The Sandwich Notch Races

SPONSOR: YANKEE SIBERIAN HUSKY CLUB, INC.

RACE SPONSOR: NATIONAL DOG FOOD SN 60

RACE MARSHAL: GEORGE COOK

RFD #1, DONKIN HILL RD., ASHLAND, NH 03217

PHONE (603) 968-7706

RACE CHAIRMAN: SANDRA FLANAGAN

9 FAIRFIELD DR., HAMPTON, NH 03842

PHONE/ FAX: (603) 929-3508

RACE SECRETARY: RHONDA HENDRY O’HEARN

274 FREMONT RD., SANDOWN, NH 03873

PHONE (603) 887-7137, FAX (419) 791-5907

START/FINISH: SANDWICH FAIRGROUNDS, RT. 109/113

CENTER SANDWICH, NH

DATE/TIME: FEBRUARY 17, 2001 AT 9:00AM

8-DOG CLASS - 60 MILE TRAIL - at least 6 dogs to start, must finish with at least 3 dogs

6-DOG CLASS - 30 MILE TRAIL - at least 5 dogs to start, must finish with at least 3 dogs

1 or 2-DOG SKIJOR CLASS - 15 MILE TRAIL - at most 2 dogs to start, must finish with at least 1 dog.

CANCELLATION POLICY

THE COMMITTEE WILL ADHERE TO A DEFINITIVE WEDNESDAY NIGHT CANCELLATION POLICY

CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS: SANDRA FLANAGAN (603) 929-3508 CHAIRMAN

after Thursday contact me at (603) 323-7745

GEORGE COOK (603) 968-7706 RACE MARSHALL

RHONDA O’HEARN (603) 887-7137 RACE SECRETARY

PAUL KIRSCH (603) 367-8676 TRAIL CREW

WEB SITE: http://www.thomashuse.com/siberian.html

SANDWICH NOTCH RACE RULES

This race is held under standard cross country rules

Some of the following rules may be Sandwich Notch Race specific.

I. NUMBER OF DOGS REQUIRED

(a) You will start with no more than eight (8) dogs in the 60 mile race and no more than six (6) dogs in the 30 mile race. You will finish with no less than three (3) dogs in both the 60 & 30 mile races. The skijoring race is a one (1) or two (2) dog race.

(b) No dog may be added after the start of the race.

(d) All dogs will have been Vet checked prior to the race. If a dog (dogs ) is determined unfit or incapable of completing the course the dog will be disqualified from running. (the Chief Vet has the final say). At this time only another dog may be added to replace the dog or dogs that have been disqualified. The dog or dogs must have met all vaccination requirements and be deemed fit to run. This must take place in a timely fashion so as not to hold up the race.

II. MINIMUM AGE OF DRIVERS

Minimum is 18 years of age. Exception (14 -17 years old) must contact the chairman for approval by the board 1 week prior to the race and must have expressed written consent of legal parent or guardian. He/ She must also have run at least one 30 mile prequalifying race and finished. There is no prequalifying race for the skijoring race.

III. LIABILITY

By participating in the National Dog Food Sandwich Notch 60 Race, the Sandwich Notch 30 Race, or the Sandwich Notch Skijor Race each musher shall hold the race giving organization, (Yankee Siberian Husky Club, its members and board), the sponsor and or any other contributors (i.e. the sponsors and contributors to the race giving organization as distinguished from the sponsor of the individual musher), harmless against any claims based on alleged actions or inaction by the musher, his dogs, agents or others acting on his behalf. If the liability disclaimer is not signed on the application page then the musher will not be allowed to participate in the race and his entry will be refunded.

IV. ELIGIBILITY OF DOGS AND TEAMS

No dog shall be brought from a kennel where hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, kennel cough or other contagious diseases exist. No equipment or clothing shall be brought if it has come in contact with a dog having a contagious disease.

V. PRE RACE VET CHECK

There will be a pre race vet check and all drivers must make available to the Vet, for all dogs in attendance at the race, certificates of rabies inoculation signed by a licensed veterinarian, or a letter of kennel inoculation signed by a licensed veterinarian on his business stationary, stating that the entire kennel has been inoculated. The rabies certificate must specify the expiration and duration (1 or 3 years).

Distemper, the same as above or in the case a kennel owner administers his/her own distemper vaccinations a current receipt for the vaccine. The Distemper must have been administered within the year.

If a musher uses nosodes or other alternative methods of vaccination then letter from their veterinarian and a signature on a waiver form will be required.

Please bring copies of your inoculation certificates with you to the vet check!

VI. MEDICATIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

(a) Prohibited drugs include, stimulants, depressants, local anesthetics , anti-inflammatory drugs, central nervous system stimulants, cough suppressants, diuretics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, indictable anti-cholinergics, antihistamines and steroids.

