The International Rocky Mountain Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) is a limited class competition: open to all dog mushers that meet the entry requirements as set forth by the IPSSSDR Organization.

The IPSSSDR Organization may encourage and maintain the philosophy according to which the competition is set out so as to allow anyone wishing to enter and complete it to do so within the limitations of the race capacity.

The Race aims are to determine which musher’s team will cover the race trail distance in the shortest time in compliance with the following regulations established by the IPSSSDR:

Section 1 PRE-COMPETITION PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION

All the specific information regarding the Race will be sent after the Race Rules and in accordance to the date and timing of the competition. A maximum of two official handlers for each musher may participate in the Race. (Only these two will have pre-arranged host family accommodations.) Registration for handlers is free of charge.

Entries are to be forwarded to:

International Rocky Mountain Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR)
PO Box 1940
Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83001

Payment of entry fee constitutes the mushers intent to enter the competition and comply with the present regulations. Musher entering the competition is confirmed by notarized application. The IPSSSDR Organization reserves the right to reject entries for just cause.

Participants must apply by mail. Mailed entries will be registered according to the postmark of the date sent. A maximum of 30 teams may enter the competition.

Section 2 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All entrants must be a member in good standing of PRIDE (Providing Responsible Information on a Dog’s Environment), prior to January 1, 2006:

Mush with PRIDE
PO Box 84915
Fairbanks, AK 99708

Section 3 VETERINARY PRE-RACE EXAMINATION

Before the competition starts, all dogs must undergo a physical examination. Examinations will be performed by the IPSSSDR veterinary team. Veterinary Pre-Race examinations will be held January 27, 2006 Entry number 1-15 10:00 A.M. - noon/ Entry numbers 15 - 30 noon - 2:00 P.M. Drivers meeting 2:30 pm. All dogs must be examined at this pre-race veterinary examination or will not be allowed to race. Only dogs in good health will be allowed to participate in the competition.

All dogs participating in the competition must have the following current vaccinations March 1, 2005 not March 1, 2004. (Vaccinations must have been given after March 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2006.)
 

• Parvo
• Corona
• Leptospirosis
• Hepatitis
• Distemper
• Bordetella
• Rabies*
   

*A current Rabies vaccination certificate, signed by a licensed veterinarian must be provided during the pre-race veterinary examination. If the musher is not able to provide one upon request, the musher will be required to have their dogs vaccinated by a local veterinarian and present the certificate to the Chief Veterinarian before their dogs will be allowed to enter the race.

Musher must be able to provide proof of purchase or procedure of vaccination during the official pre-race veterinary examination. The location of the pre-race veterinary examination will be provided to the mushers prior to January 27, 2006.

All dogs not participating in the competition but carried in the musher’s or handler’s truck or trailer, must have the same vaccinations as the participating dogs.

Section 4 CLAIMS

The musher agrees to hold the IPSSSDR main sponsor, co-sponsor and other contributors to the IPSSSDR (as distinguished from the individual mushers sponsors) harmless from any claim or demand based on any alleged action or non-action by the mushers, his dogs, agents, or others acting on his behalf.

The musher also agrees to release the IPSSSDR, competition sponsors and their agents and employees from any claim or demand resulting from injury to the musher, his dogs, property including, but not limited to, lost or dropped dogs and misplaced food and supplies.

Furthermore, the IPSSSDR has the unqualified and unrestricted authority with regards to photography and to gathering of information on the competition and all participants involved, as well as to the use of such photographs and information for advertising, public relations or any other publicity purpose related to the competition. The musher shall sign any/all documents that the IPSSSDR requests in evidence the foregoing. The documents must be executed at the “Mushers’ Meeting.”

Section 5 MUSHERS’ MEETING

Mushers must attend the Mushers’ Meeting as well as the official musher banquet before the start of the competition. The Race Marshall way waive the rule if a musher is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. In any case, the musher must hold a Musher Meeting with officials prior to the official mushers’ banquet that precedes the start of the competition. A fine and time penalty will be levied if any of the aforementioned conditions are not met.

After each stage there will be a mandatory Musher Meeting and official community function (all banquets) for all the participating mushers. Time and locations for both will be announced by the IPSSSDR prior to each event.

Section 6 RACE START

A. The Race will be held as scheduled regardless of weather conditions. The Race Marshall, Race Director and Chief Veterinarian may change the starting time and place as well as each succeeding stage due to bad weather and/or trail conditions.

