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The STACK Rule Book

II ORGANIZER'S RESPONSIBILITIES


[ please take note of the latest amendments (april 1996) !]


Table of Contents


II ORGANIZER'S RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Rules and Manoeuvers

The rules are intended to provide consistency and predictability for competitors and limited flexibility to organizers. Event Organizers must provide 30 day advance notice to competitors of any rule changes to be used at their competition.

1. Rules

Organizers are encouraged to use the rule book as written. If changes are applied (or non-standard alternatives used [see V.C.1.b.]), these changes must be announced, in writing and available to competitors, at least thirty days before the date of the competition. If the thirty day notice of changes is not provided, the rule book must be applied as written.

The notice requirements do not apply to on-site rule adjustments made in response to wind conditions or other unpredictable event conditions.

2. Manoeuvers

Compulsory manoeuvers must be announced and available to competitors at least thirty days before the date of an event.

[NOTE: see Sanction Form on this sibject]

B. Mandatory Flying Field Requirements For Sanctioned Events

Event organizers must provide adequate flying fields for the type and size of the events they intend to run. All fields should be free of obstructions and have a flat terrain. The necessary field types are:

1. Practice: One or more marked areas open for practice flying. This type of space is needed for tuning kites prior to competition and is especially appreciated by competitors who need to quickly change kites due to a change in wheather conditions. Access is first-come, first-served. Competitors should be courteous and not monopolize the fields when others are waiting. All practice fields should be marked off similar to the competition fields, with the exception of inner and center boundaries.

2. Stage-In Area: A pre-competition waiting area adjacent to but separate from the competition field. The pilot in the Stage-In Area stretches his/her lines out on the ground only. The Pit Boss, in charge here, assures the competitors in this area do not interfere with anyone currently performing on the competition field. Where sufficient space is not available, it is acceptable to have this area within the boundary of the competition field.

3. Stage-Out Area: An area adjacent to or along the inside perimeter of each competition field, opposite from the Stage-In Area. After competitors complete their performances, the Field Director will ask them to move to this area, land their kite(s) and then clear out of the area as quickly as possible to make room for the next competitor.

4. Minimum Competition Field Size: Competition fields should be set minimumly at 300 ft x 300 ft (91.5 m x 91.5m) square for team/pairs competition (400 ft x 400 ft is ideal) events, and 250 ft x 250 ft (76 m x 76 m) for individual competition events. Each field should have safety tape placed around its outside perimeter to designate out-of-bounds. In addition, an inner boundary line, 30 feet (10 meters) from the outside perimeter should be established. A third center boundary line should also be established, approximately 15 feet (5 meters) inside the outer boundary line. The inner and center boundary lines may be marked off with chalk or safety tape secured to the ground (see Appendix I, Sample Field Layout).

When the organizer is unable to provide competition fields that meet the above requirements, competitors must be notified of the actual reduced field size ideally before registration announcements are sent out, but at least 30 days prior to the competition. Organizers are required to enforce boundary rules for safety.

C. Operations Setup

Organizers are requires to set up a stage, main tent or other designated area as a place to centralize operations to post flight orders, scores, give out staff assignments, etc. The space should be sufficient in size to meet the needs of the Chief Judge, Announcer, Sound Engineer, Scorers, etc. Equipment such as anemometers (wind meters), clip boards, stop watches and communication headsets need to be provided for officials assigned to each competition field (See Appendix A for a list of Suggested Supplies & Equipment For 110 Contestant Event).

D. Wind Rules And Flying Conditions

1. Depending ons the weather, competition events may be delayed or canceled. Every effort will be made to complete all of the events; if necessary, events will be rescheduled. If an events is canceled, no awards will be given.

2. A Maximum Speed Rule will be employed during the competitions. If the wind exceeds the maximum stated below a recess will be declared. When the wind speed drops below the maximu, the flight order will be resumed. If the Judges or Safety Marshal determine that a competitor cannot safely control his or her kite at any speed they may declare that the contestant cannot compete with that kie or stack of kites. The maximum wind speeds are:

Novice 20 mph 32.4 km/h

All Other Classes 30 mph 49.0 km/h

3. A Minimum Speed Rule will be in effect during the competitions. If the winds fall below these minimums a Wind Rule Delay will be declared. The minimum speeds are:

Novice 5 mph 8.0 km/h

Intermediate 4 mph 6.5 km/h

Experienced/Master/Open 3 mph 5.0 km/h

4. Wind Checks: Competitors may request a wind check per the following:

a. A wind check may be requested by a competitor before or up to the half-way point of his/her performance, based on the maximum allowable time for that performance.

b. The Competitor will make the wind check request to the Field Director by calling "Wind Check".

c. If a request is made while the competitor's performance is underway, the competitor must continue to fly until receiving a response from the Field Director.

d. The Field Director will take a wind velocity reading with a digital anemometer for a continuous period of 15 seconds before determining if the average wind speeds falls between the minimum and maximum wind speeds required for that competition event.

e. The Field Director informs the competitor of the reading, and if the reading is between the required minimum and maximum speeds, the competitor will be required to compleete his/her performance; but if the reading is outside the required minimum/maximum, the competitor may continue to fly or may stop his/her performance.

f. When a competitor(s) chooses not to continue (or not to begin), the Field Director instructs the competitor to land the kite, and a Wind Rule Delay may be invoked.

