RACE RULES FOR THE

Race Rules for the Red Fox Adventure Race 2018

Goals and objectives

Propaganda of healthy life-style. Popularization and development of adventure races as sport in Russia. Involving of the population in regular outdoor sport. Sharing the unique nature and landscapes of the North-West region of the Russian Federation with the racers.

Organisation

Organizer of the Race: Red Fox Company
Chairman of the Organisation Committee: Olga Moroz
Designer and Chief Judge: Vitalij Chegarovskij
Vice Chairman of the Organisation Committee, Safety Manager: Denis Kuprienko
Responsible for installation of the rope course: Alexander Ovcharuk
Supervisor of the volunteers: Dmitrij Bulavinov
Manager of the Race Centre: Ilya Kuznetsov
Electronic timekeeping: Jurij Gultjaev
Chief secretary: Aljona Strepetova

Date and location of the Race center

The Red Fox Adventure Race 2018 will be held in the picturesque Leningrad Region, the Karelian Isthmus on banks of Vuoksi river on June 9-12, 2018.

The Race Centre is located near Barishevo village, on the shore of Vuoksi river, where participants and organizers will be staying in tents.

Race format

Race format - non-stop adventure race. External assistance isn't provided but possible.

Team’s nominations

For each class: SHORT or LONG there are three nominations:
1. team of 4 racers (at least one woman)
2. team of 2 racers – MM ranking
3. team of 2 racers – MW or WW ranking

Each racer has to reach the age of 18 by the start of the race.

Rules for passing the different sections

The first part of route for each class (SHORT and LONG) is mandatory for passing. It should be passed in specified order: you can’t change the order of passing of stages and miss any check point at each stage. This part represents almost a half of all possible for passing distance. After overcoming of these obligatory routes the team can pass the additional routes according to its opportunities choosing the check points possible for taking in time left except the several obligatory.

There will be only 3 or 4 obligatory check points for teams of SHORT class after passing of mandatory routes. You can take its only in estimate time period. Besides, the teams can take many bonus check points. Teams of SHORT class can choose any way of moving allowed by the Rules and take in any order so many bonus check points how will be able.

There will be some obligatory check points for teams of LONG class after passing of mandatory routes. You can take its only in estimate time period and using the concrete way of moving estimated by the Route sheet. Besides, the teams can take many bonus check points in any order.

Check points of mandatory routes are connected by the red line with arrows of moving direction on the map. Coastering routes are marked by dashed line.

There will be a swimming lap of 50 m length (near the race center) that is not marked on the race scheme.

- After passing of mandatory route the teams have to come back to the Race Center and download and clear data from their electronic chips at judges of electronic timing. It’s possible there will be organized the additional places of downloading data from the electronic chips.
- Each competitor has to obey to all the requirements and conditions specified by these Regulations.
- The participant has to follow to instructions and demands of judges and volunteers during the Race.

Registering the Race competitor confirms to follow all the requirements stated in these Regulations.

Mandatory equipment

All team’s members must have personal mandatory equipment when it is specified. Team mandatory equipment also has to be available. The judges have a right to check the mandatory equipment at any stage of the route. It will be a penalty one point for the lack of one of subjects.

Before registration each racer should personally pass the test of mandatory equipment specified by these Regulations. The participants who didn't undergo testing or presented equipment inappropriate to the requirements aren't allowed to the start. The detailed technical requirements for mandatory equipment at fixed ropes stages see in special chapter: "technical requirements for mandatory equipment".

During the whole race all the teams must have the following general team mandatory equipment:
1. First aid kit in sealed package. It includes: Bandage of 6 cm width - 2 pcs. Plaster of min 3 cm width. Anaesthetic (like paracetamol and others). Anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen and others). Aseptic bandage and cotton wool – 1 pcs.
2. Knife
3. Matches in sealed package
4. Mobile phone fully charged in sealed package

During the whole race all team’s members must have the following personal mandatory equipment:
1. Compass
2. Whistle
3. Light with a double stock of batteries

Personal mandatory equipment for mountain bike stage:
1. Mountain bike with rear red light
2. Helmet
3. Bike gloves
4. Maps (received at Team registration)
5. Team’s number (given by organizers at Team registration) must be fixed at the front of the bike

Recommended equipment for mountain bike stage:
1. Clothing according to the weather
2. Spare tube for each team’s member
3. Bicycle repair kit
4. Food reserve for this stage
5. Bike map-board on handlebar

Participants must obey traffic regulations.
It's mandatory to use helmet during the whole MTB stage.

Team mandatory equipment for paddling stage:
1. For teams of 2 racers: Two-seat kayak and pair of paddles.
2. For teams of 4 racers: 2 two-seat kayaks and 2 pairs of paddles. It’s allowed a kayak of any model. The kayak should be equipped with floatation bags corresponding to kayak’s model. The kayak should have all standard details of frame in good repair.
3. Map and route sheet (received at Team registration).
4. Kayak repair kit in case of damage a kayak cover.

