1.  MUSHERS

a.  The musher's club affiliation as mentioned in his Musher Passport is valid.

b.  The musher starting the time-trail should be same musher finishing it and with the same dog team.

c.  If a musher is disqualified during a time-trail, he will not be authorized to compete for the rest of time-trail event as scheduled.

d.  SAFDSS is authorized to invite mushers from various regions that are not members of SAFDSS by giving them a wild card entry.

e.  Minimum age for the participation in official time-trail event:

Class	Minimum Dogs on Team	Minimum Age
O	9 dog Team - minimum for the first heat, 6 dogs minimum the other heats.	18 years
A	8 dog Team - maximum and 7 dogs minimum for the first heat, 5 dogs minimum the other heats.	18 years
B1	6 dog Team - maximum and 5 dogs minimum for the first heat, 4 dogs minimum the other heats. Composed by Siberian Husky Team.	16 years
B2	6 dog Team - maximum and 5 dogs minimum for the first heat, 4 dogs minimum the other heats. Composed by Alaskan Malamutes Team or  Greenland dog Team or Samoyeds Team	16 years
C1	4 dog team - maximum and 3 dogs minimum for the other heats. Composed by Siberian Husky Team.	14 years
C2	4 dog Team - maximum and 3 dogs minimum for the other heats. Composed by Alaskan Malamutes Team or  Greenland dog Team or Samoyeds Team.	14 years
D1	2 dogs during the complete race. Composed by Siberian Husky Team.	12 years
D2	2 dogs during the complete race. Composed by Alaskan Malamutes Team or  Greenland dog Team or Samoyeds Team.	12 years
Bike 1 dog		11 years
Bike 2 dogs		14 years
Scooter 1 dog		11 years
Scooter 2 dogs		14 years
Canicross 1 dog		9 years
Caniwalk 1 dog		7 years

f.   Any musher from an affiliated club, with a valid and confirmed musher passport may participate, and he/she must have thorough knowledge of this set of rules.

g.  Any musher will enter an time-trail event through his own club, but SAFDSS can also allocate Wild-Cards entries but in a limited measure.

h.  Any participating musher has to follow the SAFDSS Time-trail event-Rules and any direction given by the Time-trail event Marshal or his staff.

i.   a Musher has to pay his entry fee in due time as stipulated by the respective time-trail event organising club.

j.   The member club or SAFDSS itself can reject an entering musher by stating the reason why.

k.   If an time-trail event can only be done in one day out of the number of days scheduled, the entry fee will not be refunded.

l.   Change of entry for a specific Class may be changed for an extra fee, stated in the invitation and only up to the Thursday before the time-trail event, or under exceptional circumstances when authorised by Time-trail event Vet for health reasons but only until Friday 8.00am.

m.  A team entered must be handled by the same musher whom has entered the time-trail event.

n.  If a musher gets sick or injured, the team may be handled by another musher, with the acceptance of the Time-trail event Giving Committee.

o.  All mushers must wear helmets, except when participating in Canicross.

p.  A number shirt/vest/bibs will be provided to each competitor by the event organising club. The musher must show visibly his number during the duration of the event for identification purposes.

2.  DOGS

a.  Dogs participating in time-trail events have to be 18 months of age on the first day of the competition. No dispensations will be given.

b.  Only dogs of the four Nordic Breeds (Alaskan malamute, Greenland Dog, Samoyed, and Siberian Husky) can enter the Time-trail event. They have to be purebred, with Pedigree or Working Certification and hold a valid SAFDSS Passport. Original Pedigree has to be shown on demand.

c.  No dog can be disqualified for non-conformity with the breed standard later than 2 hours after the finish of the time-trail.

d.  The dogs participating in events and in particularly the National Championships have to comply to the standard of their breed and also with regard to the size, with a height tolerance of + 1cm with regard to the maximum size allowed by the standard. It is advice to check the size of working dogs and to stay in conformity with the breed standard, height at the withers;

     i. Alaskan Malamutes : Males 63,5 cm and Females 58,5 cm.

     ii. Greenland Dogs : Males 60 cm up and Females 55 cm up. 

     iii. Samoyeds : Males 57 - 60 cm and Females 53 - 56 cm. 

     iv. Siberian Huskies : Males 53,5 - 60 cm and Females 50,5 - 56 cm.

e.  All dogs have to be vaccinated to the demands of the Region, as well as the demands of SAFDSS and/or local time-trail event organiser, and any Certificate necessary must be available at the time-trail event site for verification.

f.   It’s recommended that the musher and owner of the dogs have taken out insured for any damages or claims as neither the Time-trail event Giving organisation nor SAFDSS can take responsibility or accountability for your actions or that of your dogs.

