WINTER SURVIVAL 2009

Army of the Czech Republic Open Winter Outdoors Polyathlon Championship

Winter survival is an extraordinary race of military three-member teams. This race puts high demands on individual skills and abilities of competitors who are to cope with difficult winter mountains conditions in which this race takes place. Given rules define basic requirements on team members' activities while letting the team members accomplish the tasks with a freedom of action and an opportunity of applying their own experience.

Competition rules:

Fundamental Provisions:
The competitors must completely pass each stage with:
• THE WHOLE SCOPE OF THE SPECIFIED DISCIPLINES
• ANY ASSISTANCE OF ANYBODY ELSE
• COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT
A condition of the competition is to comply with the instructions presented in this guidebook and briefings of the referees. Any appeal against the referee's decision is impossible.

Definition of terms:

Stage: is a time limited part of the competition. The competition consists of three stages:
•  Stage I – is focused on downhill skiing skills and on casualty evacuation.
It takes place on Day 1
•  II. Stage - “two day endurance race” is focused on terrain orientation using a map and a compass. Disciplines testing special skills are added to this race. It takes place on Days 2 and 3.
•  III. Stage – is focused on cross/country skills. Military elements are added to this stage, too. It takes place on Day 4.

Disciplines: are activities that represent the content of the race. They are divided into:
• Principal disciplines of individual stages
• Secondary disciplines: so called “rateable” and “unrateable survival activities”.
Each team must accomplish all the disciplines that are the part of the competition. They have to come to the start in accordance with directions specified for the given activity and try to pass it.

Primary disciplines: represent the main part of the race. Usual rating of theses disciplines is 200 - 1 points.

Rateable survival activities: are complementary disciplines of the race. Rating of these disciplines is 100 – 1 points. Description of these activities is given in the Guidebook or specified at each checkpoint.

Unrateable survival activities: Disciplines that are not awarded by points. However, the teams have to accomplish them successfully, if they wish to continue in the competition.

Time limits: are set for most of the disciplines. Exceeding the limits can mean adding an extra time to the total time, loss of points, and in one case it can mean disqualification.

Basic time limits for Stage II:
• Day limit for Days 2 and 3 is 12 hours (actual time). Waiting time is subtracted from the total time.
• Time limit to remain in the race within Days 2 and 3 is 14 hours. The time is measured from the moment the team starts off and is up after a lap of 14 hours. (Supposed time: 21:15 o’clock).
The time between the 12-hour day limit and the 14-hour time limit to remain in the race is called time shortage..
A team that did not pass some of the check points, and yet wants to use the limit of the “time shortage”, must arrive to the Finish area after the Day limit time elapses!
• Time limit for survival activities check points liquidation is 13 hours. The time is measured from the moment the last team starts off and elapses after a lap of 13 hours. In case the time limit is about to be out, it is the immediate readiness of the team that is crucial for the decision whether the team will be allowed to start or not.

Total time: It is a difference between start and finish times of the team. Penalizations are added and possible waiting time is subtracted from the total time.

Disciplines rating:
• „Passed“ This means that the team has fully accomplished tasks of a given discipline. If it is a “rateable” discipline, the total time of the team (or possibly rating points) will be recorded. The final order of teams will be set on the basis of their total times (rating points) and corresponding total number of achieved points.
• „Passed with penalization“. Teams or individuals who will not accomplish the discipline tasks in extent set in the guidebook will be penalised. The team that will “pass with penalization” can continue in the competition. Penalizations do not affect the time limits set for particular disciplines accomplishment. The team is penalized in following cases:
  1. Exceeding given time limit
  2. If the team tried to accomplish the task, but they found it to be „beyond the team’s strength”.
  3. When the team is not able to accomplish a part of a task, or accomplishes the task incorrectly.
  4. When exceeding the 12-hour time limit set for the Stage II of the competition (in the time of, so called, time shortage) for not collecting all check cards, and for unaccomplished disciplines. • Points and time penalizations
POINTS PENALIZATIONS:
  1. For time limit exceeding in disciplines of Stage I or III, provided that the team accomplished all tasks of the discipline. Penalization means getting no points for the discipline and subtracting 15 points from the team total number of points.
  2. For the 12-hour day time limit exceeding in Stage II, provided that the team does not exceed the 14-hour time limit to remain in the race. Penalization means getting no points for the principal discipline of the day and subtracting 30 points from the team total number of points.
  3. For inability to get a check card in Stage II, from the reason of Failure of time. Penalization means getting no points for the principal discipline of the day and subtracting 30 points from the team total number of points.
  4. For not participating in a rateable survival activity in Stage II for the reason of Failure of time. Penalization means getting no points for the discipline and subtracting 30 points from the team total number of points. Because each survival activity is a check point at the same time, the penalization means a loss of 60 points.
Penalizations stated in paragraphs 2 and 4 sum up.
TIME PENALIZATIONS:
  1. A team can be punished by even multiple penalizations for inaccurate accomplishment of any rateable activities of all Stages. Penalization (exactly described in the Guidebook) prolongs the total time of the team in the given discipline.
  2. When accomplishing rateable survival activities of Stage II::
    - For time limit exceeding. Penalization means getting no points for the discipline and 30 penalty minutes are added to the total time of a particular day.
    - If the task was “beyond the team’s strength“, penalization means getting no points for the discipline and 30 penalty minutes are added to the total time of a particular day.
    - In case that the team accomplishes only a part of the task. Penalization (exactly described the Guidebook) prolongs the total time of the team in the given discipline
• Disqualification: This means elimination of the entire team from the competition (to be decided by the jury). Reasons for disqualification are as follows:
  1. Serious, conscious breaking the rules of the race, especially breaking the “basic provisions”.
  2. Exceeding the 14-hour time limit to remain in the competition in Stage II.
  3. Inability to accomplish a discipline. (Excluding the Stage II disciplines that the team did not accomplish for the reason of „Time shortage“).
  4. Use of mobile phone allocated for Stage II.
  5. Accepting someone else’s assistance.
  6. Breaking the rules concerning damaged equipment replacement.
  7. In all other cases when decided by the Jury.

