The South African Federation of Sleddog Sports 
Event  Rules

CHAPTER ONE (General Rules)  (Applies to all styles and classes)
Note: In case of discrepancy between general rules and special rules, the special rules shall prevail. In these rules, the masculine shall include the feminine.

I.   ENTRY RULES

1. Eligibility

1.1.  Entries

1.1.1.  An entry for an event shall be submitted prior to the start of the event, subject to entry deadlines as determined by the event-giving organization.
1.1.2.  The event-giving organization may reject any entry for just cause.

2. Drivers

2.1   The driver starting a team in the first heat of an event shall drive that team throughout the race.
2.2   A change in driver can only be made as the result of illness or injury to the authorized entrant and must have the approval of the Event Marshal or Event-giving organization.
2.3   Any driver disqualified in any heat of the event is not eligible to compete in the remainder of the event.

3.1    The Event Marshal or Event -giving organization may disallow entry of any team or dog for just cause.
3.2.   Any team or dog coming to the starting line which, in the opinion of the Event Marshal or Event -giving organization, is unfit or incapable of safely completing the trail, shall be disqualified.
3.3.   Any team or dog not starting the first heat of the event shall not be eligible to compete in the remainder of the event.
3.4.   Any team or dog disqualified in any heat of the event is not eligible to compete in the remainder of the event.
3.5.   Eligibility of dogs is not restricted to certain breeds.

4.1.   No dog or equipment shall be brought from a kennel where rabies, distemper, hepatitis, Leptospirosis, biliary or any other contagious disease exists.
4.2.   Any dog present in the event area that has a contagious disease shall be disqualified and ordered to immediately leave the race area.

5. Identification.

5.1    In a stage event where the race will be held over more than one day the dogs approved by the Event Marshal or Event giving organization, will be clearly marked with color spray to be identified for the next day.

6. Medications administered to Dogs and Drivers

NA

7. Equipment

7.1. Inspection.

7.1.1. Drivers, teams and equipment shall be available for inspection in the vehicle holding area at least ten (10) minutes before their scheduled time of departure.
7.1.2. A team in harness shall not be required to stand for inspection longer than six (6) minutes before the scheduled time of departure.
7.1.3. Inspection shall take place in an area that does not interfere with teams in the start or finish chutes.
7.1.4. A team shall be available for inspection after each heat at the request of the Event Marshal.

7.2. All equipment is subject to the approval of the Event Marshal or Event-giving organization.

8. Other Equipment.

8.1. A muzzle or a collar that can be hooked as a full choke shall be forbidden.
8.2 Whips are forbidden.
8.3. A SAFSS bib number for each driver shall be provided by SAFSS. The driver shall display this number on his person throughout the event.

9. Finish Time Disqualification (Optional)

NA

II.    START - FINISH RULES

10. Drawing

10.1. The starting positions for the first heat of a event shall be determined by a drawing held prior to the event at a time and place designated by the event-giving organization.
10.2. The driver or designated proxy of each team shall draw their own starting position. In their absence the starting position shall be drawn by the Event Marshal or Event-giving organization or his representative.
10.3. The order of the draw shall not be changed, either by addition or substitution. Late entries shall be added in order of receipt.

11. Single Start Event

11.1. The first day’s starting positions shall be determined by the draw.
11.2. The second day’s starting positions shall be determined by the first day’s times, with the fastest teams starting last, the second fastest team starting second from last, etc.
11.3. In events of more than two heats,

11.3.1. The total elapsed time of the previous heats shall determine starting positions, with the fastest team starting last, the second fastest team starting second from last, etc.
11.3.2. Or, at the option of the Event-giving organization, the elapsed time of the previous single heat shall determine the starting positions with the fastest team starting first, the second fastest team starting second, etc.
11.3.3. If the optional start is to apply to the event, all entrants shall be notified prior to making entry, stating to which classes it shall apply.

12. Dual Start Event

NA

13. Equal Times

13.1. If the total elapsed time of two teams is identical, the order of start for those teams shall be the reverse order in which they started in the preceding heat.
13.2. Teams with equal times for the entire event shall be awarded the higher finishing position.

14. Starting Point and Time

14.1. The point where the front wheel touches the ground shall determine the starting point of the team.
14.2. Trail time for all teams shall begin at the originally scheduled time of departure.
14.3. A team that fails to be in the starting position at its scheduled starting time shall be declared a Late starting team.

14.3.1 A late-starting team shall not be allowed to start until after the last team in its class has started, and after the prescribed starting interval.
14.3.2. A late-starting team shall not interfere with any other team.
14.3.3. If more than one team is declared late, those teams shall start in the originally scheduled starting order after the last team in its class has started, and after the prescribed starting interval.
14.3.4. If a team is late to the starting line for its second scheduled time of departure for any one heat, that team shall be disqualified

15. A team not clearing the Starting Chute (minimum distance, 30 meters) prior to the scheduled start of the next team may be disqualified.|

16. Assistance in the Starting Chute

16.1 Unless otherwise specified by the Event Marshal prior to the start of the first heat of the event:

16.1.2. Any amount and type of assistance is allowed to a team prior to the actual starting time.
16.1.3 .Once a team’s starting time has commenced, only the chute judge or officials designated to help may assist in the chute.

17. Finish

17.1. A team shall have finished the heat when the first dog on the team crosses the finish line.
17.2. If a loose team crosses the finish line ahead of its driver, that team shall have finished when the driver reaches the finish line.
17.3. NA

III.    TRAIL RULES

18. Following the Trail

18.1. A team and driver shall run the full course as established by the Event-giving organization.
18.2. If a team leaves the trail, the driver shall return the team to the point at which they left the trail.
18.3. The trail shall be followed using marked as follows:

18.3.1. “Right Turn” shall be indicated by a red marker on the right side of the trail.
18.3.2. “Left Turn” shall be indicated by a red marker on the left side of the trail.
18.3.3. “Straight Ahead” shall be indicated by blue markers.
18.3.4. “Caution” shall be indicated by a yellow or orange marker.
18.3.5. The end of the Starting Chute (minimum length, 30 meters) shall be indicated by markers on both sides of the trail.
18.3.6. Arrowed boards are allowed provided they can not be tampered with to cause any damage to a team to leave the trail.

19. Driving a Team

19.1. Any driver accepting a ride during the event on any vehicle other than his own rig, shall be disqualified.
19.2. A driver shall not interfere with a competing team.
19.3. Carrying a passenger at any time during the event shall be prohibited unless:

19.3.1. Called for in the conditions of the event.
19.3.2. Giving a ride to a driver in an emergency situation.

20. Assistance on the Trail

20.1. All teams may receive similar assistance of any type from officials stationed at designated points along the trail as authorized by the Event Marshal.
20.2. Drivers running in the same heat may assist each other in any manner authorized by the Event Marshal.
20.3. Handler and spectator assistance shall be limited to holding the rig, except in the case of a loose team, or a team so unmanageable as to create a clear and present danger to themselves, other teams or persons.
20.4. No one shall assist a team by willfully pacing it.

21. Loose Team and Dogs

21.1. A loose team or dog(s) shall not delay or interfere with another team.
21.2. The driver shall overtake a loose team or dog on foot.
21.3. A loose team or dog may resume the trail without penalty provided the team/dog has completed the entire trail and the driver has received only authorized outside assistance.

21.3.1.     Authorized outside assistance is limited to holding a loose team or dog, once it has been stopped.
21.3.2. Any person(s) may (and is encouraged to) stop and hold a loose team or dog.

22. Right of Way

NA

23. Passing

23.1. When one team driver intends to pass another team, the passing team driver may request the right of way when the lead dog(s) come(s) within 15 meters of the rig of the overtaken team.
23.2. The overtaken team driver shall make way for the passing team by steering the rig to one side of the trail, slowing his team and, if demanded by the overtaking team driver, stopping and keeping the team from moving forward.
23.3. If the passing team becomes tangled or bunched up in the course of the pass, to allow time to untangle and tighten lines, that team’s driver may require the overtaken team driver to remain stopped for up to one (1) minute in Open Classes involving three (3) or more dogs, one half (0.5) minute in all other classes.
23.4. Once a team has been passed, that team shall not repass, so long as the driver in front is making an effort to keep his team moving forward until :

23.4.1. In Open Classes involving three (3) or more dogs, after less than four (2) minutes or 800 meters.
23.4.2.     At any lesser intervals whenever both drivers are in agreement.

23.5. After a pass has been completed, a team driver that has been passed need not hold his team while the other driver:

23.5.1. repairs gear, or
23.5.2. Unhooks and transfers a dog or dogs from one position in a team to another position in the team or
23.5.3. Goes off the race trail, before the above mentioned distance or time interval has elapsed. Loading a dog in the rig constitutes changing a dog’s position in the team.

23.6. A driver coming upon two or more teams stopped together, may pass all such teams. The stopped drivers shall make every effort to clear the trail for the moving team(s).
23.7. No driver shall interfere with a competing team.

IV.    CONDUCT

24. Responsibility and Sportsmanship

24.1. All drivers shall be responsible for the conduct of their dogs, their designated handler, and themselves whenever in the event area or on the trail.
24.2. Common sense and good sportsmanship shall prevail. If the Event Marshal determines that driver, handler or team conduct at any time in the event area or on the trail is detrimental to the sport/race, that team shall be disqualified.

25. Abuse of Dogs

25.1. Abuse of dogs, with or without an implement, shall be prohibited and constitutes immediate disqualification.
25.2. A Dog should at no time be behind the musher, this will be considered as Dragging a Dog

V.    RULES VIOLATIONS

26. Reports by Event Officials

26. 1      Event officials shall report obvious rule violations to the Event Marshal verbally in person immediately or directly following the heat in which the violation occurred. All verbal reports shall be followed with a written report, given to the Event Marshal within one (1) hour of the completion of the race official's duties for the race heats of that day.
26.2       The Event Marshal shall act, at his discretion, on any overt violations witnessed and reported by race officials.