Personal mandatory equipment for paddling stage:
1. Life vest
2. Skirt

Recommended equipment for paddling stage:
1. Map-board of А3 format
2. Non-sliping gloves
3. Clothing according to the weather and additional spare set of clothing packed in dry bag
4. Food reserve for this stage

Participants must wear life vests during the paddling stage.

The both Team’s numbers (given by organizers at the registration) must be placed on kayak so that it was easy to find it in transition area.

Recommended equipment for walking stage:
1. Clothing according to the forest conditions and weather
2. Footwear with metal crampons
3. Trekking poles
4. Food reserve for this stage
5. Insect repellent. There can be a lot of mosquitoes!
Mesh or mosquito net will allow you to sleep in the forest

Personal mandatory equipment for fixed ropes stages:
1. Harness
2. Helmet
3. 2 lanyards
4. Carabiners 3 pcs.
5. Descender. It’s recommended: reverso, atc and others. Figure-eight descender is admitted.
6. Rope clamp - 2 pcs. It could be a jumar, baisic, croll, pantin. Prusik knots are forbidden.
7. Tradle for jumar
8. Clothing protecting elbows and knees

Recommended personal equipment for fixed ropes stages:
1. Additional sling 80 cm.

Team mandatory equipment for fixed ropes stages:
1. Rope of 30 m long, not less than 9 mm thickness.
It’s recommended static rope. The dynamic is allowed too.

The detailed technical requirements for mandatory equipment see in special chapter: "technical requirements for mandatory equipment".

Recommended team equipment for fixed ropes stages:
1. Cord of 20 m, diameter 4-5 mm.

Personal mandatory equipment for swimming stage:
1. Life vest

Recommended personal equipment for swimming stage:
1. Dry bag

Personal mandatory equipment for roller skates stage:
1. Roller skates or rollerskis of any model.
2. Gloves.
3. Helmet.

Recommended personal equipment for roller skates stage:
Elbow and knees shields.

Team mandatory equipment for roller skates stage:
1. Bag for rollerskis and poles.

Forbidden equipment
1. GPS-navigators
2. Motorized vehicles

Electronic punching

Check points are equipped by electronic punching system SFR. The according SFR-chip will be handled to the competitors during race registration and has to be fixed on each competitor's wrist.

Registering at a check point is obligatory for every team member, otherwise passing of a check point will not be counted!

Time for passing a check point from first to last member of a team cannot be more than 1 minute. This does not apply to rope stages and other special sections.

Chip can fail by wrong pressing or shock.

There is a slight chance that an electronic check point or chip may be out of order or has been removed by outsiders. Please do not stop the race to call to the organizers, but continue and inform the organizers about it on arrival at the Race Center. This CP will be scored for your team.

Check points – CP

The check points are located at or on destinctive natural or artificial objects. Check points are marked on maps by circles, the centre of which shows the exact position of the check point.

Red circle – obligatory for passing, green circle – bonus CPs.

Check points themselves are marked by white-and-orange signs, the size of which may be different, depending on the objects on which they are located. The signs of check points are visible from the way points, shown in the legend, but not at an earlier stage. The station of electronic punching is installed right near the signs. Any other important information concerning a specific check point is given in the legend.

Legend

The legend describes, in words, the location of an object, at or on which a check point is located. For some of the check points there are pictures (photos) of an object, on which an arrow indicates the exact location of the check point or the direction of movement towards the check point. The legend is included in the route sheet.

Route sheet

The route sheet provides the following information: order of passing sections; order of passing check points; legends of all check points; operating hours of transition areas; specific rules for passing specific check points, or time limits for passing them.

Transition areas - TA

Transition areas are located in places, where teams will change race stages.

Teams can leave their equipment in transition area temporary. After leaving a transition area team should collect all the team equipment to carry on further. Participants have to leave their equipment with the team’s number.

At all transition areas drinking water and hot tea will be provided. In the Race centre, there will be drinking water, hot tea and hot food.

Transportation of individual or team gear to the transition areas is not provided. This means that everything you need during the race you will have to carry with you; no team will have the opportunity of external support. So all the teams are in the same conditions. If anything has to be delivered to the transition areas (kayaks, bikes) it will be done by the organizers.

The working hours of transition areas are limited.

Maps

We provide special maps, drawn and edited exclusively for the race, with common symbols, used in topographic maps and orienteering.

Maps are drawn on the base of topographical maps of the area with a scale of 1:50 000, satellite imagery and field work, done in the year 2017. The maps are laminated on both sides (mat laminate).

There will be several maps with different scales for the different sections of the course. Each competitor will get a full set of maps. We recommend to bring along thin permanent pen markers for marking your routes on the maps.

Scoring system

Teams receive 1 point for passing each check point. The result of a team depends on the amount of points received at check points during the course in the given time limit.

«Sponsoring CPs»

On some CP the fastest teams can find special plastic tokens (totally about 10-20 pcs per CP).
Each participant can take one (!) token of these on CP. During the awarding ceremony there will be special prizes from the race sponsors for the owners of those tokens.