Disqualified teams may continue “hors concours“. In order to distinguish the disqualified teams, they will be equipped with special outfit. Disqualified teams must give way to other teams on the track! The referee will decide whether the disqualified teams will or will not be allowed to take part in Stage II disciplines right on the check point. The main referee will decide whether the disqualified teams will or will not be allowed to take part in Stage III on the previous day meeting.

Discipline rating:
• The order of all teams is set on the basis of total times in individual disciplines. On the basis of this order the teams are given corresponding number of points according to the Point rating table).
• Point rating table consists of 20 columns (according to the maximum number of teams) which state exact point values for particular placing. Number of teams that will take part in the particular discipline is crucial for use of corresponding column in the table to assign points in the discipline.
• When a particular discipline is accomplished by all teams that have checked in at the Start and have taken part in the competition, their point rating corresponds to their placing in particular column of the rating table. All teams get point equivalents in the extent of 200-1 point or 100-1point.
• In case that two or more teams reach the same placing in one particular competition discipline, they get the same point rating that corresponds to the highest placing. Example: 7th -9th places; all teams will get point rating corresponding to the 7th place.
• No points are assigned for time limits exceeding. At the same time the teams are penalized.
• Continuous and total placing of the team in the competition is set by simple summing up points gained for all finished disciplines and subtracting penalty points.

Compulsory equipment: This is the equipment of an individual or the team prescribed in the propositions or specified in the Guidebook. It can be supplemented with material provided by the organizers. Competitors are obliged to go through the whole route of each individual stage with this equipment, unless the organizer lays down something different in the Guidebook”.

Optional (also recommended) equipment: If the competitors wish to use some items of the optional (recommended) equipment on the route (mainly during the Phase II), which are in accordance with the competition rules, they have to carry them from the very beginning of the phase. This optional equipment involves mostly the items for outdoor sleeping, other mountaineering equipment, food, and material for repairs. At the start of the phase, the team must present a list of items for both compulsory and optional equipment and show these items for check if required by the organizations. This equipment may be checked anytime during the phase and must be brought to the finish.

Prohibited equipment: All tools/devices making the accomplishment of the tasks advantageous for the team, such as radios, GPS, mobile phones (with exception of those provided by the organizer for safety reasons) are prohibited.

Skiing outfit defect: teams can go on in the competition after having repaired their equipment on their own effort using tools they are carrying. Teams can finish the Stage (possibly part of it) even on foot. However, they have to bring the damaged skis and poles to the Stage Finish area.
Permitted replacement of skis and poles:
• In Stage I:
  - In the morning discipline, each competitor can replace damaged skis or poles for material of the same kind. The defect must be reported to the main finish area referee. The material replacement can be carried out only when approved by the main finish area referee;
  - In the afternoon discipline no material replacement is allowed!

• In Stage II:
  - One team is allowed to replace two skis (possibly even with shoes) and two poles only after arrival to the Competition Day 2 finish. Competitor will announce the replacement to the member of the organising staff in the Finish area. The organiser will make sure the material is ready at/for the start of Competition Day 3 in cooperation with the team leader.
• In Stage III:
  - One team is allowed to replace two skis (possibly even with shoes) and two poles only after arrival to the competition lap Finish area. Competitor will carry out the material replacement upon the approval of the starter in the Start/Finish area before he starts a new lap.
What may happen in Stages II and III is that one team member can completely replace his damaged skiing equipment.
In order to have an overview of skiing equipment, the competition skis and poles will be marked by stickers and ski boots will be equipped with elastic tapes.

Assistance of someone else: as an assistance of someone else is considered any material, physical or informative help during the course of a stage (does not include preparation between stages) provided by any person that is not a member of the team (by rivals, team leaders who do not take part in the competition, spectators, passers-by etc). The competitors may obtain information from the referees during the race, although these are not authorized to give any information that would put a team into an advantage. They may explain or clear up the rules only. Equally, they are not authorized to provide the competitors with any personal or material help. In case the team needs such help (it is understood medical aid or safe transportation to the finish area) it will be provided. However, it is an assistance „beyond the powers of the team“, which will result in disqualification of the team.
Only one exception is permitted. It is possible to accept help solely from the rivals at the checkpoint “Emergency Outdoor Sleeping”. It is also allowed to consult doctor about minor injuries, if needed, and ask him for other medical supplies at this checkpoint. The team has to treat the injuries unaided. Any other necessary help is considered as an “assistance of someone else”, and the team will be disqualified.

