La Patrouille des Cèdres

2008 RACE REGULATIONS

1. Introduction

The "Patrouille des Cèdres" (hereafter "PDC") is an international military ski-touring race open to civilian patrols. It comprises 1 itinerary to be accomplished in a single stage. Its distance, high overall altitude and profile make this mountain race unique in its kind.

Because of these characteristics, a request to participate in the PDC race necessitates:
A very good knowledge of mountain terrain - an essential condition to master the unforeseen and sometimes extreme situations encountered in the mountain.

A personal commitment to the physical, mental and technical preparation for this race.

An unconditional acceptance of the present regulations as well as all instructions issued by the organizing committee, before, during and, if necessary, after the event.

A positive attitude showing team spirit, regard for other participants, friendliness, solidarity, prudence, a sincere personal performance, and respect for the mountains and for nature.

The race will include two patrol categories, civilian and military, of two contestants each. It is open to teams of males, females, or both. Mixed patrols (men and women) will be considered with the male patrols in the ranking procedure. Minimum age for competitors is 15. Young participants between 15 and 18 years of age must be registered by their parents or legal guardians.

2. General information

2.1 Departure
At 8:30 from Faqra Kfardebian. The race committee reserves its right to modify the starting times in accordance with the total number of patrols registered for each departure time, and with the existing weather/snow conditions.

Under no circumstances may participants change their attributed starting times on the spot.

2.2 Race course
The course shall comprise a distance of 15 km approximately, with positive and negative altitude variations close to 1500 m. The said course will be marked out.

2.3 Categories

2.3.1 The PDC shall comprise 3 categories:

Female patrols
Each comprising 2 female competitors.

Civilian patrols
Each comprising 2 male competitors or one male and one female (mixed)

Military patrols
Each comprising 2 military contestants

2.4 General rules for all patrols

2.4.1 Each participant must comply with the race regulations and any instructions received before, during and after the competition.

2.4.2 Patrol members must cross the line together (with a maximum of 10 meters between the first and last member).

2.4.3 The time is recorded when the last member crosses the finish line.

2.4.4 "Witch-riding"
Sitting astride the ski poles on downhill stretches is permitted.

2.4.5 Race course
Patrol members shall carry their own gear from the departure to the finish line. No exterior assistance is authorized.

2.4.6 Checkpoints
The markings placed all along the race track lead to checkpoints by which every team is obliged to pass. The checkpoint official will ask the head of the team to sign a manifest certifying that the patrol has passed through the checkpoint.

2.5 Protests

Protests shall be submitted at the finish line - within maximum half an hour after the concerned patrol has crossed the finish line. They shall be duly justified and presented in writing to the race authority.

2.6 Disqualification

Any infringement of the rules will entail disqualification. This penalty may be notified during the race by a checkpoint official or a PDC technical delegate. Officials having the authority to disqualify will wear an identifying arm band. A disqualified patrol is not entitled to any prize or medal.

2.7 Elimination

One of the official doctors may decide, for medical reasons, to prevent a patrol from continuing with the race. This decision is irrevocable. In such a case, a patrol must comply with the orders given by the doctor or chief checkpoint official.

2.8 Patrol designation

2.8.1 Military patrols
Each patrol shall be registered in legible letters under the designation of its choice.

2.8.2 Civilian patrols
Each patrol is enrolled under a name reference. Only decent denominations will be taken into consideration. The same denomination may not be given to 2 distinct patrols; it shall be given to the patrol which registered first.

2.8.3 Numbers
Each patrol member will be given a tag number to wear prior to the race. Wearing the number throughout the race is mandatory for each patrol member. Removing it at any moment will entail the disqualification of the concerned participant.

2.9 Enrollment of patrols

2.9.1 Subscription
The application form can be downloaded from the race website. Registration may be carried out in one of two ways:

Online

Through Bank Audi

2.9.2 Validation of subscription
It shall be agreed that the patrol leader will bear responsibility for the team towards the organizers. The participation form shall stand as a legal contract for him, binding him to personally take part in the race and to only register in his team people who fulfill the competences below:

A good knowledge of the mountain region

Very good skiing skills

Healthy physical condition

Capability of crossing the race sections under normal conditions

It is highly recommended to register one substitute for each team.