g.  The Time-trail Event Giving Committee can, with reason mentioned, reject a team or a specific dog from entering the time-trail event.

h.  If the time-trail Event Giving Committee is convinced, that a team or a single dog is not fit for ending an time-trail event, then this team or dog must be disqualified.

i.   A team or a dog not participating or ending the first heat cannot participate in any other heat in that time-trail event.

j.   If a dog is being injured, or shows signs of not being able to making the full distance, the musher is allowed to leave the dog at a drop point. It is the responsibility of the musher to secure the dog at the drop point. Such a dog will be brought back to the finish line by Race Marshal or Vet helpers.  If not possible the musher to withdraw from the time-trail event.

3.  IDENTIFICATION

a. All dogs participating must be identifiable with electronic microchips before participating in any event.

4.   HEALTH CONDITIONS

a. All dogs and/or equipment coming from an infected Kennel by virus like RABIES, DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, PARVOVIRUS or any infectious disease will be prohibited.

b. If the Race Marshall or Vet detects that one of the dogs present on the trail or start area is infected by an infectious disease, the whole team will be disqualified and invited to leave immediately the race area.

c. Any dogs present on the race will be immunized against RABIES, DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, PARVOVIRUS, LEPTOSPIROSE and KENNEL COUGH.

d. IF A DOG IS IN TROUBLE CAN BE LEFT AT CHECKPOINT. THE CHECKPOINTS SHOULD BE ORGANIZED WITH RADIO SO THAT THEY ARE REACHABLE IN 10 MINUTES BY THE VET- WITHOUT PENALITY FOR THE MUSHER. FOR A DOG WHICH HAS BEEN LEFT AT A CHECKPOINT THE RACE IS FINISHED AND THE VET HAS TO CHECK THE DOG. THE VET MUST HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO GO TO THE CHECKPOINT BY SKIDOO. IF THE SKIDOO DISTURBS A TEAM IT WILL NOT BE THE FAULT OF THE MUSHER. ALSO FOR PULKA TEAMS THE DOGS CAN BE LEFT AT A CHECK POINT.

e. It is forbidden to transport an injured dog at any other way than in sled bag. If there is no place in the sled bag the musher has to stop and wait for help at that point. If this rule is denied, the team will be disqualified.

f.  The race vet is allowed to take a dog out of the race if he/she thinks that the dog is too tired/ injured after a run. The musher must respect this decision in all times.

g. If a dog dies, the musher has 1 hour to retract himself from the race. After this time SAFDSS will disqualify the musher without giving any reason. On every dog a necropsy should be preformed. If the section clears the musher of the blame the disqualification can be only for the race. If the musher has part in the death of the dog, he will be disqualified at least for the next National Championships on all classes. But such punishment can be extended. The results of the necropsy and the punishment of the musher will be made public, so that everybody can see what happened and the consequences are.

5.  EQUIPMENT

a.  A Cart must be solid and stable enough to carry a musher and an injured dog, if necessary.

b.  For the safety of the dog(s), it is mandatory that a basket/bag is available and installed on the Cart; otherwise the musher will have to withdraw from the event with an injured dog should drop off zones not be available.

c.  The following weights are to be understood as minimum weights for 3-wheel or 4-wheel rigs/carts. A weight sticker have to be visible on the cart indicating the weight. The cart can at anytime be weighed during an inspection routine. Weight to be added to make the minimum requirements as set below;

Class O : 9 dogs plus - 50 kg
Class A : 7 to 8 dogs - 50 kg
Class B : 5 to 6 dogs - 40 kg
Class C : 3 to 4 dogs - 30 kg
Class D : 2 dogs - 25 kg

d.  The Rig/Cart must have steering facilities, three or four wheels, and at least the wheels in the rear must have effective brakes. A parking brake to be locked must also be there, and it is necessary that at least two wheels can be lockable.

e.  The Cart must be equipped with a bell or any other device to give a noisy warning when necessary for when passing spectators in creating awareness of oncoming dog teams or at junctions with no visibility of crossing or oncoming teams.

f.  A security line for anchoring the cart must be fixed to the cart  - cable, chain or line strong enough for the team in question.

g.  A double fixation of the towlines to the cart is mandatory. (2 different fix points on the cart).

h.   The musher must bring one or two extra lines (cable or chain) with two snap hooks to the use if leaving a dog at a drop point.

i.   Any Cart/Rig/Scooter/Bike has to pass a control and be accepted by the Event Committee before entering the time-trail event.

j.  The Bike must be of Mountain Bike type with matching Tyres.

k.   The Bike must have brakes on both wheels.

l.  It is mandatory that mushers wear a helmet as well as gloves for personal protection except for the Canicross class.

m.  All mushers are responsible for the standard and quality of their own equipment.

