The Tour Backcountry Ski Race- FAQ
A backcountry teams race, 19th 20th September 2009, Craigieburn Range NZ
(Updated 28th July 2009)
www.thetournz.com www.thetournz.blogspot.com e-mail- info@thetournz.com
What is a Ski Mountaineering race?
A Ski Mountaineering race is a timed event that follows an established trail through challenging winter alpine terrain while passing through a series of checkpoints. Racers climb and descend under their own power using backcountry skiing equipment and techniques.
Go to http://youtube.com/skimountaineering for short videos of ski mountaineering races.
What kind of equipment is required?
This may vary with the races, but the mandatory basics will be:
-Skis or Spilt Board with "touring" bindings and skins.
- Avalanche beacon. Must be working and transmitting on the 457 kHz frequency
- Shovel. Backcountry shovels with handles (snow claw is OK, but plastic is not recommended).
- Avalanche probe - min 240cm
- Lightweight wind/water proof jacket
- Helmet (ski, climbing and bike helmets are all OK)
- Back pack that is able to securely carry skis/snowboard
Additional equipment that may be required depending on conditions
-Crampons
-Climbing harness with 2 "cow's tails" and carabineers
-Lightweight wind/water proof pants
-Survival Blanket
For hiring avalanche transceivers, snow shovels, crampons and other gear go to http://www.alpineclub.org.nz/default.aspx?p=342
Please visit <http://thetournz.com/equipment.html> for updated gear list
NOTE- All required gear will be check on Friday the 18th September, at Cheesemans Forrest Lodge, between 4pm and 5.30pm. Compulsory pre race meeting will be at 6pm.
Transceivers will be check prior to the start of each day’s race and random gear checks at the end of each days race. 30sec penalties to disqualification for any gear not carried.
How much dose The Tour cost to enter? Where and how do I enter?
The Tour entry is $200 per team- $50 per racer, per day.
To enter you can download an entry form, e-mail it in and pay with online banking or send it in with a check.
Spaces limited to 25 teams, so enter quick.
NOTE- Early entry- $200 per team. Early entry closes 6th September, Late entry $260 per team. Entries close 13th September. NO REFUNDS FOR WITH DRAWAL OR RACE CANCELATION.
Prizes
Top 3 female and male teams will receive prizes. Prize giving is after lunch (supplied) on Sunday afternoon and there are spot prizes- so stick around after the race. There must be at least 5 teams in each category (5 male teams and 5 female teams) for 1st, 2nd, 3rd to recive prizes, other wise only first gets a prize. No mixed (male and female) catogory.
What is the course like?
Check out www.thetournz.com for a description of the possible race course for each day. Conditions are always changing in the mountains, so the course depends on weather, snow and avalanche conditions on the race day.
How will I know where to go?
There will be a topographic or schematic map of the planned course well in advance of the race on The Tour web site and blog, as well as at the pre race meeting the night before (Friday 18th September) and both mornings of each day of the race discussing in detail the course.
The course will be marked with colour coded flagging, green for the ascents and red for the descents and the checkpoints will be manned with people who can give you directions to the next checkpoint if needed. In the event of new snow, a trail will be broken.
How long will each days races take?
The fastest times will be around 2 hours. There will be a cut off time of 2.5 - 3 hours depending on teh course and weather.
What kind of physical shape do I have to be in?
In general, the effort is similar to a half marathon trail running race in the mountains, both in terms of time and energy.
Where/when will the pre-race meetings be?
Cheeseman’s Forrest Lodge on Friday 18th September, after the required gear check- at 6pm. There will also be a pre-race meetings 60-90mins before the start of each days race.
What happens at the pre-race meeting?
The course details will be discussed, as well as any last minute changes to the schedule. Racers will be issued their race numbers as well as advised of the forecasted weather and avalanche danger. Waivers are usually signed at this time.
Will we be travelling in avalanche terrain and should I be concerned about avalanche danger?
