Regulations Fly-SwissAlps
Version V2.0 / November 2022
- 1. General
- 1.1 The regulations apply to all Fly-SwissAlps participating pilots and tandem passengers.
- 1.2 The Organizing Committee (OC) reserves the right to change the rules until the start of the race. If necessary, you will be informed at the obligatory briefing.
- 1.3 The OC of the Fly-SwissAlps is responsible for the content of the website, the registration procedure, the timetable, the definition and operation of the checkpoints (CP), the competition and meteo briefing, the service at the start and finish, the live tracking and evaluation system.
- 1.4 You are responsible for your flying and running equipment, for clothing suitable for the alpine environment, for orientation in the air and in the terrain, the choice of suitable take-off and landing sites, the assessment of the weather and wind conditions on site, a concluded and valid liability and accident insurance and generally for all decisions made by you during the running competition.
- 1.5 You are aware of the increased risks resulting from the Fly-SwissAlps task. You accept these as an inevitable part of the event.
- 1.6 Your registration and payment of the entry fee takes place online via fly-swissalps.ch.
- 1.7 If the competition cannot take place due to force majeure, you are not entitled to a refund of the entry fee, damages or compensation.
- 1.8 The Fly-SwissAlps Telegram group is used to disseminate relevant information before and during the competition. You are obliged to send only information relevant to the competition management.
- 1.9 Failure to comply with the rules will result in your exclusion from the competition.
- 2. Eligibility
- 2.1 You are only entitled to start if you can present a valid SHV-Brevet/IPPI-card 4/DHV/ÖAV or another legally recognized flight authorization at the check-in on the day of the competition.
- 2.2 At the check-in on the day of the competition, you must also be able to present a liability insurance for hang gliders (paragliders) valid in Switzerland with a coverage of at least CHF 1 million. We recommend that you also take out REGA membership and/or mountain insurance.
- 2.3 Tandem teams are allowed and will be judged in a special category. Both tandem team members pay the full price.
- 3. Task CHALLENGE (Score Race)
- 3.1 The task is to collect both a.) mandatory and b.) voluntary checkpoints (CP), each while standing on the ground.
- a.) Mandatory Checkpoints (CP):
- - CP Kühboden/Fiescheralp: 0 points (ATTENTION: CutOff at 13:00h!)
- - CP Gletscherstube: 30 points (ATTENTION: CutOff at 14:00h!)
- - CP Fiesch (official landing site): 20 points
- b.) Voluntary Checkpoints (CP):
- - CP Grengiols: 80 points
- - CP Chäserstatt: 100 points
- - CP Breithorn: 350 points
- 3.2 The way to these checkpoints (CP) may only be covered on foot or flying with your own paraglider. The only exception is the CP Kühboden/Fiescheralp, which may be reached by cable car.
- 3.3 During the duration of the race, the points of the mandatory and voluntary checkpoints (CP) can only be collected once until the finish.
- 3.4 With the exception of CP Kühboden/Fiescheralp the order of the other checkpoints can be chosen freely.
- 4. Task PRO-Race (Score Race)
- 4.1 The task consists of collecting a.) mandatory as well as b.) voluntary checkpoints (CP) of your choice. The tasks will be announced in good time on the fly-swissalps.ch website.
- 4.2 The tasks contain tasks that can be completed either on the ground or by overflight. All overflight tasks can also be performed on the ground.
- 4.3 During the race the points of the mandatory and voluntary checkpoints (CP) can only be collected once until the finish.
- 5. Competition rules
- 5.1 In both races there will be three categories: Women, Men and Tandem.
- 5.2 The winner is the one who collects the most points of the checkpoints (CP) within the shortest time. If the number of points is equal, the faster time at the finish (start/finish) wins.
- 5.3 Official finish time for the CHALLENGE race is 20:00h. For the PRO race it is Sunday, 08:00h. Whoever crosses the finish line after this time will be disqualified (CutOff).
- 5.4 In the CHALLENGE race, the checkpoints must be reached on the ground and are acknowledged with the electronic recording of the start number at the checkpoints (CP).
- 5.5 In the PRO race, the checkpoints are to be fulfilled on the ground or by overflight, depending on the task.
- 5.6 In case of doubt, the track of the official GPS tracker and/or your own IGC/GPS data can be used at the OC's discretion.
- 5.7 GPS tracker and mobile phone are to be carried at all times. The equipment may be deposited within 300m of a checkpoint (CP) for a short time. The fairness principle applies.
- 5.8 On the trails between the checkpoints (CP), escorts and support vehicles are not allowed during daylight hours. However, escorts at the checkpoints and escorts at night (PRO races) are allowed.
- 5.9 The online briefing (procedure, terrain, etc.) in the week before the start as well as the briefing (meteo, etc.) immediately before the start are obligatory.
- 5.10 Flight rules, airspaces (ATTENTION: airfield Münster/VS) , game protection, hunting ban areas etc. must be observed at all times. Violations will be sanctioned with exclusion from the race.
- 5.11 The routes and checkpoints are (partially) marked. However, you are solely responsible for the choice of route and path both in the air and on the ground. The coordinates provided by the OC may vary slightly in the terrain.
- 5.12 Only mown meadows and paths are to be used for take-offs and landings whenever possible. Low overflights, take-offs or landings on meadows with animals are not permitted. Animals may become frightened, escape from the pasture and cause damage. If you open pasture fences, close them again! If you have caused damage to fences etc., report it immediately to the next checkpoint (CP) or to the OC.
- 5.13 If you do not finish the race for any reason (race abandonment), you must immediately sign out at the next checkpoint (CP) or the race management by phone/SMS/Telegram! If you fail to do so and thus cause a search (Air-Zermatt), you alone bear the costs!
- 5.14 If you abandon the race for any reason, you are responsible for organizing your own return to the finish whenever possible. You will bear the costs for this alone.
- 5.15 The race management can stop the race at any time without giving a reason. No costs will be reimbursed.
- 6. Equipment
- 6.1 Obligatory equipment: You must carry this equipment with you at all times during the competition and may not change it during this time. You can be checked by the OC at any time:
- - EN/LTF type-tested paragliders (EN 926-2 and 926-1) in the weight range specified by the manufacturer, harnesses with type-tested protector (EN 1651/LTF 91/09) and type-tested emergency parachute (EN 12491)
- - Hard shell helmet: EN 966 (air sports), EN1077 (winter sports)
- - Mobile phone always ready to send and receive in the Swiss mobile network with Telegram group: Fly-SwissAlps.ch.
- - 1 x rescue blanket (140 cm x 200 cm), 1 x elastic emergency bandage (min. 200 cm x 4 cm), 1 x whistle, headlamp (PRO-Race)
- - Emergency sheet with emergency numbers and further information
- 6.2 GPS tracker and mobile phone are to be carried at all times. The equipment may be deposited within 300m of a checkpoint (CP) for a short time. The fairness principle applies.
- 6.3 For your electronic registration at the checkpoint and the time recording, the transponder integrated in the race number (or in a tape) is used. The start number must be worn visibly on the body (chest, stomach, leg).
- 6.4 For live tracking you will receive a GPS tracker from Fly-SwissAlps for the duration of the race. You are obliged to carry it with you at all times and to keep it switched on.
- 6.5 After the race you have to return the GPS tracker in the start/finish area! In case of loss or missing return of the GPS tracker until Sunday, August 13, 2023, 08:00h at the latest, you have to pay an amount of CHF/€ 100.--! Also in case of later recovery/return of the GPS-tracker!
- 6.6 Recommended Equipment:
- - Functional clothing adapted to the alpine (!) weather conditions
- - Walking sticks
- - Sunglasses, sunscreen
- - Drinks & catering (in addition to catering at the CPs)
- 7. Security
- 7.1 You alone are responsible for the airworthiness of yourself and your equipment!
