DIRECTIONS TO START LINE:
Nordic:
Located at the Vail Nordic Center
Ski
Mountaineering: Located at the Gondola in Lionshead
Vail Uphill:
Location at the Gondola in Lionshead
RACE RULES:
Athletes must compete as an individual or on a team.
Athletes may NOT compete in both divisions.
The race is open to professional and amateur athletes
Athletes competing in UMC are only eligible for UMC prizes.
UMC athletes are not eligible for prizes within the individual
events.
All individual race rules will be in effect. Please consult
the individual race competition rules for complete rules regarding
each of the four events.
PRO & AMATEUR INDIVIDUALS COMPETITION RULES:
One athlete will compete in the Ultimate Mountain
Challenge three (3) races: Nordic, Ski Mountaineering & Vail
Uphill.
Athletes will be given three separate bibs / number plates specific
for each race. This number must be worn during all three
competitions. If a bib / number is lost, the competitor will
be disqualified.
Following each race, athletes' places will be collected and
assigned a point value. At the conclusion of the event, the
athlete with the highest point total will be awarded the
winner.
If an athlete DNFs (does not finish) any of the three competitions
they will be disqualified. Cutoff times will be announced before
the race.
AMATEUR COED TEAM RULES:
Teams must be coed (a minimum of 1 male and 1 female per
team)
Teams must have a minimum of two (2) members and must not exceed
three (3) members
Teams may enter only one team member per event.
Teams will determine which team member will compete in each event
prior to registering for the event. Team members competing in
each individual event must be identified on registration
forms.
Teams will be given three separate bibs / number plates specific
for each race. This number must be worn by the team member
participating in each individual race. If a bib / number is
lost, the team will be disqualified.
Following each race, athletes' places will be collected and
assigned a point value. At the conclusion of the event, the
Team with the highest point total will be awarded the winner.
If an athlete DNFs (does not finish) any of the three competitions
the Team will be disqualified. Cutoff times will be announced
before the race.
RACE CLASSES:
Pro Men Individuals
Nordic 10k - UMC Pro Men Division
Ski Mountaineering Elite Course - UMC Pro Men Division
Vail Uphill - UMC Pro Men Division
Pro Women Individuals
Nordic 10k - UMC Pro Women Division
Ski Mountaineering Elite Course - UMC Pro Women Division
Vail Uphill - UMC Pro Women Division
Amateur Men Individuals
Nordic 10k - UMC Amateur Men Division
Ski Mountaineering Advanced Course - UMC Amateur Men
Division
Vail Uphill - UMC Amateur Men Division
Amateur Women Individuals
Nordic 10k - UMC Amateur Women Division
Ski Mountaineering Advanced Course - UMC Amateur Women
Division
Vail Uphill - UMC Amateur Women Division
Amateur Coed Teams
Nordic 10k - UMC Amateur Men or Women Division depending on
athletes' gender
Ski Mountaineering Advanced Course - UMC Amateur Men or Women
Division depending on athletes' gender
Vail Uphill - UMC Amateur Men or Women Division depending on
athletes' gender
NORDIC RULES: EQUIPEMENT
This is a Nordic Freestyle event where both Nordic Skate
Skis and Classic Skis are permitted.
All athletes must where required bib(s) or will be subject to
disqualification.
NORDIC RULES: COMPETITION
All USSA rules will be applied. Please visit the following
link for more details:
http://www.ussa.org/magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/sports/crosscountry/rules.html
The start and finish will be located just north of Clubhouse -
Driving Range. We will have a double pole mass start with 11 lanes.
100 meter double pole zone. The course will be largely made up of
flat, fast terrain from kilometers 6-10 there will be 3 substantial
climbs with some technical descending.
There will be a jury made up of chief of course, race secretary,
and coach. All athletes must adhere to their guidelines or may be
subject to disqualification.
No tripping, shoving or horseplay will be tolerated and any
athlete participating in foul play will be pulled from the course
and disqualified. Please beware of other skiers on the hill.
SKI MOUNTAINEERING RULES: EQUIPMENT
No nordic, NNN or similar "nordic touring" gear will be
allowed, only AT or telemark gear. Split-boards are allowed in the
citizen's category.
All athletes must wear required bib(s) or will be subject to
disqualification.
Citizens category mandatory gear: helmet and
skins.
Advanced/Elite category mandatory gear: beacon, shovel,
probe, backpack, helmet, skins, windbreaker, hydration
system/bottles.
SKI MOUNTAINEERING RULES: COMPETITION
All categories will start in the Lionshead base area at
the gondola corral. All Categories finish at Gold Peak. Racers will
be sent out in one mass start but grouped in category on the start
line.
Normal Mountain Operations: Each racer must keep in mind
that Vail Mt. is open to guests as usual. Thus, racers will
encounter skier traffic moving the opposite direction of racers
while on-course.
Racer safety: For the safety of every racer, each athlete
is required to notify the closest marshal of any injury or racer in
need of assistance.
This is a self-sustained race with two aid stations. The Advanced
category's aid station will be positioned on Silk Road next to the
exit of Pete's Stash and the Elite's will be at the top of Belle's
Camp. Water and energy goo/bars will be available.