It is prohibited: to carry any cash, credit cards, visit a catering facility or shop of any kind during Stage II. Breaking this rule shall result in similar consequences as “Assistance of somebody else”, i.e. disqualification!
Team leaders who do not take part in the competition must neither communicate with the members of their teams, nor accompany them during the race!

Jury:

Questions concerning rules, and course of the competition will be dealt with by a seven member committee (jury).

The Jury is represented by: competition director, sport director, representative of the PT OS MoD department, chief of the competition, main referee, a team leaders´ representative, a competitors´ representative (the last two will be elected at the Sunday technical meeting) In case of situations that can seriously endanger regular course of the competition the jury can agree (even additionally) on changes at an extraordinary meeting.

Disciplines rating

Safety instructions:
During the competition, the teams are to comply with safety principles, regulations and instructions specified by the organizer. Primarily, it is concerning activities during the Stage II, when the teams move in an unknown terrain of widespread mountains.
The teams have to strictly respect the following rules:
  1. Each team has to move in the terrain together! Team members work individually only in a case of injury (e.g. one stays with the wounded person, second search for and calls help).
  2. At the start area, each team shall receive a sealed mobile phone with important telephone numbers, which may be used only in emergency (otherwise it shall mean disqualification of the team). The teams are obeyed to report serious injuries of any of the competitors immediately.
  3. If a team loses orientation and gets into danger, it shall try to establish telephone contact. Further, it will move to the nearest valley, where help can be expected. It is necessary to make prevention of hypothermia, chilblains, etc.
  4. Equipment used by the competitors must be safe, compliant with specified standards and be recorded by the ACR valid regulations (mountaineering – ropes, metal material, etc., in accordance with the UIAA standards and with the record card on using). The foreign teams shall follow their national legal standards.
  5. To link the chest and sit harness the competitors shall use the sling that comply UIAA and CE standards or the belaying rope end /UIAA knot/.
  6. 6. During the paintball weapons firing the competitors must unconditionally follow the rules specified by the chief of the discipline.
If the supervising medic finds out that any of the team member ´s health is jeopardized, he is authorized to stop activities of all team anytime during the competition.

Emergency situations will be handled by activation of the Integrated Rescue System via the Jeseníky Mountain Rescue Service.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

STAGE I 26/1/ 2009 - Competition Day 1

Morning

Primary discipline – “SKI CROSS“

Compulsory equipment: 1 pair of alpine skis, 1 pair of poles, a helmet, outfit for competitors – field uniform, number.
Flow of action: ski cross is a three-lap eliminating race. It takes place in groups (4, 5, or 6 competitors), on three downhill courses:
• Downhill course „C-mulda“ – competitors wearing blue start numbers;
• Downhill course „C“ (next to the ski lift) - competitors wearing red start numbers;
• Downhill course „B“- competitors wearing black start numbers.
TIME SCHEDULE:
1st lap
  - Basic group no. 1 – starting numbers 1-5 at 7:30 a.m.,
  - Basic group no. 2 - starting numbers 6-10 at 7:35 a.m.,
  - Basic group no. 3 - starting numbers 11-15 at 7:40 a.m.,
  - Basic group no. 4 - starting numbers 16-20 at 7:45 a.m.
2nd lap
  - Semi-final group no. 5 – competitors who end up at 1st and 2nd places in basic groups no.1 and 2 at 8:00 a.m.,
  - Semi-final group no. 6 - competitors who end up at 1st and 2nd places in basic groups no.3 and 4 at 8:05 a.m.,
3rd lap
  - Final group no. 7 – competitors who end up at 1st and 2nd places in semi-final groups no. 5 and 6 at 8:15 a.m.

Start area, the track, Finish area
  - Start area is marked with a line of cones (5 to 7 according to the number of competitors) and with a banner reading “START”. The distance between individual cones delimits the starting area for individual competitors; its width is 1m at minimum.
  - The track is delimited by giant slalom gates that are 6m wide at minimum. The colours of the gates change regularly.
  - It is allowed to go downhill once on the course in order to inspect the track from Start to Finish areas; however, this must be done out of the gates! Time interval to inspect the track is set from 7:15 a.m. to 7:25 a.m. (It is possible to use ski-lifts from 7:00 a.m.)
  - Finish area is delimited by both a giant slalom gate and a banner reading “CÍL”. Behind the finish area gate the official final results will be placed.

