International Police Winter Games Racing Rules


SECTION I
OFFICIALS

1.1 Race Committee

The Race Committee shall consist of three members of the International Police Winter Games Board of Directors, two members of the ski area Race Department, and two members from other police agencies.

The Race Committee shall select/appoint additional members to perform specific functions prior to, during, and following the Winter Games.

1.2 Responsibilities of the Race Committee

The Race Committee shall perform the following tasks and hold meetings as necessary to complete those tasks:

a) Appoint the Race Jury
b) Establish race schedules, location and format 
c) Determine racer classifications based on Seed Race results or prior years race results 
d) Acquire/Arrange for timing equipment 
e) Assist in trophy/medal awards ceremony

1.3 Race Jury

Appointed by the Race Committee, the Race Jury shall consist of five members:
  (define each role list below)

a) Chief of Race 
b) Chief of Course
c) Technical Delegate
d) Referee
e) Assistant Referee

1.4	Responsibilities of the Race Jury

The Race Jury shall perform the following tasks:

a) Conduct race procedures and enforce established rules
b) Working with area Race Departments to determine course location, gate/flag locations  
c) Review and rule on all races disputes/protests
d) Finalize all race and team results




SECTION II

RACE RULES AND REGULATIONS

2.1 Racer Eligibility
 
Anyone competing in the International Police Winter Games must be a full time peace officer or an honorably retired full time peace officer (including retired for disability) from any police agency in the World.  The Board of Directors will determine final eligibility.

2.2 Racer Classification

The primary basis for classifying racers is according to their ability.  The International Police Winter Games classification system is based on ability within specified age groups (divisions).  There are separate divisions for men and woman.  The divisions and classifications are as follows:

a) Open Division 

Any racer shall be moved to the Open class based on the following criteria:

1) Any racer who has won one gold metal in any of the following divisions:	Senior A, Veteran A, Master A in the current year or any prior year.
2) Any racer determined by the Race Committee. 
3) By request of the racer.

Classifications specifically excluded are Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters and Closed divisions unless determined otherwise by the Race Committee.  The size of the Open Class will be dependent by the number of racers eligible.  

b) "Gold Grand Master" - Racers that are 70 years of age or older.

c) "Great Grand Master" - Racers that are 60 to 69 years of age.

d) "Grand Master" - Racers that are 50 to 59 years of age.

e) "Masters" - Racers that are 40 to 49 years of age.

f) "Veterans" - Racers that are 30 to 39 years of age.

g) "Seniors" - Racers that are less than 30 years old.

h) "Closed" - Beginning skiers of any age that are removed from a competitive standpoint from their age group.

2.3 Seeding

Each racer will be classified according to their age, ability and sex.  Because of the influx of new racers each year, it is required that racers re-seed each year.  The only exception to this policy is if a racer was classified in the Open Division or if a racer requests Open Division status.

a) A "Nastar" type Giant Slalom race format will be used for the Seeding Race.  

b) Each racer will be allowed two runs to determine their race classification.  At least one completed run is required in order to be classified in a racing division.

c) The second run must be on the same course as the first run.

d) If a racer fails to seed the first day (seeding day), that racer will be placed in the unseeded classification of their age bracket.  The race is ineligible for metal or team points when classified as unseeded. 

2.4 Reclassification

Misjudging a skier's racing ability is prevalent in recreational racing due to both racing inexperience and rapid progress in racing abilities at especially intermediate levels.  Consequently, some common guidelines for treating such occurrences are presented:

a) Upgrading

The Race Committee will review and decide if any racer should be upgraded.    The Race Committee will notify a racer of their change in racing classification. The following are reasons a racer could be upgraded:

1) Any racer finishing in first place in their class excluding those situations mentioned in section 2.2.

2) Any racer whose time is better than third place in the racing category above theirs will be upgraded immediately.  However, they will be awarded a metal and team points for that race. 

3) Any racer requesting an upgrade.

4) "Sandbagger Rule".  An racer, who becomes seeded into a category as a result of the seeding race and in a subsequent race gets a time which is equal to or better than third place in any category above, will be immediately upgraded to that higher category or division.  That racer will not be awarded a medal or team points in that category that he or she originally seeded, nor shall the racer be awarded a medal in the category into which the racer is being upgraded.

5) A racer who experiences difficulty during the seeding race which results in an inappropriate initial seeding classification may request to be upgraded.  The Sandbagger Rule shall apply until the new racer is correctly seeded.

b) Downgrading

Any racer may request downgrading.  Such request will be acted upon by the Race Committee.

1) Every racer who places last in their race division will automatically be downgraded to the next division, unless otherwise deemed inappropriate by the Race Committee.  Example, if the downgrade will allow the racer an extreme advantage by multiple seconds over the 1st place finisher in the lower division.  Excluded in the automatic downgrade are open division racers. 

2.8 Racing Rules

a) Definition of a Valid Run 
A valid run consists of starting after an established countdown, both feet passing between all gates with both skis attached and finishing the course properly timed.

b) Starting Rules

The competitor must have both ankles behind the starting line or gate and both poles in front of the line or behind the line if he or she desires.  The racer will go when the starter announces 5-4-3-2-1, GO.  The racer is allowed to go anytime after he or she hears the number 5.   The official starter has the responsibility of declaring a valid or false start.

c) Disqualification

The following will result in an automatic disqualification:

1) Missing a gate.
2) Both feet not passing through a gate (straddling a gate is not permitted).
3) Going through a finish gate without a least one ski attached.
4) Receiving physical assistance during the race.
5) Racer fails to let an overtaking racer pass on first demand (in case of two racers on the course simultaneously).
6) Skiing through two consecutive gates of the course prior to the race.