Course marking: Racers must use any set skin tracks and be
within 20 ft. of markings when ascending. Racers must be within
50ft of any markings while descending.
Finish: the final run for all categories is a GS course.
Racers must complete every gate; a 30-second time penalty will be
assigned for a missed gate, racers cannot take a time penalty and
advance in placing with any missed gates.
Other Important Ski Mountaineering Info:
There will be a gear check on the starting line at 7:15. Racer's
warm-up clothing may be left at the start area, all will be
transported to the finish.
Elite Course: If the combined weight of your
skis/bindings/skins/boots is above 18 lbs. it is unlikely you will
make the cut-off time to complete the course. Tech bindings
(Dynafit, Sportiva, Ski Trab or similar) are highly recommended
along with mixed or 100% mohair skins due to the distance and low
angle skin tracks. The estimated fastest time for the winner of the
race is 3:15. Descents are expert level and include ungroomed,
steep slopes with backcountry conditions.
Advanced Course: Suitable for fit racers with gear
weighing more than 18 lbs, or racers looking for a slightly shorter
day than the Elite course. Descents are expert level and include
ungroomed, steep slopes with backcountry conditions.
There will be a hard cut-off time of 1:00pm for both the Advanced
and Elite categories at the Aid Station on lower Silk Road there is
also a 10:30 cut-off time for the Elite Category just before the
Blue Sky acent. The race will officially be over at 4:00pm. Any
racers remaining on course after 4:00 will be DNF.
Elite and Advanced Categories are required to have avalanch
gear: beacon, probe, shovel, and helmet.
There will be an optional athlete meeting held at the Lionshead
Welcome Center. The Information center is located in the south west
corner of the Lionshead parking structure on the first floor. This
meeting will take place the night before the event - Friday,
February 8th, 2013 @ 5pm. The athlete meeting is highly recommended
for all Ski Mountaineering athletes especially those of whom have
never competed before.
VAIL UPHILL RULES: EQUIPMENT
OPEN CATEGORY: Please wear the proper type of
footwear based on race day conditions. Boots, Running Shoes,
Yak-Tracks & Snowshoes are all permitted.
HEAVY METAL: Any type of ski with a metal edge is
permitted; this includes both AT (All Terrain) and Telemark. Split
snowboards are also allowed in this category. Any type of skin is
also permitted.
VAIL UPHILL RULES: COMPETITION
Start, 7:00 AM SHARP at the base of the gondola in
Lionshead.
We ask that athletes please seed themselves accordingly at the
start…No tripping, shoving or horseplay will be tolerated and any
athlete participating in foul play will be pulled from the course
and disqualified. Beware of other skiers on the hill.
Course will be marked with blue or orange pin flags
Awards will take place on Sunday, at 8:45am, Eagle's Nest third
floor. Restaurant located at the top of the Gondola.
Additional Rules and Information
DIRECTIONS TO START LINE:
Nordic: Located at the Vail Nordic Center
Ski Mountaineering: Located at the Gondola in Lionshead
Vail Uphill: Location at the Gondola in Lionshead
ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to all
interested athletes regardless of state and/or country of
residency. Competitors who are under the age of 18 must
register with a parent or legal guardian. Competitors must be able
to attend all scheduled events. Athletes will be required to
provide all their own equipment. Further, athletes must abide
by all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations
during their participation in the Winter Mountain Games®.
PARTICIPATION: Athletes agree to be bound by these
Official Rules and all decisions of Organizers. Organizers reserve
the right to disqualify any persons found tampering with, or
otherwise abusing, any aspect of the competition as solely
determined by Organizers.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Organizers will appoint judges and the
decision of those judges will be final. There will be no
review of scoring / timing even with the presence of TV
cameras. Disputes with Organizers and/or appointed judges
will result in disqualification of that athlete.
RESERVATION OF RIGHTS: Organizers reserve the right to
disqualify any athlete for any reason, including, without
limitation, acting in an unsafe, unsportsmanlike or disruptive
manner and/or with intent to intimidate, threaten or harass, or
harm another person. All decisions with respect to the
disqualification of an athlete shall be made by Organizers and/or
appointed judges. Failure to comply with any term or
condition of these Official Rules may result in an athlete's
disqualification and the forfeiture of his/her interest in any
prize. Organizers reserve the right to amend these Official Rules
at any time in its sole discretion, and athletes shall have no
recourse for any such changes or for any failure (whether
inadvertent or otherwise) by Organizers to follow the stated
rules. In the event that the competition is canceled prior to
the completion of the final event, no prizes will be awarded.
Any refunds are at the organizer's discretion. Athletes
will not be otherwise compensated for any costs or expenses
associated with their participation in the competition.
ORGANIZERS: The Winter Mountain Games® will be organized
and produced by staff and contractors hired from and by the Vail
Valley Foundation. The decisions of Organizers regarding the
selection and elimination of athletes, the selection of finalists
and winners, and the production and administration of Winter
Mountain Games® related events, and all other aspects of the event,
shall be final and binding in all respects. Organizers will not be
responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors
in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the
event.