2.9.3 Patrol selection criteria
Only teams (with substitutes) who have been interviewed by the race management will be definitively accepted.
Every team will be contacted by telephone to set the date and timing of the scheduled interview. The patrol leader may not change his team prior to the race unless he has obtained the approval of the race official. Changing the team will necessitate an interview with the replacing member.

2.10 Insurance

Every participant must be personally insured (attention: special premium for "high mountain" risk). The patrol leader shall confirm in his final registration that his team members fulfill such conditions.

2.11 Material and equipment

Civilian and military patrols shall carry the same technical gear.

2.11.1 Specifications for skis, bindings, footwear and rope

Skis:

Only skis are accepted.

Minimum length: 150 cm.

Width under the binding: maximum 110 mm, minimum 60 mm.

Metal edges on at least 90% of the entire length

Snowboards, including separable snowboards, are forbidden.

Bindings for ski-touring:

They must hold down the heel firmly when going downhill. Cross-country ski bindings or similar equipment are strictly forbidden.

Footwear:

Backcountry or alpine skiing boots are permitted.

Boots must give firm support and cover the ankle completely.

Cross country ski boots and similar equipment are strictly forbidden.

Exchange of a broken ski is allowed and could be done only at the nearest checkpoint.

2.11.2 Mandatory equipment
Every patroller shall be obliged to carry the following:

Personal gear suitable to the mountain altitude (warm clothes and a wind breaker)

Food for the whole journey at the free choice of the patrollers

Cap and sunglasses

Two pairs of gloves

At least 800 ml of water

Backpack that can fit skis

Each patrol must have the following:

1 survival blanket

First aid kit

2.11.3 Equipment and material check
Equipment and material will be checked:

at the head start (patrols must show up 1 hour before departure time);

In a few checkpoints along the race

upon arrival, as required by the race organizers

A patrol whose material or equipment does not fulfil the standards or who loses possession of the entire material throughout the race will be disqualified.

3 Patrol discipline

3.1 Each patrol moves as an independent group with its own complete equipment, like a roped party in the mountains.

3.2 Each patrol must go through all checkpoints grouped together (max. 10 m between the first and last member) with all race numbers visible. The patrol leader sees and speaks to the officials manning the checkpoint:
The leader shall indicate:

the patrol's number;

the name of each patrol member.

The patrol may leave the checkpoint only when it has been registered and all members are present.

3.3 Participants must comply with instructions given by race officials and doctors at all times.

3.4 In addition to the official instructions, patrols are to take all appropriate precautions, imposed by the prevailing conditions, to avoid any accident.

3.5 Every participant shall follow the markings at the penalty of disqualification

3.6 Withdrawal

Every patrol wishing to withdraw from the race must announce it to the nearest checkpoint. A competitor may not continue the race alone if his partner wishes to withdraw. In no case whatsoever may a patroller end the race alone or be left alone on the race track outside a checkpoint.
Any contestant who does not strictly respect this condition will be banned from taking part in future PDC's.

Any patrol that has withdrawn from the race is obliged, using its own material and equipment if possible, to head immediately to the nearest checkpoint to announce it. Under no other circumstance shall the patrol be allowed to quit the race, remove the tag numbers, or stop at a cabin or any other place.

The officials of the checkpoint where withdrawal was announced will take charge of the patrol which must, in all cases, abide by the received orders.

In case of danger or accident, patrols must exchange assistance or proceed with help procedures either spontaneously or at the request of a checkpoint official or doctor.

3.7 Technical assistance

It is strictly forbidden for people outside of the race to help put on or take off the following:

sealskins

skis

*help the patrollers

3.8 Environment protection

All participants are expected to show respect for the mountains and to be environment-conscious, particularly by carrying along all their waste.