Competition rules

Bokami Západných Tatier is a three-day ski mountaineering stage race for teams in the Western Tatras.
The course of the race is guided along a marked track and consists of ascents and descents either on skis, on foot or using other technical (climbing) gear.
The stages are demanding and require excellent knowledge of movement and orientation in the terrain as well as excellent technical skill in using climbing equipment in both winter and summer conditions.
Each participant must be physically fit and technically equipped enough to complete these stage races.

Categories:

Men team (18-39 years)
Women team (over 18 years)
Veterans team (over 40 years)
Juniors U16-U20 (from 15 to 20 years old)

Participants must be at least 15 years old on the first day of the race. Those under 18 years of age must have written consent from a legal guardian and present a valid medical certificate from a sports physician (general practitioner certificates are not acceptable).

To compete in the Veterans category, both participants must be at least 40 years old on the first day of the race. Mixed pairs (man + woman) will compete in the Men or Veterans category, as applicable.

Individual's gear:

Skis with steel edges along the entire length of the ski and a minimum width of 60 mm. The basic length of the skis must not be shorter than 160 cm for men and 150 cm for women. The length may be shorter but must not be below 90% of the competitor's height. Minimum weight per ski with binding: for men/women, U18 -780g/730g.
Bindings must allow both walking and descending and include brakes (mandatory). Missing brakes incur a penalty of 15 minutes per stage (the brakes must be “activated”).
Ski boots, high enough to cover the ankles, with rubber soles (min. 80% of the sole area with a minimum grip of 4 mm). It must be possible for the he ski boots to be firmly fastened with climbing irons/crampons. Minimum weight per ski: for men/women, U18 - 500g/450g.
A pair of telescopic ski mountaineering or cross-country ski poles with a maximum diameter of 25 mm and a ring on the end (no steel rings).
2 pairs of skins
Clothing:
Lower body: Two layers (race clothing and windproof layer).
Upper body: Three layers (race clothing, warm long-sleeved layer like fleece, and windproof long-sleeved layer).
Gloves and a cap (multifunctional caps allowed).
Helmet: EN 12492 and EN 1077 Class B standards compliant, mandatory throughout the race
Goggles with UV filter (sunglasses, ski goggles ...) or a transparent visor
Avalanche beacon: shall be operational and equipped with a standard 457 kHz search and transmit function with a minimum of 3-antennas, housed in a zipped internal pocket or designated case. Each competitor must have the avalanche device firmly attached to the body and concealed under layers of clothing. The competitor must keep the avalanche device on throughout the race. If a competitor discovers during the race that his avalanche device is not working, he must report this to the next control. The Organizer together with the Chief referee will decide on the following continuation of the competitor / A competitor with a malfunctioning avalanche device may not continue in the race As this is a 3-day race it is recommended to have spare batteries with you
Aluminum avalanche shovel: dimensions min. 20 x 20 cm with a handle and a total length of min. 50 cm and must be certified by the manufacturer. The avalanche shovel must not be modified, the competitor is responsible for its functionality.
Avalanche probe with a length of min. 2.40m
Backpack with the possibility of fixing skis, poles, ice axe, size of min. 20 l, with a compartment for crampons and must have the possibility of fixing two pairs of skis independently.
Aluminium foil (minimum 1.8 m2)
First aid kit - 1 pc sterile dressing, 1 pc elastic bandage, 1 pc three-horn bandage
Sufficient fluids
Compass or GPS device
Mobile phone with a charged battery
Map of the area where the stage leads
Whistle
Climbing ice axe with min. length 50 cm with UIAA certificate
A pair of climbing crampons with a minimum of 10 spikes, two of which must be in the front, of the exact size for the competitor's ski without modification and with safety straps. The climbing irons must be UIAA certified. If the climbing irons are not used by the racer, they must be stored in the backpack with the spikes facing each other
UIAA certified climbing harness without modifications and adjustments
2 pcs sling according to UIAA rules, min. length 1 meter (circumference 2m), 2 pcs mountaineering carabiners with min. load capacity 22 kN UIAA or Via ferrata set UIAA 128 certified with certified carabiners UIAA 121
1 pcs Prusik knot

The Organizer reserves the right to determine what equipment will be used during the race. Organizer also reserves the right to refuse or require replacement of equipment if it is faulty or unsuitable. The Organiser may change the use of equipment during a stage according to the nature of the course, even if the competitors have not been informed of this before the start. The competitor is responsible for his/her own equipment and must ensure that it is functional and in accordance with the rules. At the finish of each stage the competitors' equipment is checked. All material must be certified by the Manufacturer.

