RULES AMUNDSEN RACE 2012

Additional rules for Amundsen DUO at the bottom of this document.

The race is judged according to the IFSS rules.

In order to start in the Amundsen Race one needs to have a valid race license and the dogs should be vaccinated and ID marked (chipped). Mushers with a Swedish racing license also need to have the 'Green Card'.
The sled should be equipped with sufficient brakes, scooter mat, brush bow, TWO snow hooks as well as sled bag. The scooter mat should be of sufficient size to control the team. The scooter mat should be attached to the sled by a stable "tip-up-system". 

Amundsen Race recommends that brakes and snow hooks are newly ground since the race starts on the ice of Lake Storsjön.

A quick release hook should be used as extra security at the start of the race. A stake-out chain is to be used in the starting-area of the race.

§ 1 Team size/class
Amundsen Race has one class: 8-12 dog team. The team should not have more than 12 dogs and not less than 8 at start.
At the finish line the team has to have a minimum of 6 dogs.

§ 2 Dog drop

Dogs can be dropped only at checkpoints. The musher is responsible for that the dog is being taken care of correctly.

§ 3Micro chipping
All dogs participating in the competition have to be micro-chipped.

§ 4 Snow-ploughed roads
It is prohibited to follow snow-ploughed roads other than the stretches of road decided on by the organiser (marked trail).Information in regard to this is given at the mushers' meeting.

§ 5 Start

The race starts with a mass start, unless otherwise decided by the organizer.

§ 6 Outside assistance
The musher is not allowed to get help of any kind during the race.

§ 7 Assistance at checkpoints

At checkpoints, the musher is allowed to receive help to steer, brake and keep the team when coming or leaving the marked areas.

§ 8 Mandatory lay over

Amundsen race has two mandatory lay overs. The first first lay of 8 hours is at checkpoint Ljungdalen. The second lay over of 8 hours is at checkpoint Ottsjö 2.

The musher shall personally check out of all checkpoints.

§ 9 Checkpoints

The checkpoints are to be considered as control posts in the race.
The musher has to carry the bib number when arriving at and leaving the checkpoint. Both musher and handler have to carry their bib number while they are in the stake out area.

The handler must rake the straw after its musher after the team has left the checkpoint. Equipment and trash bags are provided by the organizer.

Closing of checkpoints:
Checkpoint Arådalen closes 8 hours after the first team has left the checkpoint.
Checkpoint Ljungdalen closes 20 hours after the first team has left the checkpoint.
Checkpoint Ottsjö 2 closes 26 hours after the first team has left the checkpoint.

The race organization remains the right to change/adapt these times.

§ 10 Depot
There are depots at every checkpoint. Depot bags should be marked with the musher's name and bib number and put in the marked area.

Replacement sleds may not be taken out from the depot and in to the staging area other than when for the purpose of changing the sled in front of the team. Empty sled may be replaced with empty sled once (1 time).

It is not allowed to provide the musher with warm water or mixed dog food.

The musher must bring everything taken out from the depot to the staging area. The same goes for equipment and potential waste going from the staging area back to the depot.

Depot bags are not being transported by the organizer. It is up to each musher to get the depot bag transported to the depot place at each checkpoint.

§ 11 Mandatory gear

Mentioned here is the mandatory equipment which should be carried in the sled during the whole race. It is required that all equipment is functional in order to be approved. The equipment will be checked before start, at checkpoints and at the finish.

•  Two (2) snow hooks. Amundsen Race recommends that

   snow hooks are newly ground.

•  Maps (1:1.0000) Lantmäteriet's maps Z6, Z7, Z8 and/or

   Bergs kommun's and Åre kommun's snowmobile trail

   maps. (It is possible to buy the snowmobile trail maps at

   the secretariat upon checking in).

•  Veterinarian handbook (will be distributed upon checking

   in).

•  Water cooker and pot, capable of heating a minimum of ½

   litre per dog. To be carried in the sled for the entire race.

•  Magnetic compass

•  Snow shovel

•  Axe or long knife (min. 20 cm. blade)

•  Extreme winter sleeping bag. Should be weighing min. 2,5

   kg or be functional for temperatures of -35° C and below.

•  Extreme survival bag, min. weight 1,2 kg. Alternatively:

   tent + regular windproof survival bag + cooker with fuel

   for 24 hours. (The tent should be shaped in such a way

   that one can safely have the cooker inside the tent.