5. Marginal Wind Conditions:

When the wind speed does not consistently meet the requirements specified above (see Section II.D.3.), the wind is considered marginal.

a. The Head Judge for each Competition Event shall then ask for volunteers to move up in the flight order and perform under such wind conditions; and

1) if no one volunteers to fly up in flight order, then the wind rule delay is invoked;

2) however, if volunteers are identified, the Head Judge will continue the competition event and allow as many competitors as possible to compete.

b. The Head Judge will then consult with the Event Organizer or Chief Judge to determine the appropriate course of action. The final decision regarding the rescheduling or cancelling of competition events rests with the Chief Judge or Event Organizer. They will determine:

1) if further delays will be granted;

2) if the event will be postponed until a future time;

3) if the event will be cancelled; or

4) if the event will be completed despite the marginal wind conditions.

c. If the Chief Judge or Event Organizer lifts the recess during wind conditions that are below the minimum required for that event, that decision will be final and the competition will resume. No allowances will be made for lack of suitable equipment or other handicaps. Every effort will be made to assure that competitors receive an equal chance to compete fairly.

1) the original flight order will be used, picking up at the point left off prior to the wind rule delay;

2) competitors must compete or scratch from that competition event when it is their turn to compete;

d. If the decision is to delay the start or re-start of a competition event, the Chief Judge or Event Organizer will indicate the new start time for that Competition Event.

6. Wind Rule Delay:

a. If a Wind Rule Delay is invoked, the Head Judge will indicate a specific length of time for the recess and will allow sufficient time for the competitor to change equipment and also re-check the wind window (The same penalty rules apply as stated in section III.E., Initial Setup Times).

b. Competitors on the competition field or in the Stage-in Area may change equipment and music selection if so desired.

c. After a recess is lifted, competitors will restart the original flight order at the point it was recessed.

7. Extreme Weather Conditions:

Under extreme weather conditions, such as continued rain or other inclement weather, or wind constantly under the minimum speed, the Chief Judge may modify or eliminate elements of an event in order to complete as much of the competition as possible. These modifications may include:

a. Reducing the number of compulsory figues.

b. Reducing or eliminating the freestyle portion of a Precision event.

c. Altering the field boundaries to enlarge the competition field.

E. Safety

1. A Safety Marshal and crew will monitor the entire competition area. It is their job to ensure that spectators do not stray onto any competition or practice field or Stage In and Out areas, and that spectators and all participants do not fly their kites in a manner which may endanger the well-being of any and all persons attending the competition. During competition, no competitor's kite may cross the center boundary line. If a competitor is guilty of a major safery violation, or repeated minor ones, he or she will be disqualified. The Safety Marshal or crew, the Field Director, Line Judges or any of the Judges may recommend to the Chief Judge that a competitor be disqualified. The Chief Judge will make the final decision.

2. Line Judges shall be placed in opposite corners of the competition field, on the inner-most boundary line. They are there to monitor all four boundaries for safety violations. When a Line Judge sees a competitor's kite enter the inner boundary line she/he raises a yellow flag to signify to the Individual or Team Captain that they are approaching the center (disqualification) boundary line. Any number of yellow flags is permitted without penalty, but only one red flag, signifying a crossing of the center boundary line, is permitted.

The purpose of the additional 15' (5m) buffer to the outer boundary tape is to eliminate the possibility of an accident occurring to persons outside the competition field, thus reducing the change of legal action taken against the event organizer or an injured individual.

3. In the case of a red flag or disqualification, the Field Director stops the performance and directs the competitor(s) to land their kites and exit the field. The judges score the pilot, but clearly mark their score sheets with the words safety disqualification. The scorers calculate and record the unofficial scores (This provides competitors with feedback on the performance and creates a score for use in the event of a successful protest).

4. The Line Judges and their flags are present for the use of the Field Director and the Judges. The Field Director will attempt to notify the pilot (via whistle or other means) when a yellow flag has been waved, but it is the pilot's responsibility to be aware of the field boundaries and his or her kite's location at all times.

5. In the unfortunate situation when Line Judges are not available, the Line Judge responsibilities (to the degree possible) will revert to the Field Director.

F. Stage-In Area

Competitors report to the Pit Boss at least three turns before it is their turn to compete. The Pit Boss will position competitors in this area to ensure easy movement onto the competition field. Using a copy of the Flight Order, the Pit Boss assures there are at least two to three competitors in the Stage-In Area at all times.

The Pit Boss is in constant contact with the Announcer/Stage and is aware of competitor schedule conflicts. The Pit Boss may request that competitors be asked to report to the Stage-In Area but is not responsible for locating competitors.

G. Heats and Flight Orders.

1. Depending on the number of registrants in any Competition Event, heats may be run. The following guideline should be used to determine how to set up heats:

1-15 competitors no heats

16-30 competitors 2 heats

31-45 competitors 3 heats

(Note: There are a number of variables such as time constraints, number of qualified officials available, number of competition fields, etc. that affect how this decision is made. The decision regarding the use of heats rests with the Event Organizer/Chief Judge. When heats are used, the number of competitors should be evenly distributed between each heat.)

2. To determine the number of sompetitors that quality for the finals, the following formula applies:

If 2 heats = top 4 finishers / heat to finals

If 3 heats = top 3 finishers / heat to finals

If 4 heats = top 2 finishers / heat to finals

3. Prior to the start of each competition Flight Orders are randomly determined. Copies are provided to the Head Judge, the Field Director, the Pit Boss, the Scorers and the Announcer. A copy is also posted at the stage area as a reference for competitors. Changes in Flight Order can only be made by the Chief Judge or designee.

Exception: The Chief Judge may adjust the Flight Order, if necessary (e.g., due to no reports, competitor conflicts, wind conditions, etc.; see II.D.6.)