6.   INSPECTIONS

a.  Musher, teams and equipment have to be available for checking in the start area at least 4 minutes before the start time.

b.  A harnessed team will not be obliged to stay for checking more than 2 minutes before the start time.

c.  Checking has to be made in a place where the controllers will not disturb starting or arriving teams.

d.  Each team is subject to approval by the Event Marshall after each heat.

e.  All the equipment is subject to approval by the Event Marshall.

f.  All the Mushers have to take care about checking their own personal equipment.

7.  HARNESSING

a.  Professional manufactured and design labelled X-back and Distance Harnesses permitted. No self-made harnesses will be allowed.

b. All the dogs will be in single line hitch or in paired gang hitch.

c. All the dogs have to be connected to the central line with an individual neck-line in front and an individual back-line.

The lead-dog will be connected to the team with an individual back-line. When there are two  leaders, they will be connected with a neck-line.

8.    FORBIDDEN EQUIPMENT

a.    Muzzles and choke-collars are forbidden.

b.    Whips are forbidden.

9.    CLASSES:

The following Classes will apply:

a.    Open (O) - Nine dogs and more, with possibility for organisers to limit the number of dogs.

b.    (A) for teams using seven to eight dogs. Any A team - an eight dog team - has to start with at least seven dogs in the first heat and finish the competition with at least five dogs.

c.    Any B team - a six dog team - has to start with at least five dogs in the first heat and finish the competition with at least four dogs.

                       i.        B1 for teams using Siberian Huskies.

                      ii.        B2 for teams of Samoyeds or Greenlanders or Alaskan Malamutes.

d.    Any C team - four dog team - has to start with at least three dogs and finish the competition with at least two Dogs.

                       i.        C1 for teams using Siberian Huskies

                      ii.        C2 for teams of Samoyeds, Greenlanders or Alaskan Malamutes.

e.    Any D team – two dog team - both dogs have to finish the race.

                       i.        D1 for teams using Siberian Huskies

                      ii.        D2 for teams of Samoyeds, Greenlanders or Alaskan Malamutes.

f.     Bike with one dog - the age of the musher minimum 11 years. The line to the dog has not to exceed a length of 2, 5 meter.

g.    Bike with two dogs - the age of the musher minimum 14 years. A neckline is mandatory. The line to the dog has not to exceed a length of 2, 5 meter.

h.    Scooter with one dog - the age of the musher minimum 11 years. The line to the dog has not to exceed a length of 2,5 meter.

i.    Scooter with two dogs - the age of the musher minimum 14 years. A neckline is mandatory. The line to the dog has not to exceed a length of 2,5 meter.

j.   Cani cross - a Class for one, and a class for two dogs and musher by foot. Men and women are starting in the same class among each other with an interval of one minute. Only when we have minimum 5 starters per gender there will be a separate price giving ceremony for them - otherwise it will be in common.

k.    For Bike and Scooter Classes it is forbidden to come in front of the dog or to pull the dog in any way. If this should happen the musher will be disqualified.

The start order for the categories will be as follows:

O Category
A Category
B1 Category
B2 Category
C1 Category
C2 Category
D1 Category
D2 Category

Bikejorring
Scootering

Canicross

11.   TRAIL DISTANCE

For International competition it is advised to comply to the following trail distances:

Canicross  : 15-18km

Bikejoring : 15-18km

C Class     : 10-12km

D Class     : 10-12km
B Class     : 15-18km
A Class     : 18-20km
O Class     : 20-25km

 

Consideration should also be given to fitness levels of dog & musher, temperatures, humidity etc. when deciding on the distance for a time-trail event, it could therefore be less that the recommended distances above.

12.   DRUG MONITORING & CONTROL

a.    All drugs mentioned on the WADA list are prohibited for both dog and musher.

b.    Every dog is liable to be checked randomly. One or more dogs from the same team may be checked as per the Drug Control Form to be provided.

c.    When a dog is selected to be tested the Musher has to present a written list of all the drugs the dog has been treated within the last 72 hours before the Race Start.

d.    If a Musher doesn't agree with the control, the team will be disqualified.

e.    If a team dog shows a positive result with a prohibited drug during the control the whole team will be disqualified.

