updated March 12, 2008

The Federation for Sport at Altitude, in accordance with the Dolomites SkyRace Committee, the Val di Fassa Tourist Office and Trentino SpA, will host /hold the third SkyGames® in Italy from July 17 to 20, 2008.
The title, assigned to the Autonomous Province of Trento, is as follows:
2008 TRENTINO SKYGAMES®
“The high altitude Olympics”
Val di Fassa, Trentino, Italy.

Articles

1.1 RACE PROGRAMME

The SkyGames® are composed of four different disciplines programmed in order of difficulty to enable participants to choose three (or all four) races. World titles will be assigned to each discipline and a SkyGames® Champion title, based on the combination of the best of three of the four disciplines.
The races:
• Vertical Kilometer® (1,000m ascent over 2,1 km distance with over 30% incline)
• SkyBike® (16 km duathlon combining MTB and skyrunning up to 3.250m altitude)
• SkySpeed® (100m vertical climb – an uphill race with a 45% incline)
• SkyRace® (22 km skyrunning race with over 2,000m vertical climb up to 3,152m altitude)
• SkyGames® (combined title of any three out of four races)
The sequence of the races may be changed due to organizers’ decision and/or weather conditions.

1.1. RACE FEATURES

The course terrain is typically alpine at altitudes between 1,400m and 3,300m. The courses are on trail, ski runs and mountaineering routes (not in excess of 2° grade and 45 % incline. A sheet with technical information for each race will be supplied (as required by the rules).

2.0 COMPETITORS

The SkyGames® are open to athletes of eighteen years of age or over in possession of a medical certificate required by Italian law. SkyGames® ranking will be assigned only to those athletes who are members of a UIAA associated federation, or Associations or Mountain Sports Committees recognized by the FSA (Federation for Sport at Altitude) and individual national federations.

2.1. INVITATIONS

Countries, Federations or Teams may participate providing they are in possession of membership to a mountain sports association. Two athletes per nation may be officially invited to represent their country. The selection will be based on their ranking and must not already be included in a team and have previous experience in mountain endurance racing.

2.2. ENTRY

Entries must be sent on the specific entry form (www.skygames.org) to the race committee www.dolomiteskyrace.com. Entry is open until July 7, 2008. A limit of 650 athletes is set for the final race with precedence given to those participating in the SkyGames® and based on ranking.

2.3 ENTRY FEES

The SkyGames® entry fee is € 70 which covers all the races. The race packet includes bib, windproof vest, finisher’s medal and insurance. The entry fee for one race is € 45 or two races, € 60.

3.0. TECHNICAL RULES

All the races may have a mass start, a timed start, or in heats based on ranking. The SkyGames® titles for each discipline will be assigned and the M/F results will be final. The first three athletes in each race will be awarded medals and specific prizes will be awarded up to fifth position and other prizes up to 10th position in the final race. The information sheet on each race specifies the rules for the start, equipment, time limits, aid stations, assistance, course marking and check points. In the event of unresolved issues, the general FSA/Skyrunning rules will apply.

4.0. TITLES AND MEDALS

Ten world titles (five each M/F) and 30 medals will be awarded. Total prize money is €25,000 including reimbursements and other prizes. Nations and teams will be ranked.

4.1. SKYGAMES TITLES®

The SkyGames® (combined) titles are awarded on the sum of the best results (order of arrival) in three out of four races.

5.0. PRIZE BREAKDOWN

M/F SkySpeed® € 2,000 (500/300/200)
M/F Vertical Kilometer® € 3,500 (1,000/500/250)
M/F SkyBike® € 4,000 (1,200/500/300)
M/F Dolomites SkyRace® € 6,000 (M:1,500/1,000/500) and prizes from 4th to 10th position
M/F SkyGames® € 4,500 (1,500/500/250)

6.0. SPONSOR SPACE

Athletes may wear a team or national team kit. Athletes’ sponsors’ logo size is limited to 3 cm x 4 cm or equivalent area. The official race bib must always be worn over other garments.
SkyGames® partners and commercial sponsors’ space is limited to 5 cm x 18 cm or equivalent area. The name of the venue host may be used beside the SkyGames® name and logo.

7.0. ORGANIZATION

The official organizer should provide areas for the race courses, start/finish area and course marking as set out in the rules
The Dolomites SkyRace Committee will manage entries and timing and, in collaboration with the FSA, foreign entries, invitations, official results and anti doping controls.

8.0. RACE COURSES

The local organizer is responsible for the distribution of bibs and race packs, the start/finish area, the course marking with flags and/or arrows at forks or unclear sections.
- The organizer is also responsible for aid stations as specified in the race information sheets or, for organizational purposes, may oblige the competitors to carry their own liquids where necessary.
- The organizer is responsible for the race material, medical assistance and assistance for non-finishers.
- For safety reasons, the rules regarding equipment and assistance of any nature may vary depending on course or weather conditions and should be communicated at a specific pre-race briefing.

9.0. JURY

The composition of the jury must be indicated before each race and include the course director, an FSA representative and a competitors’ representative. The decision of the Jury is final and in case of dispute, the decision of the FSA representative and the FSA rules will apply.

10.0. RACE CANCELLATION

The races can be cancelled or postponed unless under extreme conditions and with the unanimous decision of the FSA representative and the Organizing Committee. Each race organizer must prepare an alternative reserve course in the case of unfavourable weather conditions such as fog, storms, snow etc and may also be required to change the start time accordingly.

11.0. OBLIGATIONS AND PENALTIES

Competitors are required to respect the rules, participate in the pre race briefings, carry the mandatory equipment, to show solidarity with the other competitors not only in the race but throughout the whole event.
Apart from the penalties specie in the race information sheets, penalties from 3 to 20 minutes will be applied for:
- throwing of trash outside the check point areas (100m +/-)
- receiving outside aid in unauthorized areas (eg not at specified points such as aid stations)
- not following the race course signage, voluntarily or otherwise
- not wearing the bib properly

Disqualification will occur in the event:
- not passing through compulsory checkpoints
- unsportsmanlike behaviour
- not assisting another competitor in need of help
- not participating in the awards ceremony
- refusal to undergo antidoping tests or testing positive in an antidoping test

12.0. COMPLAINTS

Complaints must be written and countersigned with the complainants name and bib number at the finish line or on publication of the results to the organizers of an FSA representative. A deposit of €50 may be required which will be refunded if the case is accepted. Complaints may not be made after one hour of the publication of the results. The complaints will be put to the Jury and the decision, with an FSA representative on the Jury, is final.
Appeals may be presented to the FSA with the same procedure and the verdict will be given within ten days of receipt.

Official web site of the SkyGames: www.skygames.org