Rules:
  - When the number of teams taking part in the race is 19, number of competitors in the Basic group no. 4 will be decreased; when the number of teams taking part in the competition is 18, number of competitors will be decreased in Basic groups no. 3 and 4, etc.
  - The competitors are obliged to take up their positions at the preparatory line (10 metres before the start line) 30s before the race starts.
  - Starting positions allocation:
    - In basic groups from left to right from low starting numbers to high ones,
    - Competitors will choose their starting positions according to following pattern: basic group no. 1 winner, basic group no.2 winner, 2nd place competitor in basic group no. 2, 2nd place competitor in basic group no. 1.
If there are two competitors on the qualifying position, the first one to choose his starting position is the one with lower starting number.
  - Competitors start at following commands: “Připravte se! “ (Ready!) followed by a whistle blow.
  - Missed start means elimination (even due to damaged material or possible material replacement failure). Competitors are obliged to come to the Start area on time.
  - Competitors pass through the gates correctly if both ski tips and both feet intersect imaginary connecting line of the gate poles.
  - The competitor’s place is determined by the moment when his head intersect imaginary connecting line of the Finish gate poles.
  - If a competitor misses some of the gates and 3 minutes after the start does not arrive to the finish area, he is neither classified nor does he get points.
  - In case there are two competitors who finish the race on the first place at the same time, it is only them who qualify for the next lap. In case there are two competitors who finish the race on the second place, it is them (plus the winner) who qualify for the next lap (i.e. up to six competitors can qualify for the 2nd and 3rd laps).
  - The final results will be announced on the board as soon as possible after the group arrives to the Finish.
  - Competitor will get the point according to the total number of competitors: e.g. 4,3,2,1 pt, 4,3,2,1,0 pt, or 4,3,2,1,0,0 pt. Competitors who arrive to the Finish area at the same time will get an average value of the points (e.g. two competitors at the fist place will get the average value of point for 1st and 2nd places; i.e. 3,5 points).
  - Contact: deliberate, such as pushing, pulling, etc. that make another competitor slow down, fall down, or get out of the track is prohibited and means both immediate disqualification and getting no points. Unavoidable “accidental contact” can be accepted. All foul contacts will be assessed by track referees and confirmed by the main referee in the Finish area.
  - Protests: all protests must be reported to the main referee in the Finish area by the competitor immediately after the results announcement, before the start of the next group the latest. Protests must be solved 5 minutes before the next lap start the latest.
  - The main referee in the Finish area: announces final results, takes the final decision concerning a competitor’s disqualification due to foul, permits damaged material replacement.

Rating: competitors will achieve points according to the places they end up on. By simple counting up the points (achieved by all team members in all laps) final placing of the teams is set. Then, the teams get corresponding point rating 200 – 1 pt.

Afternoon

Primary discipline – “CASUALTY EVACUATION“

Compulsory equipment
Individuals: 1 pair of alpine skis and 1 pair of poles, a helmet, outfit for competitors – field uniform, number.
Team: transport stretcher - model UT 2000 (will be provided by the organiser), 1x sleeping bag, a rope, loops, carabiners.

Movement to the Start area, start, track, the Finish area:
Teams can move to the Start area either individually or can use the service provided by the organiser. The organiser will arrange departure from the Ovčárna chalet at 14:00 o’clock. (teams no. 15 to 20), at 14:30 o’clock. (teams no. 9 to 14), and at 15:00 o’clock. (teams no. 1 to 8). The ski lift „Velký Václavák“ („VV“) is supposed to be used.
The Start area is located approximately 50m above the upper station of the “VV” ski lift. The track description is as follows: uphill movement along a marked track towards the Praděd TV transmitter (poles, marking tape, and organising staff supervision). At the TV transmitter within the 5-minute compulsory interval, casualty drawing will take place. Teams will also get ready to transport the casualty (fix the casualty to the stretcher). The transport track leads from the TV transmitter following marking tourist poles, across the saddle under the Praděd Mountain, further on down towards the turning to Kurzovní chalet. The Finish area is located 30m after the turning on the contour line leading to this chalet. (the turning will be marked by a banner). The transport track goes mainly downhill; just in the upper part of the track there is a light (approximately 100m) rising. The whole track down is marked by poles; supervised by the organising staff.

Rules:
  - Starting order of the teams is opposite to the morning programme starting order.
  - Time schedule:
    - 14.45, 14.46, 14.47, 14.48, 14.49, 14.50 - teams no. 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15;
    - 15.15,15.16, 15.17, 15.18, 15.19, 15.20 - teams no. 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9;
    - 15.45, 15.46, 15.47, 15.48, 15.49, 15.50 - teams no. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3;
    - 16.15, 16.16 - teams no. 2 and 1.
  - There may appear a time shift with teams no. 14 to 1 (possible delay in organization); the possible delay will be dealt with by organizers immediately at the Start area.
  - There is an exact starting time for each team. Even if a team comes to the Start area late its time will start running anyway.
  - Team will grab the stretcher immediately after the start and will carry the stretcher along the whole way to the TV transmitter.
  - Referee does not have to approve that a team is ready for the casualty evacuation (even after its 5-minute preparation) if he thinks that the injured person is not sufficiently fixed to the stretcher.
  - Teams will unfasten the injured person and remove him from the stretcher right before the finish line (marked by two banners reading “CÍL”). Final time of the team is the moment when the stretcher without all fixing devices intersects the finish line.
  - Teams will be rated as “unable to accomplish the activity” if during the casualty transport they overturn the stretcher with the injured person on it.
  - During the activity no replacement of skiing equipment is possible.

Rating: Teams will get their placing and corresponding point rating (200 - 1 pt.) according to their final times.

Time limit: 50 minut.

STAGE II 27/1 - 28/1/2009 - Competition Days 2 and 3

Primary discipline – TWO-DAY ENDURANCE TECHNICAL COMPETITION
Time limit for each day: 12 hours (without time penalties).
Point rating for each day: 200 – 1 point.