27. Reports by Event Contestants

27.1. Drivers wishing to report an alleged violation of the rules by another contestant, shall notify the Event Marshal immediately following the heat in which the incident occurred. Notification may be verbal.
27.2. All verbal reports shall be followed with a written report, given to the Event Marshal within one (1) hour of the completion of the heat in which the alleged violation occurred.

28. Protests and Hearings

28.1. Any driver concerned in a report of an alleged violation of the rules will be notified of the protest by the Event Marshal and provided access to copies of the written protests as soon as they become available but in all cases before any hearings are conducted.
28.2. Said hearing shall be conducted by the Event Marshal.

29. Disciplinary Action

29.1. For violation of any IFSS & SAFSS Regulation, the Event Marshal shall either issue a verbal warning to the driver or disqualify the driver and team from the race.
29.2. No other disciplinary action shall be imposed.
29.3. Decisions shall be announced as promptly as practical but no later than four (4) hours prior to the start of any ensuing heat(s).
29.4. Any disciplinary action following the final heat of the event shall be acted upon prior to the awards ceremony.

30. The decisions of the Event Marshal shall be final unless promptly appealed to the SAFSS Board of Directors Appeals Jury.

31. Appeals Jury

31.1.   Any decision of the Event Marshal affecting a contestant's participation in the event may be appealed. Such appeal must be made as soon as practical following the official rendering of the decision. The appeal must be in writing, stating the alleged infraction, the decision reached, the penalty imposed and what the contestant believes to be incorrect or unfair. The appeal must be accompanied by an appeals fee of fifty (50) rand which will be refunded if the decision is overturned.
31.2.   The jury shall consist of either three or five members depending on the number of officials assigned to take part (either one or two appointed by the SAFSS President) on the jury.

31.2.1        The President shall designate which SAFSS official is to serve as the chair of the Appeals Jury.

31.3      The jury shall conduct a new and independent investigation into the allegations.
31.4    The jury will render a decision following secret deliberations. They may affirm, overturn or modify the decision of the Event Marshal in any way necessary to achieve a correct and just outcome
31.5    The jury will announce its decision as soon as possible so as not to interfere with the subsequent heats of the affected class.
  

CHAPTER TWO (SPECIAL RULES FOR CLASSES) 

I.   CLASSES

1.     Canicross, -  

a.    Classes

i.    Adults and junior classes, separate men and women classes except for the youngest Children. One dog, the same dog must be used each day.

b.          Distances

i.     3 km to 8 km each day.
ii.    Juniors, 1 km, 2 km, 4 km by ages.

 c.          Equipment:

i.     Lines are typically 2-3 meters long or as required for safety.

2.       One Dog Bikejoring, - Mechanical assistance and pedaling are allowed.

a.          Classes

i.      Adult classes only, with separate men and women classes. The same dog must be used each day.

b.          Distances

 i.       3-8 km each day.

c.          Equipment:

 i.       Any vehicle using two or more wheels with an accepted braking
device and minimum wheel diameter 30 cm (12") for each of two wheels.

d.          Safety

 i.       Helmets are required.
 ii.      Lines are typically 2-3 meters long, or as required for safety.

3.        Two Dog Bikejoring, - Mechanical assistance and pedaling are allowed.

a.          Classes

 i.       Adult classes only, with separate men and women classes. The same dog must be used each day.  Unless one is dropped

 b.          Distances

i.         3-20 km each day.

c.          Equipment:

i.         Any vehicle using two or more wheels with an accepted braking
device and minimum wheel diameter 30 cm (12") for each of two wheels.
ii.         Lines are typically 2-3 meters long, or as required for safety

d.          Safety

 i.         Helmets are required.

4.        One Dog Scooter

a.        Classes

 i.          Adults and juniors with men and women combined.
 ii.         The same dog must be used each day.

b.        Distances

 i.            3-8 km each day. Juniors, ca. 4 km.

c.        Equipment

i.            Any vehicle using a maximum of two wheels with an accepted braking
          device and minimum wheel diameter 30 cm (12") for each of two wheels.
ii.          Mechanical assistance such as for pedaling is not allowed.
iii.         This could be a scooter or bicycle with the chain disconnected, but a
          scooter would usually have a clear advantage in allowing pedaling most efficiently to help the dogs.
iv.          Lines are typically 2-3 meters long, or as required for safety.

d.        Safety

 i.            Helmets are required.

5.        Two Dog Scooter

a.        Classes

i.            Adult class only with men and women combined.
ii.          The same two dogs must be used each day unless one is dropped.

b.        Distances

 i.            3-10 km each day.

c.        Equipment:

 i.            Same as One Dog Scooter.

6.        3 - 8 Dog Cart

a.        Classes

 i.            Adult class only with men and women combined.
ii.            The same dogs must be used each day unless one is dropped.

b.        Distances

 i.            3 - 20km each day.

 c.        Equipment:

i.            Any vehicle using three or more wheels, minimum wheel diameter 30
cm (12") for each of three wheels, and an accepted braking device.
 ii.            The vehicle must consist A dog bag and the ability to carry a secured dog on the cart while the driver is riding. This means enough platform space for both the driver and a dog.

d.        Safety

 i.            Helmets are required.