Equipment provided by the Organizer:

The Organizer will provide starting numbers, which must not be damaged or altered in such a way as to reduce their legibility
Competitors must have their bib numbers prominently displayed on their backpacks
The Organizer may provide electronic equipment (chip, etc.), which will be used as a timekeeper and at the same time will be used to check the results of the race
Other material not included in the official rules and requested by the Organizer must be provided by the Organizer

Safety:

Each competitor starts at his own risk! Follow the instructions of the organizers at all times!
Each competitor is obliged to sign a declaration at the presentation that his/her health condition is suitable for the load required by the ski mountaineering event.
Each competitor is obliged to familiarize himself with the Competition Rules and by participating in the event expresses his agreement with the Competition Rules in their entirety
Each competitor is obliged to have a phone contact to the race Organizer stated in the regulations
In addition to mountain insurance, we recommend that every competitor also take out insurance for participation in an organized ski mountaineering sports event
Helmet, crampons, ice axes, carabiner, climbing harness, sling and Prusik knot are technical aids, the non-use of which on the track in the parts where their use is determined by the Organizer is a violation of safety rules.
When the competitor arrives at the stand with skis or poles (hereinafter referred to as equipment) attached to the backpack, the competitor is obliged to put the equipment on the ground, and only then can he/she continue his/her preparation at the stand. Failure to do so is a violation of the safety rules.
Precise information about the important landmarks will be given during the explalnation of the route/stage. The Race Director decides which equipment must be used for safety reasons (crampons, etc.). The Race Director and the Control station Managers may order all competitors to put on windproof clothing in the event of bad weather.

Time limits

Time limits may be set at the discretion of the Organizer at each stage. In the event of a change in weather conditions, the Organiser may change the time limits during the stage. If the time limit is not met, competitors must withdraw from the stage. Meeting the time limit is understood as both competitors leaving the checkpoint where the time limit was set. No protest can be lodged against time limits.
Time limits are set for the optimal stay of the competitors and the Organizers on the course. At the BOKAMI race, there will be designated places in each stage where the times of the competitors (pairs) will be monitored. In the given places, it is necessary to meet the time limit (so called STOP TIME). After the time limit has been fulfilled, the competitor (pair) has the right to continue the stage. If the pair fails to meet the STOP TIME, they will have to withdraw from the stage and take the shortest route (determined by the Organizer) to the finish. Competitors (pairs) who do not meet the STOP TIME will have their number withdrawn at this control and will be disqualified from further stages of the race.
STOP TIME is determined as the time gap from the first pair with the index set by the organizer before the stage.

The index for calculating the STOP TIME is set by the organizer either uniform for the whole race or separately for each stage. The index may be set separately for each category of competitors. STOP TIME with the same rule and index may also apply for crossing the finish line of each stage.
Example of STOP TIME calculation: the index for a stage will be set e.g., to 1.7. The first pair arrives at the control in 1 hour. Then the STOP TIME is calculated: the time of the first pair is 1hr, i.e., 60min x 1.7 is 102 min, i.e., 1hr: 42 min, so the maximum time for the continuation of the race is for the respective pair to pass the checkpoint in 1hr: 42 min.

In case of adverse weather conditions, the Organizer may shorten or cancel the race or stage. Shortening or cancellation of a race or stage may also occur during the duration of the stage as specified by the Organiser on the course. No protest may be lodged against these decisions of the Organizer.

Inspection of prescribed equipment:

Competitors are obliged to check the functionality of avalanche devices and the battery charge of mobile phones at least 20 minutes before the start of the stage in the start area of the start.
The competitors are obliged upon arrival at the finish line of the stage to undergo a check of the prescribed mandatory equipment in the stage at the premises of the finish line of the stage at the invitation of the Organizer.
The Organizer reserves the right to make an exceptional check of the mandatory equipment during the stage in case of deteriorating weather conditions or before entering the extreme parts of the stage. The time during this check will be deducted from the total stage time.

Results:
after each stage the Organizer evaluates the intermediate results of the race. After the last stage, the Organizer will issue unofficial results and after 15 minutes, which are allowed for any protests, the Organizer will issue official results. The winner is the pair with the shortest time in the sum of the individual stage times. Disqualification in one stage means disqualification in the whole race.