COMPULSORY, OPTIONAL AND RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT FOR THE ENDURANCE TECHNICAL STAGE:

a) Individual compulsory equipment:
  - one pair of skis and one pair of poles (cross-country or alpinist);
  - mountaineering equipment: combined harness (or sit + chest harness + flat sling to connect the previous two), 2x sewn sling 22kN – length 120 cm, round loop 6 mm 1.5 m long, round loop 6 mm 5 m long, screw gate carabiners – 3pieces (at least one of them must be HMS carabiner), figure eight, mountaineer helmet;
  - backpack;
  - compass;
  - resources and food for surviving and sleeping in the open air (a flask, a sleeping bag);
  - head torch + spare batteries;
  - start numbers – to be compulsorily worn at the start, when accomplishing survival activities (if not modified by the organiser), and at the finish;
  - outfit – field uniform, during the Stage and during disciplines accomplishment it is allowed to use other kinds of military equipment as overgarment.

b) Team compulsory equipment:
  - medical kit (bandage, disinfectant, plaster, etc.)
  - tea making tools
  - emergency overnight equipment, it is NOT ALLOWED to use a tent!

c) Recommended equipment:
  - snowshoes, safety equipment, brakes, pulleys, and other mountaineer tools.

Rules:
  - In the Stage II teams are obliged to bring all the compulsory and optional equipment (listed in the form) they start with to the endurance stage finish!
  - THE TEAM MUST PASS EACH CHECKPOINT AT FULL STRENGTH!
  - Disciplines that are to be accomplished after arrival to the Finish area are fulfilled only by those teams that managed to get to the Finish area within the 12-hour limit!
  - At the start all competitors have to have at least 1 litre of drink. This will be checked by the referees.

Landscape profile: rough, climbing sections follow downhills and vice versa with considerable level difference.

27/1/2009 Instructions – Competition Day 2

Bus transport to the Start area:
All competitors depart at 5.30 a.m. by two buses (ready at 5.10 a.m. in front of the Ovčárna chalet)
• Bus 1: teams 1-10 starting at 7.00 a.m.
• Bus 2: teams 11-20 starting at 7.15 a.m.
After getting off the buses competitors will individually move to the Start area that is located about 500m slightly uphill.
The track of Competition Day 2:is generally in circle. The Start area that is situated in the middle is the Finish area at the same time. 15 minutes prior to start, the teams arrive to the Start area for ski and stick marking check. Five minutes prior to start the teams draw their 1:25000 scale maps for the race and receive their topographic template. On the map there are colour marks for the start area. The maps also contain frame data with UTM coordinates and legend in Czech and English, the coordinates and number of their first checkpoint (with UTM coordinates). After start the teams leave in a star pattern searching for their first checkpoint. The checkpoints are represented by lampoons containing a number, for example 5. On the lampoons there are two check cards (one for teams starting at 7.00 a.m. and another one for teams starting at 7.15 a.m.) plus information containing UTM coordinates of two nearest checkpoints, i.e. checkpoints no. 6 and 4. Teams take one card from the lampoon, mark it and keep it. They will either go on to the checkpoint no. 6 (clockwise) or to the checkpoint no. 4 (anti clockwise). |When advancing to the Finish area, the teams will follow their chosen direction (to the checkpoints no. 6, 7, 8…to the finish, or 4, 3, 2 …to the finish). If a team takes a check card from the checkpoint number 5, it is not possible to take a check card from, for example, the checkpoint number 8! At the checkpoints teams mark the relevant box in their check card using small pliers. Having collected all checkpoints (full check card), teams proceed to the Finish area (the same place as the Start area).
Referees will mark possible waiting times into the teams´ check cards!
After arrival to the Finish area teams will move to the Start area of the 3rd rateable survival activity of the Competition Day 2. When finished, teams will move to buses. Then, they will be transported to the Emergency overnight area.

Secondary disciplines:

1. Rateable survival activity - “PAINTBALL WEAPONS FIRING“

Flow of action: Competitors will fire semi-auto (single shots) paintball weapons with open sights. Rate of fire is 6 shots per second at maximum. The firing will be carried out at one place. The targets will be represented by four figurants, 3 wearing military field uniform and one civilian wearing plain clothes. Order of competitors will be as follows – blue, red, and black numbers.
Competitors take off all unnecessary equipment. The chief of the discipline will take a competitor to the firing area, and then specify the location of figurants. Before firing at “live targets”, competitors can fire 2 trial shots at any target within the area of figurants´ movement.

Rules:
  - Discipline is started by a whistle-blow. Consequently, figurants run into the delimited area.
  - Figurants run around, take cover behind natural obstacles (especially trees) following pre-set tracks and time intervals.
  - Overall time for firing is 1 minute; possibility to fire ends when figurants run out of the delimited area.
  - Maximum number of an individual figurants´ runs is 5.
  - Competitors are allowed to hit moving targets only; i.e. when figurants are running.
  - Figurants will signal the hit using a signal flag. When taking cover behind a natural obstacle having been hit before, the figurant is already “dead”. Only one hit counts during one run!
  - Maximum number of targets during runs is 4 (figurants) x 5 (runs).
  - All competitors have 2 trial and 30 competition shots (paint balls).
  - A hit is valid if the paint ball hits any part of the figurant’s body or equipment. The paint ball DOES NOT HAVE TO necessarily mark the figurants (does not break)! Hits are evaluated by referees after discussing the matter with the figurants. Then, referees will announce the firing results to the competitor.
  - It is not possible to appeal against the firing results.
  - Competitors have the right, in case of stoppage, to repeat the part of the firing from the moment when the stoppage appeared.
  - Hitting the figurant means +1 point, hitting the civilian means -2 points.

Rating: By counting up the positive points and subtracting the negative ones of all three team members, final placing of the teams is set. Then, the teams get corresponding point rating 100 – 1 pt..
Note: Teams may happen to accomplish this discipline after it gets dark. In that case, Figurants will be equipped with head torches and red lights. Figurants wearing BDU’s (positive points) will carry torches using constant illumination mode; the civilian (negative points) will carry a torch using intermittent (signalling) mode.

2. Rateable survival activity – “INDIANA JONES“

Compulsory equipment: a combined harness (or sit + chest harnesses), a helmet.

Flow of action: after arrival at the checkpoint teams take off unnecessary equipment, put on the compulsory outfit, and get belayed to prepared ropes. Their task is to overcome natural and artificial obstacles on their way to the finish mark. Team members accomplish the task individually. However, they start together at once at a whistle blow.
  1. member overcomes the track leading to the whistle using rope net, vertical ladder, climbing up a tree, and then using horizontal ropes.
  2. member overcomes the track using inclined ladder, then climbing up a tree to the finish mark – horizontal log fixed to the trunk 25m above the ground. The finish mark is represented by two red stripes. The distance between the stripes is 1m. When a competitor reaches the finish mark, he performs a hanging position (over grasp) on the horizontal log. Then, he tries to stay in the hanging position as long as possible (hands next to each other).
  3. member overcomes his track leading obliquely up using a Barm bridge, then using a vertical ladder up the tree to the finish mark. The finish mark is represented by two red stripes. The distance between the stripes is 2,5m. The distance between the tree and the vertical ladder is approximately 40cm. Within the area of the finish mark, a competitor will “hug” the tree (“a bear-like style”) and tries to stay in this position as long as possible.
Competitors are secured by the organizer.

Rules:
  - Teams can accomplish the tasks only after being checked up by the referees.
  - Competitors have to follow the direction of safety ropes.
  - When climbing up the trees, competitors must not damage the tree. However, they can use the tree branches to climb up.
  - The first team member using horizontal ropes has to apply the lean upon the rope technique; he also must not get belayed to these two ropes. When overcoming the horizontal rope the competitor may happen to overturn. In this case the competitor goes on moving on the inclined rope using any technique he likes. (using his own power, no tools/equipment). However, he gets a 5-minute penalization. The finish time is the moment when he manages to blow a whistle that is placed at the end of horizontal ropes. Then, he is descended down on the ground.
  - The finish time of the second competitor is the moment when he manages to perform the hanging position in the area of finish mark. The length of time the competitor is able to stay in the hanging position is then subtracted from the finish time. The final time is the moment when the competitor’s hands get off the log (finish mark).
  - The finish time for the third competitor is the moment when he manages to take the “bear-like” position (“hugging” the tree) in the area of the finish mark – between the two red stripes. The length of time the competitor is able to stay in the bear-like position on the tree is then subtracted from the finish time. The final time is the moment the competitor touches any of the two red stripes by any part of his body. The competitor must have neither his hands nor his legs fixed in the vertical ladder.
  - It is not allowed to use the safety ropes to help either to move up or to stay in the static positions.
  - When the competitor falls (being secured by the rope), his task is over, and is then descended down to the ground.
  - A team member that is not able to accomplish the task gets a 50-minute penalization.

Rating: The final time of the team is a sum of finish times minus the times the competitors are able to stay in static positions. It is a rateable survival activity with rating of 100 - 1 point.
Time limit: 20 minutes

3. Rateable survival activity – “AZIMUTH RACE“

Compulsory equipment: a compass
Compulsory equipment provided by the organiser: marking peg

Flow of action: Teams accomplish this discipline after arrival to the Finish area of the Competition Day 2. After taking off all unnecessary equipment the team will approach the referee. All team members will get marking pegs and will draw a card containing necessary indicia (azimuth, distance between checkpoints). After the start (a whistle blow) the competitors move following azimuth angles and distances (given in metres) to the finish area. In their finish area they stick their marking peg in the ground. Then, they come back to the Start area.

Rules:
  - Team members start the activity together, accomplish their tasks individually.
  - Competitors are allowed neither to help each other nor give advice in any way.
  - Once the peg is stuck in the ground it is not allowed to pull it out and correct its position.
  - This discipline can be accomplished by more then one team at once. If the chief of the discipline announces that the discipline area is busy, next teams will have to wait in designated area.
  - It is prohibited to kick out, pull out or in any other way remove the pegs that have already been stuck in the ground. If so, team is rated as “unable to accomplish” this discipline.
  - Time limit to accomplish the task is 10 minutes. None of the team members can exceed the time limit.
  - The difference between the marking pegs and real finish points will be measured in centimetres.
  - The sum of differences of all team members means the final difference of the team.

Rating: It is a rateable survival activity. The value of the final difference of the team will put the team on its final position based on which the team will get corresponding point rating 100 - 1 pt.

COMPETITION DAY 2 FINISH TIME

The measured time for the 2nd day ends as soon as the team reaches the finish area. Penalties for possible “failed” secondary disciplines will be added to the finish time. Once arrived at the survival area the team report necessary replacements of skiing equipment to the leader of the area!!!