B. The first stage will be timed and counted, it will become part of the musher’s official race time. The arrival order of the first stage will be reserved and shall become the starting order of the second stage.

C. The starting order of the first stage will be determined by a drawing. The drawing will take place during the pre-race mushers banquet. The drawing order is determined by the sign up order.

D. The fastest team each day will start in the last position the next day. This procedure will be followed throughout each stage of the race.

E. The overall leader will be required to wear the designated leader bib.

Section 7 DOG IDENTIFICATION

All dogs will be identified, marked and/or tagged with any marking technique provided by IPSSSDR including a micro-chip placed under the dog’s skin by IPSSSDR Veterinarians. Mushers must list the dog’s name, tag number/letter, as well as the marking technique used, on the form provided by the IPSSSDR.

Section 8 STAGES AND CHECKPOINTS

A. The distance between each start and arrival is considered a stage. The start and arrival locations are considered checkpoints. Mushers will be requested to personally sign in upon arrival at a checkpoint and have their mandatory gear checked upon any Race Official’s request.

B. In addition to the start and arrival checkpoint, there may be checkpoints along each stage. Mushers may be requested to sign an official control paper. Section 9 TWENTY-FOUR HOUR STOPS

Twenty-four hour stops may be scheduled during transfers and necessary rest days.

Section 10 RACE TIMING AND STARTING PROCEDURES

A. Teams will leave the starting line at three (3) minute intervals. A team not cleaning the starting chute - minimum distance 100 feet (30.5 meters) shall make way for the next starting team(s) and in no way shall interfere with their progress. Any musher not able to start according to the order drawn, will have to do so three (3) minutes after the scheduled last place musher. Trail time for each team shall begin at its original start time. If a team fails at a second aftermath to the Race Marshall may invoke a time penalty or withdraw the team.

Late start teams will leave in a succeeding three (3) minute interval order. Additional time may be allowed at the discretion of the Race Marshall.

B. The Race Marshall may impose a mandatory stop during stop during any stage. This stage will be considered one stage with one total accumulated time.

C. To be valid, each stage and related times must be certified by the Race Marshall. The Race Marshall may refuse to certify the times and not allow a stage if he and the judges find any evidence that reveals irregularities in officiating including trail breaking, marking and timing. The Race Marshall may either cancel or request the stage to be run again.

Section 11 SLED

A. Each musher may choose his own sled providing that it meets the necessary IPSSSDR requirements, that is tandem hitch with one tow line and not fan type hitch. Braking devices must be placed between the runners and not extend beyond the length of the runners; all sleds must be provided with a brush bow. The sled must have a five (5) foot long minimum, usable for hauling any injured dogs as well as carrying mandatory equipment and food. The basket length shall be defined as the usable distance measured on a straight line from back to front of the basket. The bag must be of equal dimensions, supported by the basket.

Section 12 SKIING BEHIND SLED

Skiing behind the sled is strictly forbidden.

Section 13 MANDATORY ITEMS

Each musher must have the following items with them at all times.

A. Mandatory Gear

1. Arctic Parka
2. Proper cold weather sleeping bag; minimum weight 4.4 pounds, rated zero (0) degrees Fahrenheit equivalent to minus twenty (20) degrees Celsius.
3. A usable three (3) gallon cooker and appropriate amount of fuel.
4. Axe with head weight 1.5 pounds minimum and a handle to be at least twenty-two (22) inches long.
5. Head lamp and working batteries.
6. Cable gangline and a cable cutter.
7. One pair of snowshoes with bindings , each shoe to be at least 31.5 inches long.
8. Any promotional materials provided by the IPSSSDR.
9. A veterinary book to be provided by the IPSSSDR Veterinary Team.

B. Mandatory Food:
 

1. Mandatory food for dogs and mushers must be carried from the start of a stage to a designated checkpoint.
a. The food will consist of a minimum of two (2) pounds of dog food per dog and one (1) day’s rations, minimum two (2) pounds from the musher.
b. During the mandatory overnight stage a musher must carry a minimum of four (4) pounds of dog food per dog.

2. During these stages, mushers may carry a tent or other protective material at the musher’s discretion.
Mushers are responsible for carrying out any food not used and/or refuse taken into any areas on the trail.

