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CAPE TOWN SLEDDING
Safety Rules
"For the dogs…by the mushers…"

General
All mushers must stay informed of the international updates of all aspects regarding the safety of dog sledding equipment.

Not all dog sledding equipment is the same for the different disciplines, therefore mushers should pay close attention to what is allowed and
what not as not compliance can results in disqualification on the starting line.

CONDITIONS
Distances
Canicross : Minimum of 2,5 km - Maximum of 4 km
1-dog bike class : Minimum of 2 km - Maximum of 10 km
1-dog scooter class : Minimum of 2 km - Maximum of 8 km
2-dog scooter class : Minimum of 2 km - Maximum of 8 km
4-dog class : Minimum of 4 km - Maximum of 8 km
6-dog class : Minimum of 5 km - Maximum of 10 km
8-dog class : Minimum of 5 km - Maximum of 12 km

Temperatures
The temperature shall be controlled during the whole race.
A thermometer shall be installed in the shade near the starting area at 50 cm above the ground.

The normal temperature:
For canicross races is below 14 degrees C.
For bikejoring, scooter and team races is below 10 degrees C

The critical temperature allowing to held only the minimum recommended conditions & distances:
Canicross : 14 degrees C to 18 degrees C : Minimum 2,5km
Bikejoring : 12 degrres C to 16 degrees C : Minimum 2,0km
Scooter : 12 degrees C to 16 degreesC : Minimum 2,0km
Team : 12 degrees C through 16 degrees C : 4-dogs minimum of 4 km
6 to 8 dogs minimum of 5 km.

If above the critical temperatures the events or classes concerned to be cancelled.

Depending on the event trail (i.e. large section under the sun) the Race Marshal may impose shorter distances even if the maximum
temperatures above are not reached.

AGE OF DOGS

Canicross and Teams:
At least 12 months old on the first day of the competition.

Bikejoring and Scooter:
At least 18 months old on the first day of the competition.

AGE OF COMPETITORS
The age of a competitor is considered the same during a racing season.
It is the age the competitor reaches on the 31 December following the end of the racing season.

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B. Harnesses:

There are a number of different harnesses available on the market, such as:
" back
" Split Chest X back
Other:
" Distance harness

No home made harnesses will be approved or permitted.

In the scooter, bikejoring and canicross classes it is strongly recommended that only a distance harness to be used. This harness have
proven to be a better choice for these disciplines than the X back harness. The line angle between the dog and the bicycle/scooter & runner is
steeper than the line angle for instance between a dog team and a cart/rig. When the line is connected to a x-back harness, the steeper angle
will cause a lifting force on the harness. the design of the Distance Harness creates a flatter angle and the dogs pull force is more evenly
distributed.

C. CHOCK ABSORBER (Bungee Rope)
A shock absorber shall be used by all mushers for all classes without any exceptions.

The shock absorber is a string or strings of elastic cord(s) in a housing, normally either webbing, ski rope or canvas sleeve. The bungees
differ from one dog to team classes. The rule of thumb is that when dogs are pulling on a flat section, the bungee must still not be fully
extended. The use of the bungee is to protect your dogs and in no instance shall a musher be allowed to start unless he/she has a bungee on
the gangline.

The general rule is that for each dog on the gangline, the musher should have one elastic string in the bungee. Two dogs, two elastic strings,
8 dogs, 8 elastic strings etc.

D. BOOTIES
All mushers shall have a pair of booties for every dog in the team. Booties should not be fitted long before the event would start, as the dog
will remove them. It would be best to fit them on the start line as this is the time the dogs is excited and will not focus on the booties.

E. EQUIPMENT

CANICROSS

" The dog shall be attached to the runner with a snub line, with a bungee at all times.
" The snub line shall be attached to the runner by a hip musher belt (at least 7cm wide and carried over the spine).
" It is prohibited to have any form of metal hook or ring at the runner's end of the line. The snub line shall not exceed 2,5m in length in a resting
position.
" The competitor, shall wear good running shoes usually used for cross country running and will not be permitted to wear shoes which could
be dangerous to dogs (i.e shoes with metal spikes)
" Neutral clothes shall be warned with no writing on it, except for writing or logos of a personal or event sponsor.

BIKEJORING (1 dog)
" The dog shall be attached to the bicycle or to the cyclist with a snub line, with a bungee at all times.
" If attached to the bicycle, the snub line shall not exceed 2,5m in length in a resting position in front of the bicycle. If attached to the cyclist, it
should be with a hip musher belt (at least 7cm wide and carried over the spine) - same length of 2,5m meters apply.
" It is prohibited to have any form of metal hook or ring at the cyclists end of the line.
" The bicycle shall be equipped with an efficient brake system on each wheel. No form of mudguards will be permitted.

" The competitor, shall wear cycling clothes, cycling gloves, cycling shoes, a cycling helmet approved by SABS standards, In the event of
using "clipless" pedals proper cycling shoes to be worn otherwise a good quality cross country running shoes will suffice.
" Boots and overalls will not be permitted.
" Neutral clothes shall be warned with no writing on it, except for writing or logos of a personal or event sponsor.

SCOOTER (1 or 2 dogs)
" The dog shall be attached to the scooter snub line, with a bungee at all times.
" The snub line shall not exceed 2,5m in length in a resting position in front of the scooter.
" The scooter shall be equipped with an efficient brake system on each wheel. No form of mudguards will be permitted.
" The minimum wheel diameter on both wheels shall be 30cm.
" The competitor, shall wear cycling clothes or a snug fit tracksuit, cycling gloves, cycling shoes, a cycling helmet approved by SABS
standards, a good quality cross country running shoes. The idea is to wear clothes that are functional yet lightweight.
" Boots and overalls will not be permitted.
" Neutral clothes shall be warned with no writing on it, except for writing or logos of a personal or event sponsor.

TEAM CLASSES (RIGS)
" The dog shall be harnessed in single or double line.
" All dogs shall be fastened to the tug line by a neck line attached to a collar and a tail line attached to the harness. The tug line must be
attached to a bungee attached to the rig.
" The rig in a 4-dog class may either have three (3) or four (4) wheels.
" The rig in classes exceeding 4-dogs (6-dog, 8-dog or unlimited shall have four (4) wheels.
" All rigs as mentioned above, shall be equipped with an efficient brake system on each wheel. No form of mudguards will be permitted.
" The minimum wheel diameter on both wheels shall be 30cm.
" All rigs to have a locking brake system.
" The musher, shall wear cycling gloves and a helmet approved by SABS standards.
" Clothing should include a pair of lightweight boots, a pair of jeans with a sweater or as traditionally accepted in S.A a "jumpsuit". It is
important to dress warm as these teams normally stay out longer and in many cases the musher is less active behind his team as in other
classes.
" Neutral clothes shall be warned with no writing on it, except for writing or logos of a personal or event sponsor.

Recommended minimum weight for carts/rigs:
4-dog class: 25Kg

6-dog class: 35Kg

8-dog class: 45Kg