Unrateable survival activity – “EMERGENCY OVERNIGHT”

Competitors will spend the night in the open air within the designated area of the “Emergency Overnight“ checkpoint. Shelters and food will be made of their own equipment and supplies. The organiser will provide a central fireplace. Water will be available in a nearby stream. When boiled, distilled, chemically prepared, the water can be used to refill liquids or for cooking. The organizer will provide means for chemical preparation of the water (Tramp – time of preparation: 1,5 – 2 hours). Using the water for other purposes is at one’s own risk. This is the only checkpoint at which help may be accepted, but from rivals or organizers only. It is allowed to consult the doctor about minor wounds and request medical supplies. However, the team has to treat the injuries unaided. If help from organizers is necessary, the team will be disqualified.
For environment protection sake, it is forbidden to cut or damage any living plants of growth. However, supplies provided by the organisers will be available to use.

28/1/2009 Instructions – Competition Day 3

Material replacement:
  - The organizers will give the team leaders information concerning the need of material replacement after they get to the Competition Day 2 finish area.
  - The team leaders will provide loading the spare equipment up the Chief’s of the Stage vehicle before 5:25.
The vehicle will be ready in front of the Ovčárna chalet at 5:15, leaving at 5:30!
  - The competitor will replace the material with the help of organizers.

Organization before, during, and after the start is similar to the one on Competition Day 2.
Start: Competitors will move to the Start area individually. The start area is located approximately 1km away from the emergency overnight area (land profile – flat, slightly uphill).
Differences in the Day Organization:
  - Teams will not draw the maps; the maps are allotted to teams according to how difficult it was for them to get to the 1st checkpoint of the Competition Day 2. (easy x difficult and vice versa, medium difficult x medium difficult);
  - · There is a change in starting order of the teams: Teams no 11 to 20 starting at 7.00 a.m.; teams no. 1 to 10 starting at 7.15 a.m.

Once the teams arrive to the Finish area, they move to the Start area for the 3rd rateable survival activity of the Competition Day 3. When finished, they will be transported to the Ovčárna chalet.

Secondary disciplines:

4. Rateable survival activity – “ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE“

Compulsory equipment: combined harness (or sit + chest harness + flat sling to connect the previous two), a helmet, round loop 6 mm 5 m long, round loop 6 mm 1.5 m long, screw gate carabiners – 3pieces (at least one of them must be HMS karabiner), 2x sewn sling 22kN – length 120 cm.
Compulsory equipment provided by the organizer: transport stretcher model UT 2000, a rope.

Flow of action: after arrival at the checkpoint teams take off unnecessary equipment, put on the compulsory outfit and get belayed to the prepared ropes (improvised “via-ferrata”). The start area of the discipline is situated at the end of the secured way (at the foot of the rock).There are two tasks to be accomplished by the teams.
  - Task 1: rock climbing. The first team member will climb up the rock (approximately 15m high) using fixed points pre-arranged by the organizer. He is secured by his mate climber who uses the rope from the compulsory equipment. Once he gets on the top of the rock he will secure himself into the securing point. Then he will secure the rest of his team members on their way to the top of the rock. The top and bottom securing points are provided by the organizer.
  - Task 2: pulling up a casualty on the stretcher.
    - One of the team members will become “the injured”.
    - The other two team members will then fix “the injured one” to the stretcher and pull him up using a pair of inclined ropes to the finish mark. Pulleys with the carabiner (connecting the two pair-ropes), determined to be used to hang the stretcher on, will be pre-arranged by the organizer. Team members can use an anchor point and a rope pre-arranged by the organizer to pull the injured person up.

Rules:
  - Teams can accomplish the tasks only after being checked up by the referees!
  - When using the fixed way the competitor is belayed on the fixed rope using two carabiners. When passing the fix points he uses (for time necessary) one carabiner only. The fix rope usage for proceeding as allowed. There can be just one competitor between two fix points!
  - During Task 1 the first climber has to secure himself at all fixed points. (express carabiners). In case of fall or controlled belayed fall, go on and accomplish the activity.
  - The injured person must be safely fixed to the stretcher; hung on a tandem pulley on inclined ropes. It is necessary to prevent the pulling system from backward movement of the load (the injured). If an obstacle happens to appear on the pulling rope (a knot), it is necessary to prevent the load from backward movement at all times. Referees can stop the team in case of a wrong procedure by a “STOP” command. In this case, the team is obliged to stop its activity and make a new safe procedure that must be approved by the referees. Only then can the team go on and finish the activity.
  - Okamžik, ve kterém se nosítka dotknou cílové mety je cílovým časem hlídky.
  - The moment the stretcher touches the final mark is considered to be the final time of the team.
  - If any team member happens not to be able to accomplish his task, the discipline is rated as “beyond the team’s strength”.

Rating: It is a rateable survival activity with rating of 100-1 point.
Time limit: 25 minutes.

5. Rateable survival activity – “DANCING ON A TOTEM“

Compulsory equipment: combined harness (or sit + chest harness + flat sling to connect the previous two), a helmet.

Flow of action: teams take off unnecessary equipment, put on the compulsory outfit. There are two tasks to be accomplished by the teams at once.
  - Task 1: to be accomplished by the 1st team member – climbing up to the top of a tree using tree branches. Being on the top, the 1st team member stands on a board and rings a bell = finish. When his task is over, he is descended down on the ground being secured by the organizer.
  - Task 2: to be accomplished by the 2nd and 3rd team members together. The second one represents “a load” that will by pulled up to a bell = finish by the third one using an arranged pulling system. To accomplish this activity, the organizer will pre-arrange an anchor point and a rope.
Team starts together. Finish = to ring a bell.