 

Section 14 CRUEL AND INHUMANE TREATMENT

CRUEL AND INHUMANE TREATMENT OF DOGS THAT IMPLIES ANY ACTION OR NON-ACTION, CAUSING PAIN OR SUFFERING TO A DOG WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THIS RULE WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

Section 15 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DOGS

A musher may start the race with no more than twelve (12) dogs on the tow line at any time. No dogs will be allowed in the basket. Dogs will be chosen from a maximum pool of sixteen (16) dogs. No dog may be added to a team once a stage has started. The maximum number of dogs in the team may be reduced to accommodate trail conditions at the discretion of the Race Marshall.

Section 16 JURISDICTION AND CARE

Dogs fall under the jurisdiction and care of the Chief Veterinarian and staff from the time the total pool number, the number of dogs entered in the race, is declared one (1) hour prior to the start of the race on the first day, until one (1) hour after the team finishes the last stage or withdraws. It is the responsibility of the musher to declare all the dogs the musher or the handler(s) are carrying during the competition, including those which do not participate.

Section 17 DROPPED/PULLED DOGS

A. A musher may drop dogs at designated start and arrival checkpoints. A musher may drop a dog up until the team leaves the starting line.

B. The Chief Veterinarian and staff reserve the right to pull a dog from a team at any time. Amy dog pulled by a veterinarian from the race will be identified, marked and not allowed to re-enter the race until such a time that the dog is recertified by the Chief Veterinarian. Recertification of dogs must be requested at least two hours prior to the mushers designated start time.

C. All dogs not running in the stage, up to the maximum allowed for a stage, and the fifteenth (15th) and sixteenth (16th) dog, will be declared as disqualified for this stage.

D. Care and transportation of all dogs is the responsibility of the musher.

Section 18 DOG CARE

In joint agreement the Chief Veterinarian, the Race Marshall and the Race Director may penalize a musher if the musher does not take proper care of the dogs, including dropped dogs, from the start unitl the end of the race. The musher or musher’s handler must assist the veterinarian performing the examination or treatment on the musher’s dog(s).

Section 19 DOG HANDLING

A dog may not be carried by another team except during an emergency. Dogs must be carried in a human manner and must be covered. Dogs may not be tied up behind the sled or allowed to run loose.

Section 20 EXPIRED DOGS Any dog expired on the trail must be covered and hauled in the sled to a checkpoint. The musher may transport the dog either to the checkpoint just passed or to the upcoming one. The musher must then complete a report and present it to a Race Official along with the dog. All expired dogs will be necropsied by the Chief Veterinarian.

Section 21 WHIPS

No whips of any kind will be allowed.

Section 22 HARNESSES

The neck and breast panel of all harnesses must be padded. Harnesses must always be in good condition.

Section 23 DRUG USE

No indictable, oral or topical drug which may suppress the signs of illness or injury may be used on a dog. No other drugs or other artificial means may be used to drive a dog or cause a dog to perform or attempt to perform beyond its natural ability. A musher may not inject any substance into their dogs.

The following drugs are prohibited:

A. Analgesics (prescriptive or non-prescriptive).
B. Anti-inflammatory drugs, including but not limited to:

1. Cortico-steroids
2. Antiprostaglandins
3. Non-steroids
4. Salicylates
5. DMSO

C. Central nervous system stimulants
D. Cough suppressants
E. Anesthetics
F. Diuretics
G. Anabolic steroids
H. Muscle relaxants
I. Injectable anticolinergics
J. Antihistamines

Dogs are subject to the collection of urine or blood samples, at the discretion of the testing veterinarian, at any point from the pre-race examination until two (2) hours after the teams finish each day. The musher or a handler will remain with the dogs. All results will be sealed and signed before the tests are considered complete.

A musher must assist the veterinarian in collecting samples whenever requested. If blood or urine testing of a dog reveals any of the prohibitive drugs in the dog, this rule has been violated regardless of when such drugs were administered to the dog.

The external use of topical Cortico-steroids is limited to use on the feet.

The use of megesterol acetate (Ovaban) and mibolerone (Cheque drops) as an estrus suppressant is permitted.

The practice of blood doping i.e. injection of whole blood, packed blood cells or blood substitutes is prohibited.

Race veterinarians may utilize any of the listed drugs or other prohibited drugs necessary to maintain a dogs health. However, such dogs will be withdrawn from the race. The use of general anesthetics will not be allowed in any form unless the dog is withdrawn from the race.

Personal prescriptions written for and carried by the mushers may not be used on the dogs.

The practice of blood doping i.e., injection of whole blood, packed blood cells or blood substitutes is prohibited.

