Ontario Federation Of Sleddog Sports
SKI-JORING RACE RULES (proposed 2008)
I. ENTRY RULES
1.0 Classes
1.1. At the option of the race giving organization, the competitions may be held in any of the following classes:
1.1.a. One dog skijoring class
1.1.b. Multiple Dog class (2 dog or 3 dog)
2.1 Pursuit start with skijoring of two or more stages for best overall time.
2.2 Mass start in skijoring in limited or multiple dog start
2.3 In multiple dog class for races over two or more stages, the drivers may
reduce their team if wanted. If the team is reduced, the driver may not add that dog back in subsequent stages. A participant is allowed to reduce the team only between stages.
2.4. The race Marshal may reduce the size of any team determined to be too large for the designated driver.
II. EQUIPMENT
3.1. All entrants shall be responsible for seeing that their equipment meets the requirement of these rules.
3.2. The equipment shall be available for inspection by the race officials before the race,
4. Hitching of Teams
4.1. In skijoring, the dogs can be harnessed in pairs.
4.2. The driver shall be connected to the team with a snub line. This snub line shall be attached to the driver’s hip belt, which must measure at least 7cm over the spinal area.
4.2.1. The belt shall have an open hook in order to make it easy to release the line, or a quick release connection ( panicsnap). It is prohibited to have any form of metal hook or ring in the end of the snub line that attaches to the driver’s belt.
4.2.2. In skijoring the length of the expanded snub line should be a minimum of 2.5 meters.
4.2.3. Only cross country skis without steel edges or sharp tips may be used.
III. TRAIL AND START RULES
5. Competition Formats
Table for classes and distances:
(For races of two or more days, these distances are for each day of the competition.)
5.1. Table for classes and distances:
RACE FORMAT COMPETITION DISTANCE
Individual start competition: One dog class 4,8,15 miles.
Multiple Dog class 4,8,20 miles
6.2. Start Procedures
6.2.1. If the team starts before the start signal is given, it will be called back for a proper start. This start will be allowed as soon as possible, but cannot take place 10 seconds before or 10 seconds after another team’s scheduled start.
6.2.2. If the team is late to the start, the team will be held and enabled to start once the appropriate time interval has elapsed after the last team.
6.2.3. In both cases the time shall be kept as if the team had started on time.
6.3. Individual start:
6.3.1. The starting interval between the participants shall be 1 or 2 minutes.
6.4. Mass start:
6.4.1. All participants start at the same starting line. If the number of participants makes it impossible with all participants in one starting line, two or more starting lines shall be added. There shall be at least 10 meters between each starting line.
6.4.2. Starting area shall be constructed according to rule 48.
6.4.3. Start signal is given by the starter with two flags.
6.4.4. The starter stands in front of the starting area, so that all starting participants are able to see the starter.
6.4.5. Starting order is given in the following way:
6.4.6. One minute before the start a sign “1” is shown.
6.4.7. Thirty (30) seconds before the start, the starter’s arms are to be positioned with the flags over the head.
6.4.8. Fifteen (15) seconds before the start, the starter’s arms are to be positioned with the flags in a horizontal position.
6.4.9. “Go,” the starter’s arms with the flags are rapidly lowered.
6.4.10. There shall be at least two race officials to check the starting line and at least two at the end of the starting chute tracks.
6.5. Pursuit start
6.5.1. In the first race of the pursuit competition, there is individual start according to bib draw.
6.5.2. In the second race of the pursuit competition, the winner of the first race starts first, the second ranked starts next, etc. The starting intervals are the same as the differences between the competitors’ times from the first race results.
7. Trail Rules
7.1. The trail shall be prepared according to standard sleddog trail rules.
7.2. The drivers shall follow their team on skis.
7.3. If a dog becomes unfit, the driver is not permitted to finish the heat.
7.4. The driver is not allowed to pace the dog(s) by running ahead of the team or assist the dog or team by pulling.
7.5. Assistance in watering or feeding dogs is permitted. The race Marshal shall designate specific spots on the trail where such help may be given.
7.6. The entire team including the dog(s) shall be in position before the starting line until the start signal is given.
7.7. During the overtaking procedure on the command “TRAIL”, the overtaken team shall make way for the passing team, shall not be skating and shall keep the skis and poles parallel to the trail.
8. Finish
8.1. A team shall have finished the heat when the first dog on the team crosses the finish line.
8.2. If a loose team crosses the finish line ahead of its driver, that team shall have finished when the driver reaches the finish line.
8.3. If an electronic device attached to drivers leg is used for time measurements, this will overrule 8.1.
Submitted for approval:
Approved by OFSS: