The Competition
The Sparking Hill Masters World Cup is a World Masters Association (WMA) and FIS sanctioned race The masters world cup is truly unique since the only qualification required is that you be over the age of 30 and have the desire to participate. Registraton requires membership in a national Masters Ski Association. "Racers" range from recreational participants just seeing if they can make the distance to those who are there going for the gold. This range of ability and goals creates an atmosphere that would be hard to match at any other cross country ski event. Each participant has the opportunity to participate in up to 3 races of varying length as well as the opportunity to represent their country as part of a 4 person relay team. The races will follow modified rules approved by the WMA. See the WMA web site for complete competition rules. All races are mass start by age category with 20 start lanes.
AGE CATEGORIES --- YEAR of BIRTH
- 01 --- 1980-1976
- 02 --- 1975-1971
- 03 --- 1970-1966
- 04 --- 1965-1961
- 05 --- 1960-1956
- 06 --- 1955-1951
- 07 --- 1950-1946
- 08 --- 1945-1941
- 09 --- 1940-1936
- 10 --- 1935-1931
- 11 --- 1930-1926
- 12 --- 1925 and before
REGISTRATION
REGISTER EARLY! Registration deadline will be in the month prior to the competition NO LATE REGISTRATIONS will be accepted. Registration requires membership in a National Masters Ski Association - for Canada - $20 fee, for USA. Entry fee is 160 Euro (may be paid in Can$ or US$ equivalent). Registration entitles entry into maximum of 3 individual competitions but only one at middle distance (Sat or Sun), one at short distance (Mon) and one at long distance (Thur or Fri). The race fee also incudes banquet ticket, and bus-shuttle services. The relay consists of 4 legs of 5 km - first two classic, last two free style. Each country may enter only one team in each age class, chosen by the national director. This is a chance to cheer for your nation if you are not a participant.
PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
THURSDAY, MARCH 3
- Arrival
- Official Training
- Registration
FRIDAY, MARCH 4
- Official Training,
- Registration
- Team Captain Meeting
- Opening Ceremony
SATURDAY, MARCH 5
- 30 km Free Men 01-06 (age 30-59)
- 15 km Free Men 07-09 (age 60-74)
- 10 km Free Men 10-12 (age 75+)
- 15 km Free Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
- 10 km Free Women 09-12 (age 70+)
- Team Captains Meeting
- Award Ceremony
SUNDAY, MARCH 6
- 30 km Classic Men 01-06 (age 30-59)
- 15 km Classic Men 07-09 (age 60-74)
- 10 km Classic Men 10-12 (age 75+)
- 15 km Classic Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
- 10 km Classic Women 09-12 (age 70+)
- Team Captains Meeting
- Award Ceremony
MONDAY, MARCH 7
- Morning
- 10 km Classic Men 01-09 (age 30-74)
- 5 km Classic Men 10-12 (age 75+)
- 10 km Classic Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
- 5 km Classic Women 09-12 (age 70+)
- Afternoon
- 10 km Free Men 01-09 (age 30-74)
- 5 km Free Men 10-12 (age 75+)
- 10 km Free Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
- 5 km Free Women 09-12 (age 70+)
- Award Ceremony
TUESDAY, MARCH 8
- Rest Day / Cultural program
- WMA Meeting
- Team Captains Meeting
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9
- Relays 4 x 5 km (1+2 Leg Classic and 3+4 Leg Free) Men & Women Team
- Team Captains Meeting
- Award Ceremony
THURSDAY, MARCH 10
- 45 km Free Men 01-06 (age 30-59)
- 30 km Free Men 07-09 (age 60-74)
- 15 km Free Men 10-12 (age 75+)
- 30 km Free Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
- 15 km Free Women 09-12 (age 70+)
- Team Captains Meeting
- Award Ceremony
FRIDAY, MARCH 11
- 45 km Classic Men 01-06 (age 30-59)
- 30 km Classic Men 07-09 (age 60-74)
- 15 km Classic Men 10-12 (age 75+)
- 30 km Classic Women 01-08 (age 30-69)
- 15 km Classic Women 09-12 (age 70+)
- Award Ceremony
- Banquet and Closing Ceremony
SATURDAY, MARCH 12
- Sovereign Lake Nordic Annual Loppet (optional extra event) - 15 km and 30 km free style
- Departure of the Participants
RACE INFORMATION
- Seeding is done based on WMA/FIS point profiles (Rule 604) or by random draw after all point holders are seeded.
- Race courses are closed to training during all races. Skate skiing on a clasic race course, including spectators, is not allowed before or during a competition to preserve the course condition.
- Race support can be provided at safe locations along the course as long as supporters do not interfere with other racers
- Protest periods consist of 30 minutes following the final competition each day. A required fee must accompany any formal protest to the jury. Jury decisions are final.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- No skating allowed in a classic race
- Start only in assigned position
- Stay in start lane - no lane change allowed in first 25 m
- Ski marking is required
- Aggressive skiing or abusive behaviour towards competitors or officials will not be tolerated. Skiiers will be removed from the competition for failure to exhibit basic standards of conduct.