Competitor's behaviour:

It is the competitor's responsibility to be well prepared for the race, both in terms of health and fitness. The competitor must know and follow the rules of the race, as well as follow the instructions of the organizer
Team members must leave each checkpoint together (i.e. before crossing the line both competitors must have finished handling the material), each competitor must have his/her own backpack with the mandatory equipment on it for the entire duration of the race, except skis. A teammate may carry his/her partner's skis.
Pulling on a rope or elastic band is prohibited during the first 15 minutes of the race, descents, or other sections as designated by the Organizer.
The maximum possible interval between competitors is 30 seconds in the climb, 10 seconds in the descent and 5 seconds at the finish (can be controlled anywhere during the race).
At the finish the time of the second of the pair is measured
Changing skins and other operations must be carried out in the area marked by the Control
Carrying sticks tucked behind overalls and the like is not permitted.
A competitor who lingers shall immediately give way to a competitor who shouts "Stopa".
A competitor who has problems (technical, health, fitness) may abandon the race of his own free will or be eliminated from the race by the Control members or one of the doctors. In case of an injury, competitors may continue the race after the injury has been treated, provided that the Race Organiser allows the competitor to continue the race
When one member of a team abandons the race, the other member of the team will follow the instructions of the Organizer
All competitors are obliged to come to help to a person in danger (injury, impairment, avalanche, etc.), provided that this does not endanger themselves or others. The Organizer will take into account the time spent providing assistance
No external help is allowed. Outside help will be penalized. Help is only allowed between competitors. External assistance does not include first aid and external assistance does not include the replacement of damaged parts of equipment such as poles, crampons, skis with bindings to such an extent that they do not allow the competitor to continue in the race.
Competitors who have replaced damaged equipment during a stage are obliged to inform the next track control of this fact, otherwise they will be penalized as for accepting external assistance.
The competitor must not litter on the track! He can only hand the garbage to the control!
Any failure to comply with the rules of conduct that is reported to the Race jury or observed directly shall be judged according to the rules and will be dealt with by the jury with possible penalties that may change the ranking due to the failure to comply with discipline

Stopping the race:

If the race has to be stopped at the Organizers' discretion, the placings will be decided on the basis of the times and points scored at the last check.
If some competitors have already passed this control and the conditions for the race were satisfactory: competitors will be stopped at the next control, (or at the finish if there is no control in the meantime). Placing will be decided first by arrival at the checkpoint and then by the order of finish at the previous check.
In the event that some competitors passed this check even though the conditions were no longer suitable (avalanches, bad weather, insufficient course markings), the position will be determined by the time at the last check

Doping:

Doping is strictly forbidden!

Disqualification and penalties:

Missing brakes on binding = 15 penalty minutes.
Any other missing or incomplete part of the equipment at the control or at the finish line = 3 penalty min.
An incomplete team leaving the checkpoint will incur a penalty ranging from 5 penalty minutes to disqualification.
At each station, the competitor must place both poles on the ground and may only pick them up again after completing any equipment handling. Non-compliance results in a penalty of 1 minute.
Acceptance of external help: material, help on climbs or descents, acceptance of refreshments from other persons during the stage except refreshments provided by the Organizer, other manoeuvres = from 5 min to disqualification. External assistance does not include first aid, replacement of damaged or broken poles, crampons and skis with bindings to the extent that they do not allow the competitor to continue in the race, refreshments provided by the organiser and mutual assistance of competitors
Failure to report at the next track control the replacement of damaged or non-functioning poles, climbing irons and skis with bindings to such an extent that they do not allow the competitor to continue in the race = 5 min
Leaving material or rubbish outside the checkpoint = from 5 min to disqualification
Disregard of the organizer's orders and failure to use the mandatory equipment at the designated places = from 3 min to disqualification
Failure to respect course markings = from 5 min to disqualification.
Failure to follow fair-play rules = from 3 min to disqualification.
Missing skis, helmet, boots, avalanche device/off, missing, not working/ = disqualification
Serious endangerment of nature = disqualification
If the competitor fails the Control check = disqualification
Failure to comply with safety rules = disqualification
Any action directly endangering or endangering safety, failure to administer first aid during the race = disqualification
In case of repeated violation of the rules, the Organizer may disqualify the competitor

PROTESTS:

All protests must be submitted in written form to the organizers (main referee) no later than 10 minutes after the publication of the results. The time of the results' announcement must be communicated in advance by the organizers. The organizer will issue a written decision within the following hour. Discussions will take place at a location designated by the organizers. All objections must be accompanied by a fee of €50, which will not be refunded in the case of an unfavorable outcome. Protests must be submitted individually for each team. A protest must be resolved within a maximum of one hour.

In Žiarska dolina, March 2025, Organizing Committee

BOKAMI ZÁPADNÝCH TATIER