(b) Permitted drugs are those deemed not harmful to the dog and to the sport including,, antibiotics and antibacterial.

(d) The race giving organization will require that all dogs undergo a vet check prior to the start and at any time during the race that it is deemed necessary by a licensed veterinarian.

(e) The race giving organization is responsible for notifying contestants of the time and place of this exam.

(f) Any musher who fails to have his dogs examined will not be permitted to run the race and his entry fee will be refunded.

(g) At team’s exam the certification or letter of acknowledgment or receipt from a vet or pharmaceutical manufacturer regarding vaccination for rabies and distemper will be requested and required. (See V.) If a musher uses nosodes or other alternative methods of vaccination then letter from their veterinarian and a signature on a waiver form will be required. Failure to present such documentation will necessitate disqualification at the Race Marshal’s discretion.

VII. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT LIST

(a) Drivers, teams and equipment shall be available for inspection in the holding area at the time of the vet checks. (Times to be announced at the mushers’ meeting.).

(b) Sleds must be capable of adequately carrying the driver, a dog and required equipment.

(d) Bib numbers must be clearly visible on the musher or the sled at all times during the race.

(e) All lead dogs and sleds must have reflective material clearly visible on both sides.

(f) The following are mandatory:

1. Sled bag	9. Food for driver
2. Reflective tape on sled & harnesses	10. One (1) pound food per dog
3. Snowshoes	11. Fire starting equipment or stove
4. Sleeping bag	12. Ax or hand saw (no cable saws)
5. First -aid kit	13. Min. 2 Qt. pan to melt snow in
6. Headlamp	14. At least 2 sets of booties (8) required
7. Knife be carried	15. Cable Cutters (for cable ganglines)
8. Extra collar & harness

VIII. PROHIBITED

(a) Muzzles, full choke collars and whips of any kind.

(b) The RACE MARSHAL has the exclusive right to search the Musher and or his sled at any time he has reasonable suspicion that any of the above are being used. Refusal to submit to this request results in suspension from the race with no refund.

IX. STARTING PROCEDURE

(a) Starting position shall be determined by a draw which will be held at the drivers meeting.

(b) The order of the draw will be based upon the receipt of the entry form and entry fee.

(d) The Race Marshal may draw for an absent (with reason) musher.

(e) Bib numbers must be visible at all times prior to the start of the race. This will be necessary to facilitate the Vets and checkers.

X. TRAIL PROCEDURE

(a) A driver may ride, run, pedal or snowshoe as and when he wishes.

(b) Abuse of a dog with or without an instrument is prohibited.

(d) If a musher becomes incapacitated on the trail or at anytime during the race a substitute is not permitted to finish the race competitively, however a substitute may finish the race, if the musher requests, for dog conditioning only.

(e) All dogs must be hitched in the team or to the sled or carried in the sled. NO loose leaders will be permitted.

(f) All injured, fatigued or sick dogs must be dropped off at the checkpoint only.

(g) Any dropped dog must be marked by the checkpoint official.

XI. RULES OF TRAIL

(a) Team and driver must follow the route designated by the race giving organization. The only exception is if a musher cannot find the trail due to weather closing it or other acts of God, he may proceed on to the next checkpoint the best way he can as long as he does not shorten the length of the trail traveled, i.e. cutting off a loop in the trail or taking a known shorter route than laid out is grounds for disqualification and/or sanctions by the race committee.

(b) No litter of any kind may be left on the trail.

(d) No switching of dogs between teams will be permitted after the race has started.

(e) Two or more teams may not in any way be tied together.

(f) The Race Marshal and or the Veterinarian will have absolute authority over the dog teams. Their judgment as to withdrawal of a dog or dogs from the race or any other condition relative to dog care on the trail is final.

(g) No dog may be added after the start of the race.

(h) The race official may detain any team for the purpose of repair or replacement of equipment, if in that official’s opinion such equipment may be injurious to the dogs or driver.

(I) No musher may, without permission, tamper with another musher’s dogs, dog food or gear.

(j) No musher may receive any dog food from any source between check points unless an emergency is declared by the Race Marshal.

(k) Mushers may assist each other between check points.

(l) Mushers will not accept assistance from any type of motorized vehicle.

(m) Mushers will not permit any of their dogs to be carried by another team or vehicle unless checked out of the race by a race official.

(n) Outside assistance will be permitted if in the musher’s opinion his team is out of control and it is requested by him/her. A race official must be notified of such a situation if this occurred on the trail to have a ruling made to make sure no race rule infractions have been committed.

(o) No pacing of a team by vehicle, another team not in the race, or person other than the musher will be permitted.

(p) Any driver who voluntarily withdraws, or is disqualified by the Race Marshal, shall proceed to the nearest checkpoint and make the fact known to a race official. Failure to do this will result in a double entry fee in any future racing opportunities with this organization.