13.    TARTING/ARRIVAL RULES

a.       STARTING ORDER

                  i.    The starting line for the time trail will be established the day before the event.

                 ii.    The first start race will be done in ascending numbers. Number 1 starting first, number 2 second etc.

                iii.    The second day starting order is determined by the time of the first heat, the fastest team starting first, second fastest team starting second etc.

               iv.    The third day starting order will be the sum of the 2 first heat times, the fastest team starting first, second fastest team starting second etc.

b.    DEAD HEAT

                  i.    If the times of several teams are the same, the starting order will be the opposite order as the previous time-trail.

c.    STARTING AREA--STARTING LINE--STARTING TIME

                  i.    The Musher will be the reference point for the starting line.

                 ii.    Each team will start at his communicated time and will be responsible for his own arrival at the start.

                iii.    Each team which will not be at the fixed time at the starting line, will be declared "late-comer":

a)    A team coming late for its start will be authorized to come on the starting area if it comes on half the time separating itself and the following team. After this time have lapsed, the team will be forbidden and will have the possibility to start after the last competitor of its category and after a waiting time defined by the Event Marshall.

b)    A team starting the race too late will respect and will not disturb the other competitors.

c)    If there is more than one team declared too late, those teams will start in the rank of their previous start.

               iv.    A team having not started within minimum 30 m from the starting point before the next team is starting may be disqualified.  

d.    STARTING LINE HELPERS 

                  i.    Number and type of helper(s) will be defined and announced by the Race Marshall before the first heat start.

                 ii.    If the team leaves the starting line of an official start, the racing rules will be applied.  

e.    FINISH  

                 i.   The team will finish the heat when the musher passes the finish line.

                ii.   If a team goes through the finish line without the musher, the time of this team will stop when the musher passes through the finish line.

14.  TRAIL RULES

a.  ALONG THE TRAIL

 

                 i.   Each team and its musher have to run the totality of the trail fixed by the organisators.
If a team leaves the trail the musher will take his team and join the trail where he leaves it.
The trail signals will be as follows:

 

a)    RIGHT BEND: a red panel at the right side of the trail before the bend.

b)    LEFT BEND: a red panel at the left side of the trail, before the bend.

c)    TO GO AHEAD: this indication will be marked by blue panels along the trail.

d)    TAKE CARE: this indication will be marked by a yellow or orange panel along the trail.

e)    END OF THE STARTING AREA: (minimum 30 m) will be shown by panel(s) along both sides of the trail.

f)    A Panel "800 METERS" will be installed 800 m before the finish line to mark the "NO PRIORITY" area.

g)    On the trail, directions for the competitors will be indicated by panels showing the trail each category has to follow.

MARKING - Each category trail will have the possibility to be marked in different colours. If applied, the signification of the different colours will be announced during the Official Musher Meeting.

 

b.        THE TEAM DRIVING

 

                 i.   Competitors have the possibility to stay on runners, pushing or running. (PULKA) The competitors will run after their team skis booted.

                ii.   Any competitors who will use another vehicle than his sled during the race will be disqualified.

               iii.   Competitors will not disturb another team.

              iv.   All the dogs who start a heat, will finish it either arriving in the team or on the basket. (PULKA) If a dog is not able to follow the trail, the competitor will finish the heat by pulling the pulka with weight and the dog. In this case the pulka must be able to wear a dog.

               v.    If a dog starting with a team is not able to run until the end of the trail, it is expected to finish the eat in the basket.

              vi.   Transporting passengers (for any circumstances) during the race will be prohibited, except for the following reasons:
a) Any case specified in the present rules.
b) Transporting another competitor in an emergency situation.

 

c.         HELP ON THE TRAIL

 

                 i.   Any team/musher can be helped by an event marshall placed at strategic places along the trail. The conditions for helping will be mentioned by the Race Marshall before the start of the time-trail during the musher’s brief before the start.

                ii.   Mushers participating in the same time-trail will be authorized to help each other. The conditions will be mentioned by the Event Marshall during the musher’s brief before the start.

               iii.   Help on the trail provided by a spectator, an Event Marshall or a dedicated person must be restricted to holding the sled, except if the team is running free or dangerously for itself, other teams or people, they may also handle the dogs.

 

a)  If the competitor is not in a dangerous situation, to help will be limited in holding the sled.

b)  If a competitor is not there, the team will be stopped and hold until the musher or a Race controller will arrive and catch it.

 

              iv.   It will be absolutely forbidden to run along with a team in order to help and encourage it.

               v.   The musher is not allowed to encourage his dog(s) by running in front of them, except when going down hill in the case of the Canicross Class.

              vi.   The driver/musher may help his dog or team by pushing the scooter, bike or rig/cart.

             vii.   It is forbidden to call the dogs during a time-trail and also when they come to the finish line.

