to withdraw a musher whose conduct, in the race Marshall’s judgment, constitutes a risk to either him/her self, his/her dogs, the dogs of other mushers, or other persons.
16. Lost Team
A driverless team or loose dog may be stopped and secured by anyone. A lost team will not be disqualified if the driver regains control of it, provided that the team and driver complete the entire trail and comply with the rules including checkpoint requirements. As long as the team and driver continue on the trail when separated, the driver may remain in the race when regaining control. A driver may receive assistance from another musher in recovering his/her team. A driver may receive assistance from a motorized vehicle to regain control of a lost team as long as the driver and team return to the point at which the team was lost and continue the race from that point. The incident must be reported at the next checkpoint.
17. Finish
Mushers must wear their Race Bib as they cross the Finish Line. Failure to do so will result in a fine. Subject to checking of mandatory gear, the time of a team’s official finish is when the nose of the first dog crosses the finish line. Should any mandatory gear be missing, 30 minutes per item will be added to the finish time. Dog teams must remain at the finish line or within the holding area if blood and/or urine samples are requested or until the team is released by the Race Marshal, a Race Official, or a Race Veterinarian.
18. Sportsmanship
The Code of the North dictates that all travelers be courteous, helpful, generous and honorable. Conduct yourself well enough so that the next musher will be welcomed with equal hospitality.
Rude behavior or inappropriate actions by a musher or handler may result in a penalty, withdrawal, or disqualification.
Any competitor or athlete worthy of the name realizes that all people—officials, volunteers, sponsors, media, and fans—are equal participants in this event, and that it is the musher’s responsibility to define the upper limits of human performance. A true Sportsman is an inspiration to all witnesses.