Safety

Each competitor has to be aware of the fact that the race bears inherent dangers due to technical, natural and climatic circumstances.

The competitors must not admit fatigue and overwork and need to stay attentive, coordinated and have a good reaction throughout the whole course.

Competitors must not continue the course or refuse to pass a certain section of the course, if they are lacking physical or psychological abilities to continue.

Each team has to carry a cell phone in a waterproof package to connect to the organizers in emergency. The emergency phone number is indicated on each map.

Cell phone connection is available not everywhere during the course. On the top of hills or on wide open waters the connection normally is good. "Megafon" is working better than all other providers!

All competitors must wear life vests during the paddlng stage.

All competitors must wear helmets during mountain bike and rope stages.

There will be a doctor and medical station located in the Race Centre, where every competitor can get help at any time.

The organizer disclaims any material, civil and criminal liability in case of injury or material damage received during the course. The competitors must have medical and accident insurance.

A team which has left the course prior to the finish gate, or could not reached the finish gate in time, must contact the organizers as soon as possible to inform them about their wellbeing or problems and, thereafter, show up at the finish gate and return all electronic chips.

Payment of the entrance fee

All registered teams must pay an start fee for participation in the Race.
The entrance fee is 55 Euros for each participant regardless race class if the application was made up to April 10, 2018.
The entrance fee is 68 Euros for each participant regardless race class if the application was made from April 10, 2018 up to May 10, 2018.

Registration procedure step-by-step

1. The team informs about its arrival and confirms the final team line-up.
2. After that, the whole team has to undergo a pre-race gear check of all mandatory equipment.
3. Each competitor has to show his medical and accident insurances, covering extreme sports activities in Russia. Please contact your insurance company before arriving to Russia and find the type of insurance which is fitting your needs during the race (first aid/ evacuation/ transportation to the nearest hospital/ medical treatment). Insurances cannot be concluded on spot.
4. The team receives start bibs, start numbers for their bikes and kayaks, maps, route sheet and T-shirts from Red Fox.
5. Each competitor receives the electronic chip for marking at the check points.
6. Each competitor has to personally sign the disclaimer, in which the organizer disclaims all responsibility for the participants' health and life during the course.
7. The team passes the test section for rope work in the Race Centre.

Ecological ethics

The organizers may exclude teams from the course, if they their behavior does not confirm with ecological ethics and causes harm to nature. During the course, all garbage has to be taken along and returned to the garbage bins at the Race Centre or villages or towns nearby.

Sports ethics

The Race Regulations require that the teams have to respect each other and behave kindly and attentively. In difficult situations and emergency, the teams must help each other in all possible ways. According to the Race Regulationss, mutual aid between humans is valued more than results in the race.

Audience and support crew

According to the Race Regulations, only mental support of the teams is allowed. Outside assistance is allowed only regarding the preparation and passing of gear and food in the transition areas. In case of receiving physical help from outside, the team will be disqualified.

Placement of sponsors' names

During all race, the competitors have to wear their bibs with start numbers, which they have received during registration. The bibs have to be worn on top of all clothing and, during the paddling stage, on top of life vests. If the start bib is not worn properly, there will be a penalty of 1 point.

Penalties and disqualification

There may be on-course gear checks during all race. Lack of one item of mandatory gear involves to a penalty of 1 point.

The team may be disqualified due to following violations:
- receiving physical outside assistance;
- use of means of transport and gear, which are not allowed during the course;
- violation of the Race Regulations and safety instructions;
- violations of sports ethics;
- violations of ecological ethics.

All disputes regarding results of the race, penalties and any other matters are solved by the chief judge. Appeals have to be submitted in written form not later than 30 minutes before the beginning of the awards ceremony.

Determination of the winners

Winners are determined by the sum of the gathered points within control time. «Control time» is 24 hours for Short class and 48 hours for Long class. In case of equal amount of gathered points higher place is awarded to the team with a faster time at the finish line.

In the final ranking the teams missed one or more mandatory CPs will be placed below those who took correct all mandatory CPs irrespectively of the sum of the total gathered points.

Teams which have passed the check points in wrong order be ranked lower, than other teams, which have passed the check points in the right order.

Finish

The competition time of a team is determined at the finish check point. The time is noted when the last team member passes the finish line. After finishing, all competitors have to handle their electronic chips to the judges in the judges' van.

Excess of control time

Penalty of 1 point is given for every minute of delay.

Crossing the finish line more than 1 hour after control time leads to disqualification of that team.

All teams that don't cross the finish line in control time have to inform organizers immediately.

Awards

Medals and prizes will be given for 1st-3d places in the following 6 nominations:
Short:
- teams of 4 racers,
- teams of 2 racers ММ,
- teams of 2 racers МW /WW.

Long:
- teams of 4 racers,
- teams of 2 racers ММ,
- teams of 2 racers МW /WW.

There will be special prizes from the race sponsors for owners of tokens (described earlier).

Changes to the race program

The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the race regulations in case of urgent necessity or occurrence of an unpredictable situation.

You and your team are cordially invited to
the 2018 Red Fox Adventure Race!