XII. PASSING

(a) An overtaking team has the right of way over a preceding team when the overtaking team comes within fifty feet (50ft.) of the team ahead.

(b) Under these conditions the preceding team must make way for the overtaking team and bring his team to a FULL STOP IF REQUESTED TO DO SO.

(1) After four minutes or one mile (1mi.).

(2) At any time both teams agree.

(d) A passing musher with a tangled team as the result of the pass, may request the following driver to wait no longer than one minute.

(e) Teams following shall maintain an interval of at least one team’s length.

XIII. CUT OFF TIME

(a) The musher must be through check point 3 by 9:00 PM.

XIV. HANDLERS

(a) Handlers are permitted but no more than one vehicle at a checkpoint.

(b) Handlers may not assist a driver or team on the trail.

XV. CONDUCT

(a) Drivers are responsible for the conduct of their dogs and handlers.

(b) Unsportsman like conduct and belligerence WILL NOT BE TOLERATED and are grounds for protests.

XVI. PROTESTS

(a) The race giving organization will provide to each driver upon request a form to be completed by the musher registering a complaint of observed violations of the race rules.

(b) The official protest will be submitted to the RACE MARSHAL.

(d) In case of a protest the concurred parties may request a hearing, such a hearing will be granted by the Race Marshal at his discretion prior to the awards ceremony.

(e) When a protest is filed against another musher, he may finish the race and the final decision on disqualification or time penalty will be made when the race is over.

XVII. DISCIPLINARY ACTION

(a) The Race Marshal may impose a warning or disqualification or time penalty for an infraction of the race rules or upon the recommendation of the Chief Veterinarian. The decision of the Race Marshal is final.

MANDATORY DRIVERS’ MEETING

The meeting will be held at 7:30 P.M. Friday February 16th at the Sandwich Central School, Bean Road, Center Sandwich, NH (within walking distance of the Corner House Inn). No bib numbers can be drawn for anyone who has not submitted a paid entry form.

MANDATORY VET CHECKS

We have a mandatory vet check for all teams. We feel that this is important for the welfare of our dogs and to promote a safe race for our canine athletes. The 60 mile vet check will be Friday night starting at 3:00 PM at the Fire House. The 30 mile & skijor vet check will be Sat. morning starting at 8:00 AM at the fairgrounds. 30 mile & skijor teams can be checked Fri. night after the 60 mile teams, time permitting.

The forms that you will need to fill out will be provided at the vet check. Notify the vet at the vet check if there are any dogs with medical conditions.

ENTRIES

The fee for the 60 mile race is $65.00. The fee for the 30 mile race is $35.00 The fee for the Skijor race is $20.00 (payable in U.S. funds to Sandwich Notch 60). Entries must be received at the address of the Race Secretary by the Wednesday before the race. Late entries accepted until the drivers’ meeting only. There will be a $15.00 late fee if you register at the drivers’ meeting.

Your cooperation is requested in sending your entry in by the deadline!

TROPHIES & PRIZES

Guaranteed minimum purse of $ 4,000.00 paid to the 25th place for the SN60. There will be trophies for the first 3 finishers, trophies for the top AKC/CKC registered teams (all breed) proof of registration required at time of entry (example of acceptable proof is photocopy of registration/litter registration, etc.) and merchandise prizes. SN30 and Skijor race have trophies & prizes only at this time.

TRAIL

The trail is comprised of unplowed, untreated town roads, forest trails and snowmobile corridor trails. All of the trails will be packed by snowmobile at a width sufficient to allow safe passing. Unrestricted assistance will be allowed at the five road crossings. The trail has been arranged to facilitate most road crossings in daylight hours. The terrain is, at times, hilly or even mountainous and is very scenic. Trail maps will be available at the drivers’ meeting.

This trail is a historic one for sled dogs. We will be retracing many of the routes that connected to Chinook Kennels, where Eva and Milton Seeley trained sled dogs for the Byrd expeditions, for race and for World War II. We will be passing Wonalancet Farm on our way to Tamworth and crossing roads once packed for the 1923 - 1926 Boston - Montreal Race in which famous drivers such as Leonhard Seppala competed.

DRIVERS’ NOTE

Cross-country racing is meant to be a challenge for drivers and team against nature. While we provide a packed, marked trail, and emergency personnel for our event, it is the driver’s responsibility to handle himself and his team in what amounts to almost natural conditions. The prepared driver will be physically and mentally fit. He will have a good knowledge of winter survival techniques, carry and use the proper cold weather gear and supplies. He will be familiar with night driving and be prepared for inclement weather, including snowfall, which may require trail breaking or camping. If we all take these aspects of cross-country racing seriously, we will all go home with good memories.

BIB DEPOSIT

We require a $20.00 bib deposit when you pick up your bib on Friday night. We have increased the bib deposit due to some bibs not being returned. The deposit is returned to you at the Sunday morning awards ceremony when you return your bib.