Race veterinarians may utilize any of the listed drugs or other prohibited drugs necessary to maintain a dogs health, however, such dogs will be withdrawn from the race.

Personal prescriptions written for and carried by the mushers may not be used on the dogs.

Section 24 UNMANAGEABLE TEAM

Mushers may receive aid to control an unmanageable team and may continue in the race providing that it does not interfere with the progress of another team.

Section 25 FOLLOWING MARKED TRAIL

All teams and mushers must complete the entire race as marked and check in whenever requested.

Section 26 DRIVERLESS TEAM

Anyone may stop and secure a driverless team or a loose dog. The musher may recover his dogs either on foot or with another musher’s help and then continue the race. Any assistance must be reported to a Race Official at the next checkpoint. Should a team be picked up in an emergency, the team must be returned to where it left the trail if tit is to be continued ion the race.

Section 27 TEAMS TIED UP TOGETHER

Two or more teams may not be tied up together except during an emergency. In that case, the teams involved must notify Race Officials at the next checkpoint.

Section 28 MOTORIZED VEHICLES

Mushers may not receive motorized assistance, except in an emergency. No pacing allowed. Any motorized assistance must be reported to the Race Marshall immediately upon entering a checkpoint.

Section 29 PASSING

When a team catches up with another team within a distance of 50 feet, the team behind has the immediate right-of-way upon request by saying “trail”. The musher ahead must stop his dogs and hold them to the best of the musher’s ability for a maximum of one (1) minute or until the other team has passed, whichever occurs first. The team which was passed may continue racing yet must remain behind for at least four (4) minutes or one mile before the musher must request the right-of-way.

If the passing team becomes entangled as a result of the passing, the team’s driver may require the overtaken team to stop for no longer than one (1) minute.

Section 30 NO MANS LAND

A “ no mans land” will begin ½ mile from each finish line.

Section 31 PARKING OF TEAM ALONG THE TRAIL

During the race, mushers must select a campsite at least ten (10) feet off the race trail so as to avoid dogs interfering with the progress of other teams. Mushers needing to stop momentarily must not interfere with the progress of the other teams. At checkpoints, teams must be parked in locations which do not interfere with the movement of other teams and mushers.

Section 32 LITTER

No littering on the trail, in camps or parking areas. Special litter facilities will be available at checkpoints. Mushers are responsible for clean-up for team and self, including mandatory gear and food.

Section 33 OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE

Mushers may not receive outside assistance between a stage start and finish. Dog care and feeding between the start and finish is the musher’s responsibility only. If a driver is present in a non-emergency situation, help is limited to holding the sled. If the driver is not present, the team may be stopped and held until the driver or a Race Official claims the team.. Any assistance must be reported to the Race Marshall immediately after that stage.

Section 34 NIGHT CAMPING

No help by handlers and/or any other person is authorized until the end of the stage. When the next stage begins with the morning re-start, no help is authorized up to the finish of that stage. Race Officials may provide assistance to a team arriving at the camping area and departing the camping area to the starting line.

Section 35 ABANDONED TEAMS/LOOSE DOGS

A. A musher who looses or abandons his team during a stage, whatever the reason, for a period of time in a location that does not allow the musher to exercise direct care and control over the team, may be required to withdraw from the Race.

B. All dogs starting a stage must return to the finish line either on the towline or in the basket. In the event a dog leaves the team during a stage for any reason and cannot be retrieved, a musher cannot continue and is disqualified.

Section 36 ONE MUSHER PER TEAM

There will be one musher per team only and that musher must complete the entire competition.

Section 37 RACE PROGRESS

A. The overall leader is required to wear an identifying colored anorak provided by the IPSSSDR.

B. To avoid any delay in the race progress and ease the IPSSSDR tasks, the Race Marshall may eliminate a team which does not complete two (2) consecutive stages within 175% of the average time of the first three teams of each of these stages.

Section 38 FINISH

An official finish is determined by the nose of the first dog to cross the finish line. If a loose team crosses the finish line ahead of it’s musher, the team shall have finished when the musher crosses the finish line. Arriving teams are required to continue through the closed chute area past the second arrival to avoid any delaying other arriving teams.

Section 39 PRIZE AWARDS

A. The final prize award ceremony will be held no later than 24 hours following the first team’s arrival.

B. All mushers who have crossed the finish line up to fifteen (15) minutes before the awards ceremony must be present. The winner as well as 2nd and 3rd place mushers must attend the awards ceremony together with a team dog.