   Cookers from the Norwegian military are not approved).

•  Extra set of clothing (under and outer clothes, socks and

   footwear).

•  First aid equipment for both driver and dogs.

•  Head lamp and batteries.

•  Light stick/signal flare/emergency light, to be carried in

   pocket on person, not in the sled!

•  Matches.

•  8 booties/dog from each checkpoint, including those in use.

•  Reserve dog food, 500 grams kibble or 1 kg. meat per dog

   in the team at start. This food is to be packed, sealed and

  carried to the finish unopened, regardless the number of

  dogs dropped in the race.

• The musher has to have food for min. 24 hours to

  him/herself in the sled at the finish.

Mandatory gear that is lost or damaged can be taken/replaced from the depot bag. Any replacement of mandatory gear must first be approved by a judge/race marshal/checkpoint official. Sleds can only be replaced once during the race. (Used dog booties, headlamp/batteries, rubbish sack and fuel for the water cooker/primus are exempt from this rule and can if so desired be replaced from depot).

§ 12 Caring and feeding of dogs

All feeding and care of dogs shall happen outdoors and only be carried out by the musher. Only cold water may be fetched for preparing dog food.

§ 13 Dead dog

If a dog dies during the race on the trail between checkpoints, it is to be taken to the next checkpoint or back to the previous checkpoint. The dog is to be transported in the sled and to be covered upon arriving to the checkpoint. The musher shall without delay after checking in notify the race organiser as represented by the race marshal, race director and/or race veterinarian. The musher can only continue the race after obtaining permission to do so by the race marshal, race director and/or race veterinarian. The musher can be disqualified from further participation should it be evident from investigations that the musher is guilty of abuse of the dog or if having in any other way caused the death of the dog. The musher can also be disqualified if he/she at an earlier checkpoint has been told in writing to drop the dog, unless its death was caused by entirely different reasons. If an autopsy of the dog is required, the musher will not be charged.

§ 14 Tow lines

There shall be cable in the central tow line.

§ 15 No Man's Land

No Man's Land starts at least 1 km before the finishing line and shall be clearly marked. The trail in this stretch shall be broad enough for dog teams to pass each other.

§ 16 Breaking the rules
Breaking the rules regarding outside assistance can lead to disqualification of the musher.

§ 17 Reindeer

The trail goes partly through reindeer grazing areas. The dogs must therefore be kept under strict control. The musher is liable for damages caused by his/her team to reindeers. On stretches where reindeers are present, the drivers needs to be attached to his team/sled with a rope or similar. Participants that are observed with lose dog(s) will be disqualified immediately.

§ 18Littering of the trail, parking area and checkpoints

Littering along the trail may lead to disqualification.

Other rules

The race organizer can instruct the mushers to wear promotional   materials on clothes or sleds.

A participant choosing to scratch from the race shall as soon as possible notify the race management and is him/herself responsible for transportation of him/herself, their dogs, equipment and depots from the checkpoints.

Rescue searches will normally be initiated 24 hours after the last point of contact. Unnecessary stops between the check points should therefore be avoided.

A dog that lies in the sled when the musher arrives at a checkpoint is not out of the race unless the musher so desires.

The musher may sit on the sled.

Protests shall be submitted to the race marshal/jury in writing no later than one  (1) hour after reaching the finishing line. The protest submission fee is 50 SEK.

Veterinary information and anti-doping rules

Participants are obliged to understand and adhere to the vet information the organiser has distributed.
As musher YOU have by entering Amundsen Race, committed yourself to follow the present anti-doping regulations concerning both driver (RF´s doping regulations www.rf.se) as well as dogs (National doping regulations for dogs, www.skk.se, concerning waiting period, dispensation possibilities for forbidden substances and methods).

For all competitors the mass start is on the frozen lake in Östersund and follows the same path as the Amundsen Race.

If a musher does not complete Phase I of the race, the next musher to start in Phase II (Ljungdalen-Åre) will have start time no sooner than 2 hours after leading the DUO team from Phase 1. The Duo Team is out of the competition for podium placement and prizes but is able to fulfill their part of the competition.

First-time (Novice) DUO Mushers that complete their stage with receive the "Novice Plaque".

Good luck!