Avalanches and avalanche terrain is an inherent part of Ski Mountaineering races. We, along with the local snow safety officer will assess the terrain and current snow stability before starting the race. If we feel the avalanche danger warrants a change of venue, that will most likely be announced at the pre-race meeting. Even if the event is held entirely inbounds at a ski resort, there is always a chance of avalanches and thus avalanche safety equipment is required (beacons, probes & shovels).
What happens if it snows heavily the night before the race or the day of the race there is bad weather?
There will either be a back-up course or an altered version of the course on the race day. In the case of severe weather the race may be postponed until the following day.
We will do our best to have a race of some sort on the scheduled day.
How do the starts work?
Roughly one hour before the race starts, racers will be checked for the required safety equipment and will not be allowed to start without it. Ten minutes before the start, racers will line up behind a starting line according to their category. Racers will start with their equipment on. There will be a five minute warning, then a one minute warning, then a thirty second warning, after which the starting gun/horn will sound. The will be NO last second, "ready, set go" count down.
Can I have outside assistance during the race?
No. You must finish entirely under your own power and not receive assistance from other people or mechanical means.
Can I discard gear along the way and retrieve it later?
No. You must finish will all the equipment you start with. Organisers will do random gear checks post race and time penalties may be given for missing gear.
Do I have to follow the marked trail?
The course should be laid out such that it would be slower and inefficient to deviate from the main track. Slight variations to pass other racers or climb at a different angle are acceptable, but you must pass through all checkpoints.
What happens if I can't finish the race?
This is very important!-If for any reason you can not complete the course, you can withdraw from the race at any checkpoint or at the finish line by clearly telling a race marshal your name, bib number and that you are withdrawing. This is important as otherwise a search party may be sent out for you.
What do I do at checkpoints?
The checkpoints will be manned by volunteers who will be checking off your number as you pass through. To make sure you are not missed, you must wear your bib on your front right thigh and its recommended to call out your number as you pass through the check points.
Is any equipment prohibited?
You must ascend using skins or by hiking if specified (boot pack sections, with skis/board attached to back pack). Telemark, Alpine Touring and split snowboards are permitted. Snow shoes are not.
How do you pass someone on uphill skin tracks?
Ideally, there will be two trails broken which will allow racers to easily pass. If this is not the case, the overtaking racer has the right of way but must signal their intention to pass by clearly stating "Track" (or trace or hop) to the racer they are overtaking. It is the responsibility of the racer who is being passed to let the other racer by.
Do races have age or equipment divisions?
Open male and female teams, no mixed divisions, any male/female teams will count as male teams.
Is it possible to get disqualified?
Yes - you can be disqualified for missing a checkpoint or colliding with the public within a ski area's boundaries. It is also possible to be assessed a time penalty for poor sportsmanship and/or unintentional rule violations, such as littering. This will be determined by the race officials who will have the final say.
What are the race rules?
Skis must be securely carried on a backpack for any of the boot packing sections and all the required safety gear must be carried at all times. Pass through all control points, yield to overtaking skiers (on the up and down hills) and be a good sport.
How are the winners determined?
Places are determined exclusively by order of timed finish. The time from day 1 and day 2 will be added together, with the lowest time winning.
There are no subjective judged aspects, such as descent style.
What are the secrets for being fast?
Ski Mountaineering races are a blend of many skills, including endurance, uphill technique, downhill technique and efficient change-over's (transitions). The uphill portions usually make up the bulk of the race and are the most important. Maintaining an even pace throughout the race is a good strategy. On the descents, avoiding falls while shedding vertical as fast as possible is vital. While the transitions only take a few moments, there can be quite a few of them and developing a system for switching from skiing to skinning or visa versa and managing your gear is critical. Equipment should be as light as possible yet also able to handle backcountry abuse.
Experienced racers develop a variety of strategies to suit different courses and conditions. One of the best of these is to remember that races have many turns of events and that they are never truly over until you have crossed the finish line, so it is important to never give up!
Originally complied by Andrew McLean (<http://www.pawprince.com>) for the United States Ski Mountaineering Association (<http://www.ussma.org>), modified by GTG for SkiMoNZ/The Tour.