Rules:
  - When climbing up the tree, the competitor must follow the direction of safety ropes. Safety rope must not be used to support the climbing. When stepping on the board it is not allowed to touch the support construction which the bell is fixed on.
  - The 3rd team member performing the “load pulling” arranges the pulling system after the start. It is necessary to prevent the system from backward movement of the “load”. He can start the pulling activity only when approved by the organizers.
  - The 2nd team member (“the load”) must not in any way help with arranging the system nor the pulling itself (not even verbally). The only thing he is allowed to do when he is pulled up to the finish mark - is to finish the task by ringing the bell.
  - Sum of Tasks 1 and 2 times means the final time of the team.
  - In case that the team is not able to accomplish one of the tasks, they get a 40-minute penalization.

Rating: It is a rateable survival activity with rating of 100-1 point.
Time limit: 20 minutes.

6. Rateable survival activity – “TREASURE HUNTERS“

Compulsory equipment provided by the organizer: 2 x avalanche set (a shovel, avalanche probe, avalanche transceiver), transport stretcher - model UT 2000.

Flow of action: Teams accomplish this discipline after their arrival to the Competition Day3 Finish area. Competitors take off unnecessary equipment and take over compulsory equipment. They start at a whistle blow. They are supposed to accomplish two tasks.
  - Task 1 is to localise and dig out (using the compulsory equipment) subjects (equipped with avalanche transceiver) hidden under snow. The subjects are located in delimited area (approximately 40x40m). As soon as the team finds all subjects, they will bring them to the Start area.
  - Task 2 is to fix one team member (“the injured”) to pre-arranged stretcher and (when approved by the referees) transport him on a given track to the Finish area.

Rules:
  - The team accomplishes both tasks one by one altogether.
  - The avalanche set is used only within Task 1.
  - The subjects covered by snow must be brought to the Start area undamaged and complete!
  - “The injured” must be fixed to the stretcher sufficiently and safely. If referees think it is not so, the team will not be allowed to start the transport.
  - The team can use all pieces of equipment to fix and transport “the injured”. They will take this equipment off before the start in the Start area.
  - Depending on the snow conditions, the stretcher can be either pulled or carried. However, the insured’s health must not be jeopardized!
  - If the team happens to overturn the stretcher with “the injured”, they will be rated as “unable to accomplish the task”
  - The finish time of the team is the moment when they arrive to the finish area with “the injured” on the stretcher.

Rating: It is a rateable survival activity with rating of 100-1 point.
Time limit: 25 minutes.

COMPETITION DAY 3 FINISH TIME

The measured time for the 3rd day ends as soon as the team at full strength at with complete equipment reaches stage II finish point. Possible penalizations gained in secondary disciplines will be added to the total time.
At the finish point the team will hand in the check card and the mobile phone. The mobile phone will be checked up for its integrity.

STAGE III 29/1/2009 - Competition Day 4

Primary discipline – two-lap paramilitary off-road relay race

First lap – individual paramilitary relay race
Second lap – team paramilitary race

Flow of action: The mass start of the race for runners with blue numbers takes place at the area nearby the “Kurzovní” Hotel. After the starting shot, these competitors run to the ski storage area to put the skis on and go along the marked track. Competitors with red and black numbers start the race wearing the skis already. The track is marked with colour flags and supervised by the referees along the whole length of course. The sections of low readability and the downhill sections are marked with marking tape. Competitors run a three-kilometre circuit; one competition round consists of two circuits. A part of the competition is the paramilitary discipline “dummy grenade throw at the target”.

Rules:
  - · The starting number order is: blue – red – black.
  - · It is a two-lap paramilitary relay race. Each member of the team runs the first lap individually. When the last member of the relays team finishes the first lap, the team runs the second lap altogether.
  - · The handovers take place in a marked up area at the Start.
  - · In the course of each lap (always after finishing the first three-kilometre circuit) the competitors take part in the “Grenade throw at the target” discipline.
  - · Time spent at the “Grenade throw at the target” check point is a part of the total running time of the team in the competition.
  - · Based on the referees´ instructions it will be possible to provide the competitor with refreshment at the Start area.
In a case of defect on the skiing equipment, the competitors may replace the skis or poles in accordance with the regulations. See part “Skiing outfit defect”.
Rating: final time of the last team member is the final time of the whole team Time achieved by the last member is decisive for rating of the whole team. The rating scale is 200 – 1 point.
Time limit: 180 minutes.

Secondary discipline:

Rateable survival activity – “GRENADE THROW AT TARGET”

Flow of action: There are four vertical round targets of 1.2m in diameter in the marked area. Weight of the rubber grenades is 350g. Targets are placed approximately 15 m from the throwing line. Competitors throw the grenades with the skis on. Each competitor will throw three times during the first as well as the second lap – six throws altogether.

Rules:
  - The referee of the checkpoint signals the hit if the grenade thrown by the team member hits or touches the target directly.
  - Hit by grenade deflected from the earth does not count.
  - If more runners / teams arrive at the checkpoint, they follow the instructions given by the chief referee of the checkpoint. The team members are to register for the discipline at the referee and receive the dummy grenades in the checkpoint vicinity.
  - No loss time is measured.

Rating: This discipline is rated separately. The ranking depends of the total sum of successful hits.
It is a rateable survival activity with the rating scale 100-1 point.