Section 40 GOOD SAMARITAN RULE

A musher will not be penalized for helping another musher during an emergency. Incidents should be reported to a Race Official at the next check point.

Section 41 INTERFERENCE

No musher may tamper with another musher’s dog food or gear or interfere in any manner in the progress of any other team.

Section 42 SPORTSMANSHIP

Mushers shall conduct themselves in a civil, sportsmanship like manner throughout the competition. No abusive behavior towards anyone will be tolerated. Mushers will also be responsible for their handler’s actions.

Section 43 USE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

The IPSSSDR will endeavor to provide a competition that is free of those drugs and medications that could unfairly enhance the performance of the musher or might endanger the musher’s animals or the musher’s health. For this reason, the following drugs which are banned by the International Olympic Committee are prohibited from the competition start until the competition ends, including the prize awards ceremony.

Stimulants (amphetamines), ephedrine and related compounds (including anabolic steroids)

• Diuretics
• Blood doping, street drugs and pain killer narcotics, including codeine, cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogens.
• Alcohol above the legal limit imposed by state traffic regulations.

Some physical disorders (i.e. high blood pressure and asthma) are commonly treated with above-listed banned drugs. (i.e. diuretics, metaproterenol and some inhalers). Therefore, mushers using these drugs should consult with their personal physician for substitute medication(s).

Under direct supervision of medical or drug testing staff, a musher may be requested to provide a urine sample 15 minutes after each day’s stage.

A positive test or refusal to provide such a sample will subject the musher to disciplinary action(s).

RACE OFFICIALS AND PENALTIES Section 44 ACE OFFICIALS

The Race Marshall and Judge(s) are responsible for the enforcement of all the Race Rules.

A. The veterinary staff is also responsible to assist with enforcement of dog care and treatment rules. In addition, the Chief Veterinarian is responsible to assist the race Marshall in all decisions that involve dog care and treatment.

B. The Race Marshall and Chief Veterinarian will consult with the Race Director prior to trail changes, disqualifications, withdrawals, press releases and penalties. ALL DECISIONSWILL BE FINAL.

Section 45 PENALITIES

A rule infraction may lead to the issuance of a warning, fines, time penalties, censure or disqualification.

Any Race Official may issue a warning which must be reported to the Race Marshall. Time penalties are issued by the Race Marshall.

Disqualification by the Race Marshall is based on recommendation of the other Race Officials. The Chief Veterinarian and Race Director will be included in all cases involving cruel and inhumane treatment . The Race Marshall’s decision is final.

Warnings may be issued for first time or minor violations

Fines may reach a maximum of US $5,000.00 per violation and can be deducted from prize money. No musher will be allowed to participate in future IPSSSDR events until fines are paid.

Time penalties of up to a maximum of five (5) hours per infraction may be issued if unintentional rule breaking gives the musher a time advantage.

Censures: The Board of Directors may censure a musher even once the race is over. A censure may be a warning and could lead to the musher’s exclusion from future IPSSSDR competition.

Any assessed penalty will be presented in writing to the musher.

Section 46 IPSSSDR ETHICS ON SPONSORING

The IPSSSDR is and must remain a race with its own ethics and with an original and particular spirit which together make up its value and interest.

The Race Organization must make sure that the spirit of the Race is not deviated by events which are against such a spirit, especially as far as advertising and sponsoring are concerned.
The mushers as well as the people who for any reason participate in the Race, even if they accompany or represent the mushers or are bound to the mushers by private agreements, must behave according to the spirit established by the Race Organization and refrain from any behavior which may be against this spirit.

For this reason the mushers may not wear clothes and use equipment that are against the interest of the race or cause damage to the race organization or to the official sponsors.

There, the race-bibs will be attached in such a way that the number and the name or names of the official sponsors be and remain perfectly visible during the entire race. at the start, at the finish and when the prizes are awarded, both daily and final.

As for the sleds, the Race Organization reserves the right to have a communication space of 36” x 24” on one side of each sled.

For the protection of each participant and for the image of the IPSSSDR, every musher and handler participating in the 2006 IPSSSDR gives their authorization to the IPSSSDR organization to supply and broadcast the photos and video footage representing the musher and his dogs taken before, during and after the event to be used for all kinds of support, through any technical supports as much by way of reproduction as by way of advertising, and the musher allows the IPSSSDR to transmit these authorized uses to other parties.