September 1, 2021

Rules of racing

Haensli Cup Rules of Racing, the definitive guide.

#HAENSLI CUP 2015 - Rules of Racing

The Chief of Race

The Chief of Race directs all preparation of the competition and supervises the activities in the technical area. He summons meetings for consideration of technical questions. The Chief of Race organises and supervises the work of the gate judges. He designates the gates each will supervise and places them in position. At the end of the first run and the end of the race he will collect the gate judges' control cards for delivery to the Referee. He distributes, in good time, to each gate judge the material that he needs (control card, pencil, start list, etc.) and be prepared to offer assistance either to help keep the spectators off the course or to help maintain the course, etc.

The Start Referee

The start referee must remain at the start throughout the race. He makes sure that the regulations for the start and the start organisation are properly observed. He determines late and false starts. He must be able to communicate immediately with the Race Committee at all times. He reports to the Chief of Race the names of the competitors who did not start, have made false or late starts or other infringements.

The Finish Referee

The finish referee must remain at the finish throughout the race. He makes sure that all the regulations for the organisation of the finish and the finish in-run and out-run are properly observed. He supervises the finish controller and the timing in the finish area. He must be able to communicate immediately with the Race Committee at all times.

Timing

With electronic timing, the time is taken when a competitor crosses the finish line and triggers the beam between the photo cells. In case of a fall at the finish where the competitor does not come to a full stop, the time can be taken without both of the competitor’s feet having crossed the finish line. For the registered time to become valid, the competitor must immediately completely cross the finish line with or without skis. With hand timing the time will be taken when any part of the competitor crosses the finish line. The finish controller determines the correctness of passage across the finish line.

The Start Recorder

The start recorder is responsible for recording the actual start order of all competitors.

The Finish Controller

The finish controller has the following duties: Supervision of the section between the last gate and the finish Supervision of the proper crossing of the finish line Recording of the order of finishing of all racers who complete the course

Start Procedure

No official or attendant who could possibly give an advantage to or disturb the starting competitor may be behind him. All outside help is forbidden. By order of the starter, the competitor must plant his poles in front of the start line, or where indicated. The starter must not touch the competitor at the start. Pushing off from the start posts or other aids is forbidden and the competitor may start only with the help of his ski poles.

Start Timing

The start timing shall measure the exact time the competitor crosses the start line with his leg below the knee.

Passage of the Gates

If a competitor misses a gate, he may no longer continue through further Gates, unless he/she climbs back and both feet pass above the line between the two flags.

Crossing of the Finish Line and Recording of the Times

The finish line must be crossed: • with three pieces of ski equipment or • with both feet in case of a fall in the immediate finish area. In this case the time is taken when any part of the competitor’s body or equipment stops the timekeeping system.

Re-runs

Prerequisites

A competitor who is obstructed while racing must stop immediately after the incident took place and apply to any member of the Jury for a re-run. This claim can also be made by the team captain of the obstructed competitor. The competitor should make his way to the finish along the side of the course.

Grounds for Interference

Blocking of the course by an official, a spectator, or other obstruction. Blocking of the course by a fallen competitor who did not clear the course soon enough. Objects in the course such as a lost ski pole or the ski of a previous competitor. Absence of a gate knocked down by a previous competitor that has not been promptly replaced. Other similar incidents beyond the will and control of the competitor, which cause significant loss of speed or a lengthening of the racing line and consequently affect the competitors time. Malfunction of the timekeeping system.

Disqualifications A competitor will be disqualified if he: does not pass through a gate correctly or does not start within the time limits defined.

Protests

Types of Protests

Against admittance of competitors or their competition equipment,
Against the course or its condition,
Against another competitor or against an official during the race,
Against disqualifications,
Against timekeeping,
Against decisions of the Race Committee

Gate judges' Instructions

Every gate judge receives a check card with the following information: Name of the gate judge Number(s) of the gate(s) Designation of the run (1st or 2nd) If a competitor does not pass a gate (or a gate marker) correctly, the gate judge must immediately mark the following on the check card in the columns provided: The (bib) start number of the competitor. If the gate judge is responsible for more than one gate, then the gate number where the fault was made. The letter F (Fault). A drawing of the fault committed (sketch map - essential). The gate judge must also watch that the competitor accepts no outside help (e.g. in the case of a fall). A fault of this nature must likewise be entered on the check card. The gate judge may advise the competitor “Back” (to indicate they must go back through a gate or back further through a gate), or “Go” (to indicate the competitor is good to continue), but must not offer any other assistance or advice or the competitor is disqualified.

Correct Passage

A gate has been passed correctly when both the competitor’s ski tips and both feet have passed across the gate line. The gate line for a GS course is the line between the 2 sets of poles of the same colour, and this line may be crossed in any direction to constitute correct passage. If a competitor loses a ski, without committing a fault, e.g. not by straddling a slalom pole, then the tip of the remaining ski and both feet must have passed the gate line. This rule is also valid when a competitor has to climb back up to a gate.

In the event that a competitor removes a pole from it’s vertical position before both the competitor’s ski tips and both feet have passed the gate line, the ski tips and feet must still pass the original gate line (marking in the snow).

If a competitor is obstructed during his run, he must immediately leave the race course and report this to the nearest gate judge. The gate judge must enter the circumstances of the incident on his check card and have this available for the Race Committee at the end of the 1st or 2nd run. The gate judge must request the competitor in question to report immediately to the Finish referree or another Race Committee member.

Duties of the Gate Judge at the Conclusion of the Race Each gate judge who has recorded a disqualifying fault or who has been witness to an incident leading to a re-run must be available to the Race Committee until after the settlement of any protests.

Supplemental Duties of the Gate Judge After the necessary entries have been made on his check card, the gate judge must shift immediately to his other duties. He should attend to the following :

Replace gate poles vertically Replace knocked out poles in their exact positions Keep the course clear.