NEW ZEALAND FEDERATION OF SLED DOG SPORTS

 

SPEED RACE RULES - PULKA CLASS

EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1994

 

 

Based on an undated version of the "Speed Race Rules" of the International Federation of Sled-Dog Sports.  This version was attached to a remit pasted at the February 1994 AGM of the New Zealand Federation of Sled-Dog Sports.

 

PART I - ENTRY RULES

 

A.            ELIGIBILITY

            1.        SIZE OF TEAMS

                       a. There is no limit to the number of dogs in a team.

                       b. After the first heat and each ensuing heat, a driver may voluntarily reduce the size of the team.

                       c. The Race Marshall may reduce the size of any team that he determines is too large for the designated driver.

                       d. The competitions are held in two classes:

                       i. Men.

                       ii. Women.

 

B.            EQUIPMENT

            1.        INSPECTION

                        a. Before and after each heat, the weight shall be controlled by the race officials.  The weighing procedure shall be announced prior to the race by the Race Marshall.

                       b. All entrants are themselves responsible for seeing that their equipment is controlled before and after each heat.

            2.        HITCHING OF TEAMS

                       a. All dogs shall be harnessed in single file.

            3.        PULKAS

                       a. The pulka shall be

                       i. connected with two solid shafts to the harness(es), so that it is not possible for the sled to overrun a harnessed dog.

                       ii. so constructed, that the front ends of the front runners are not exposed and cannot, therefore, endanger driver or dog (eg brushbow).

                       iii. equipped with the possibility of fastening the load securely.

                       iv. equipped with a snub line, which shall be attached to the driver during the race.

                       b. Pulkas of teams with more than two dogs shall be equipped with a brake.

            4.        OTHER EQUIPMENT

                       a. The total load to be carried consists of:

                       i. 20kg for one dog.

                       ii. 40kg for two dogs.

                       iii. 55kg for three dogs.

                       iv. For each additional dog 10kg more is to be added.

                       b. The total weight shall be reduced by 5kg per bitch in the team.

                       c. The load consists of polka, shafts, harness(es), lines and the additional weight.

                       d. The additional weight shall be furnished by the participant himself.

 

PART II - TRAIL RULES

 

A.       DRIVING A TEAM

            1.        The driver shall follow the team on skis.

            2.        If a dog becomes unfit, the driver is not permitted to finish the heat.

B.            ASSISTANCE ON THE TRAIL

            1.        The driver is not allowed to pace the dog(s) by running ahead of them, except on downhill slopes.  Assisting the dog or team by pulling or pushing the pulka is permitted.