- 7.2 You alone are responsible for your route choice and decisions in the air and on the ground!
- 7.3 During the competition, the OC maintains a communication and security system in the competition area. The checkpoints (CP) play a central role in this. In case of incidents you should report there first! If this is not possible for you, contact us immediately via the emergency number. However, in the alpine competition area we can neither guarantee a complete surveillance nor a complete communication! Always be aware of this!
- 7.4 The OC reserves the right to make changes to the course, the checkpoints (CP) or the times at short notice, even on the day of the competition, or even to cancel the competition, especially if weather conditions and the protection of the participants make this necessary.
- 7.5 The OC will inform you before and during the event about important changes or competition adjustments via the Telegram group: Fly-Swissalps.ch.
- 7.6 If another participant has obvious problems or even an accident, you have to help him immediately without being asked and immediately alert the OK, the next checkpoint (CP) or the emergency services. The most important emergency numbers will be given to you.
- 7.7 We appeal to your fairness towards the other competitors and the OC.
- 8. Liability waiver
- 8.1 The Fly-SwissAlps takes place in the challenging alpine flying arena around Fiesch. Valley winds, lee sides and meteorological conditions (wind, thunderstorms etc.) can be dangerous for flying! There are many cables (electricity/telephone/cable car) and narrow landing areas in the competition area! We have already made you explicitly aware of these circumstances on our event website as well as in the briefings.
- 8.2 You are aware of these circumstances and know your abilities and limits. Even when you are physically tired and under stress, you are able to make decisions on your own responsibility!
- 8.3 You are aware that there is no GSM (mobile) radio coverage everywhere in the competition area. Online-supported navigation or calls for help via mobile phone might not be possible! Therefore, use (PRO-Race) if possible a private satellite tracker/emergency call system (SPOT/InReach etc.).
- 8.4 With your registration, you therefore fully waive all your claims for damages, liability or satisfaction against the organization and its agents, which - regardless of the legal basis - could be claimed in connection with the registration or participation in the race.
- 8.5 You also sign the disclaimer and the waiver at the check-in. You thereby declare your unrestricted agreement with the present regulations.
- 9. Image rights
- 9.1 For pictures (photo, video), which we as organizers of the Fly-SwissAlps take of you or your companions or which are made available to us by third parties, you assign all rights to them permanently and without compensation to the organizers.
- 9.2 As organizers, we are entitled to use the pictures of you for reporting and advertising with mention of your name - in particular to use them on our websites as well as on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.) without restriction, permanently and free of charge or to make them available to our media partners or the SHV for reporting purposes as well.
- 10. Data protection
- 10.1 With the registration you agree that we as organizers of the Fly-SwissAlps as well as our vicarious agents may freely process the personal data for the purpose of the realization, newsletter, publication of results and media coverage.
- 10.2 With your registration you also agree that we as organizers of the Fly-SwissAlps may make your personal data available to advertising partners and media partners.
- 10.3 In all other respects, current Swiss data protection law applies.
- 11. Final provisions
- 11.1 Subsidiary to these competition regulations the current sport regulations of the SHV-Hike'n'Fly League as well as the X-Alps-Academy-Swisscup are valid.
- 11.2 The doping statutes of Swiss Olympic and the Ethics Charter of Swiss Sport apply without restriction.
- 11.3 Any disagreements about placement or interpretation of the race rules are to be settled by mutual agreement. A formal protest must be submitted in writing to the race director at least one hour before the end of the race. If a formal protest is lodged, the OC will appoint a jury - consisting of an OC member, a neutral person and a participant. The jury will make its final decision by majority vote.
- 11.4 In all legal matters, Swiss law is exclusively applicable to the exclusion of the IPRG. The place of jurisdiction in all cases is Brig/VS.