The following actions are subject to disqualification and require Race Jury decision. The Race Committee at the conclusion of the race will post a disqualification list.

1) When both a disqualifying action and timing malfunction occur during the same run, the first occurrence takes precedence.
2) Refusal to work on the race is subject to disqualification.
3) Shadowing the course (e.g. skiing non-stop adjacent to the edge of the course) prior to or during the race.
4)  Not signing the individual racer release form.
5) Unsportsmanlike conduct.
6) Failure to have your racing bib visible while racing.
7) Not paying delinquent fees, if required.
8) Going though the starting gate and not finishing the course shall be a DNF.

d) Penalties

Late arrivals will race at the end of their category in progress or as soon as possible.

e) Re-runs

All re-runs shall be allowed as soon as possible, regardless of category.  Re-runs will be permitted for the following reasons:

1) False Start - It is the starter responsibility to call back the racer before they pass through the second gate (after the starting gate).  Only one false start is allowed per race.
2) Timer malfunction (human or mechanical) - in the event of a start-time malfunction, an attempt should be made to stop the racer before they finish the course.
3) All timers/clocks are judged to be in error by an official timer.
4) Outside interference to the racer, in which case the racer will stop immediately and inform a gatekeeper of the interference.

f) Protests

1) All malfunctions and discrepancies under protest shall be reported to the Technical Delegate, Chief of Course, or Chief of Race as soon as possible and be recorded immediately.
2) If a racer protests interference during a run, a re-run is permitted, however the race jury shall either recognize the protest and allow the second run or disallow the protect and accept the first run.
3) All protests must be presented in writing to a member of the Race Jury within 15 minutes of the end of the race.  
4) A protest fee of $25.00 - U.S. must accompany the protest.


g) Cancellations, Postponements, Location Changes

1) All races will be started regardless of weather or visibility (such as rain, snow, hail, sleet, slush, etc.) pending the decision of the Race Committee. Cancellations and race location change made by the ski area management, race director or Race Committee will be honored.
2) Location change shall be posted at least one hour prior to the start of the race at the registration area.  
3) The Race Committee will determine postponement of a race to a later date or time within15 minutes of the start of the race.  Cancellation of a race with be determined by the Race Committee and can occur at any time prior to the race. 

h) Results (Official)

The race results shall be declared official only after all of the following conditions are met:

1) All protests have been acted upon.
2) All race entry fees have been paid as required.
3) The Race Jury has met and approved the results as compiled and presented.


SECTION 3
Operations and Procedures

3.1 Racer's Responsibilities

a) Assist in the conduct of the race before, during and after the race by packing, gatekeeping, timing, removing poles, transportation of equipment or performing any duty assigned by the Chief of Race, if requested.
b) Payment of the proper entry fees in a timely manner.  
c) Obtain and where bibs numbers during the race.
d) Run the seeding race as required.
e) Check any possible race time or location changes.
f) Be at the starting gate prior to the start of your race.

3.2	Board of Directors Responsibilities

The conduct of the race is the prime responsibility of the Board of Directors with the assistance of the Race Committee.

a) Must assure that all racers have signed individual race entry/release forms.
b) Must assure that each racer has a permanent bib number for the race.
c) Must assure that once registration is closed the master-seeding list is posted along with seeding race locations and time. 

3.3	Entry Fees        
	
The racer prior to participating in any of the race events must pay entry fees. 

3.4	Assignment of Race Officials      

The Race Chairman and his committee select the officials for the race with the assistance of the Board of Directors.  The following officials are recommended:

a) Chief of Course and one or two assistants.**
b) Time keeper with two back-up timers (start and finish).**
c) Starter with assistant to line up the racers.**
d) Chief gatekeeper with adequate number of gate keepers.**

**  Usually will be supplied by the local race department.

3.5   	Race Operation and Course Setting

The racecourse will typically be determined, set and maintained by the ski area race department personnel.

3.6	Course Maintenance

a) Gatekeepers are responsible for the gates in their control and may stop the race until the gates or the course has been repaired.
b) Any racer when asked to assist with course maintenance by the race department or race committee will do so.

3.7 Starter at Starting Gate

a) Starter must have a complete start list prior to the start of the race.
b) Have the next racer in the starter gate immediately after the previous racer starts and stand-by for a 10 second warning.
c) Starter calls in his microphone and to the racer for the time.  5-4-3-2-2-.1-GO.
d) The timer on the headset shall give a 10-second warning to the racer in the start gate prior to the final countdown.

3.8 Timer at Finishing Gate

a) The timer at the finish line will have a complete start list of the racers prior to the start of the race. 
b) Back - up timers will synchronize their watches.
c) the timers and recorders will sign their race forms as needed.

3.9 Gatekeepers on Course

a) Make gatekeeping assignments prior to the race.
b) Assign no more than four gates per gatekeeper.
c) Have gatekeeper's cards ready and available.
d) Instruct on how to fill out the gate keeper card.
e) Insure that the gatekeepers have access to proper communication via radio's or hand signals.
f) Mark all disqualification's (DSQ) immediately and record the observed error by the racer.
g) Do not render any assistance to racers on the course unless the racer is injured or elects not to compete in the race.

3.10 Fore-Runners

Either a ski instructor, class A racer or equivalent who are not racing can be forerunners in order to set a good line for the racers to follow.  When more than one course is set, each forerunner must run each course to establish an equitable comparison of times.




3.11 Rules

Any rule not covered in this document shall be governed by F.I.S. rules.  If conflicts exist, the rules of this document, the International Police Winter Games Racing Rules, will take precedent.	
Revision Date   02/23/01		Page 3 of 1