 

b.  TEAM OR DOGS FREE ON TRAIL

 

                 i.   Teams or dogs lost or free on the trail must not disturb or uphold other teams foor them  to loose time in the process.

                ii.   The musher has to catch his team himself and by his own means.

               iii.   Lost dogs have to be caught by the musher as soon as possible, and before continuing the time-ttrail, and have to be taken back in lines or in the bag.

              iv.   Teams or dogs lost or free can rejoin the trail without penalty only if the team completes the whole trail and will respect point 14c (iii).

 

c.   PASSING TEAMS

 

                 i.   When a team wants to pass another team, the fastest musher will ask the priority to the slowest one when his lead dog(s) will arrive about at 15 m distance.

                ii.   Passed team(s) will let the place to the fastest team and will park his team on the side of the trail, slow down or stop if asked by the fastest team.

               iii.   When a team is passed, he will not try to re-pass before:

a)    "O" Team: at least 4 minutes or 1600 m

b)    "C", "B", "A" Team: at least 2 minutes or 800 m

c)    The distance will be reduced if the two competitors agree.

 

              iv.   If a team passes another team and jam during the pass, the driver is authorized to ask the musher he passed to stop for maximum 1 minute in the category O and a half minute in all other categories.

               v.   A participant catching two teams or more, who stopped together along the trail, will be able to pass all those teams. All the other mushers will do the maximum to let this team free to pass them and avoid any trouble.

              vi.   Teams in queue will maintain at least the length of one team, except when passing another team in the "no priority" area.

15.   ATTITUDE & BEHAVIOUR 

a.  RESPONSIBILITY AND SPIRIT  

             i.    Each competitor is responsible for himself, his dog(s), his handler(s), on the time-trail area.

            ii.    Common sense and sport ethic will always control a situation. If the Event Marshall judges that the attitude of a participant, handler or team, will inflict injury or harm the image of the sport or jeopardise the time-trail event, the musher and team will be disqualified.

           iii.   During an official SAFDSS time-trail event, dog trading is prohibited. Should such behaviour be repeated the dog handler will be punished by banning to participate in official SAAFDSS competitions for 10 years.

           iv.   To prevent damage and/or injuries to humans and dogs, the pickets/temporary fences must be marked 50 cm above ground level.  

b.  MALTREATMENT WITH DOGS 

To beat dog(s) with or without tools are prohibited. When in need to stop fighting dogs,  the easiest way to break them apart is for a group of people depending on how many dogs are fighting - to lift the rear legs in bringing them off balance, they will loose their grip on one another and then pull them apart.

16. TRANSGRESSION OF RULES 

a.  EVENT MARSHALLS REPORT 

          i.    The Event Controllers will indicate to the Race Marshall any problem immediately or after the time-trail and transgression was done.

         ii.    The Race Marshall will be able to react at any transgress indicated by the Event Controllers.  

b.  COMPETITORS REPORTS  

          i.   Participants who want to report that a rule was transgressed by another musher have to declare the fact directly after the time-trail. Notification can be done orally.

         ii.   Any oral report must be followed by a written one. This neds to be handed to the Event Marshall less than one hour after the end of the time-trail.

        iii.   The written report will be given with a fee R100-00 which will be given back if the protest is justified and correct. Otherwise this amount will be transmitted to the SAFDSS Treasurer.  

c.   PROTEST AND DEFENSE  

          i.   Any participant or Race Controller involved in a transgression report is allowed to protest and ask to be listened to his defense by the Event Marshall.

         ii.   Any protest will be discussed with the Event Marshall, the SAFDSS Board representative and the Event Giving Committee during the daily delegates meeting.

        iii.   During this meeting a decision will be taken by this Event Committee and transmitted to the musher by his Club delegate.  

d.  DISCIPLINARY ACTION  

          i.    Any transgression of SAFDSS rules will be notified by the Event Marshall to the musher, the helper as follows:

  a) oral warning or
b) time penalty or
c) disqualification. 

         ii.    There will be no other actions taken apart from indicated above. The sanctions or decisions will be announced as soon as possible, but must be officially transmitted at last two hours before the start of the next time-trail in which the offender will be competing in.

        iii.    Any disciplinary action taken after the final event will be announced at least one hour before the Official Price-giving Ceremony.

        iv.    If for any reason, time to process the drug control will not be enough, the above time limit will be obsolete. The necessary time will be let to the laboratory. In this case the involved team driver will benefit of the same time delay as the needed laboratory process.

         v.    Drivers will have no claim whatever the Event Marshall decides.