Principal modifications on Sport Rules 2008/2009

The technical commission finalizes its new sport rules proposal which were already approved by Management Committee. The final "OK" will be pronounced on GA in Teheran in October of this year.
The principal changes:

1/. English will be official language

2/. Championships.
Relays : For the women, the relay race will be made by team of 3.
For the Youth , is clarified now 1 Cadet Men + OBLIGATORY 1 Girl.
The 1st relay will always be run by the girl.

Program /compulsory if possible/:
During the study of the candidacy files, it will be taken into account the particularities of each, and the decisions will be taken in common : LOC – TD

Day 0 : Welcome (rather a Saturday or a Sunday)
Day 1 : Individual Senior and Espoir men and women
From 1440 m to 1760 m
Day 2 : Individual Youth (a day different that the races of Senior)
From 900 m to 1100 m
Day 3 : Rest
Day 4 : Vertical Race
Start’s order : Youth
Women 20 mn after the youth
Men 30 mn after the women
Day 5 : By Team Men and Women
Race superior of 2400 m and with technical parts
Day 6 : Relays
Before 2:00 pm except when race is on completely enlightened piste.

3/. World cup. On 1 or several days
For the races by team, with 2 or 3 competitors
For 2008/2009 we plan 8 races (4 singles and 4 team), singles race before European Championship, team races after EC.

European Cup will be temporary cancelled

We will have only One World Cup ranking (we will take 7 best results from 8 races).

We will have also permanent world ranking (all international race, WC, WChamp, and ISMF label races).

For all events World cups and ISMF Championship , the races by team are made by team of nation.

5/. International license.
- Compulsory to participate in ISMF’s Championships, as well as to obtain points for the World Cup classification.
- Commitment of the runners by federations on Championships ISMF and World cups.
For the races " homologated ISMF ", registration directly by the racer
- Continental Championships. Possibility of opening to the other continents, but the racers will not be classified on the Championships.

6/. Material
- Skis and shoes in Youth category = the same that for Women's category.
- Snow shovel : design registered and recognized by the official authorities of help.

7/. Procedure of Start:
- The starter does not say any more "Ready", but directly "Go" (or gunshot).
What obliges organizations to have an effective sound system.
- False start : In case of false start, we let continue the race.
A camera is placed on the line to show immediatly which made the false start. A penalty is applied to the racer who make the false start.

8/. Route.
Positive difference in height modified.
Individual Senior and Espoir M and W 1550 m +/- 10%
Youth M and W 1000 m +/- 10%
3 ascents minimum, 1 ascent not superior to 50 % of the route
By Team Course superior to 2400 m
VR Senior and Espoir M and W 875 m +/- 15%(from 745 m to1000 m)
Youth M and W 500 m +/- 15%(from 425 m to 575 m)
Relais 2 different ascent and descent Time not superior to 15 mn for the firsts men
Senior and Espoir M and W from 130 m to 200 m
Youth M and W from 130 m to 160 m

9/. Poles’ change = cancelled.
We can change poles where we want, but only in case of break-in - stick broken at the finish –

10/. Elaboration of the results To post as one goes along in the arrival

11/. Infractions and Penalties.
- From 1 mn minimum pass in 30 sec.
- By team, do not outstrip his(her) team member furthermore of :30 m in ascent,
10 sec. in the descent
- On the finih line, time between 2 team members subordinate in 5 sec.
If superior time, every second in more will be doubled

12/. Stop of the race.
Take into account the classification for the race, but not at the level of the General Classification World Cup and for the World Ranking

13/. Podiums.
Podium ISMF is rewarded a first.
It is deeply advised to the organizers to begin the prize-giving before 2:00 pm