1. Drivers

   Each driver agrees to hold Can-Am Crown, Inc., race sponsor(s) and other contributors (sponsors and contributors of the corporation as distinguished from the sponsors of the individual driver) harmless from any claim or demand based on any alleged action or inaction by the driver, his dogs, agents, or others acting in his/her behalf. The driver also agrees to release Can-Am Crown, Inc., sponsors and agents and employees from any claim or demand resulting from injury to the driver, his/her dogs, or his/her property.

   Can-Am Crown, Inc. and the race sponsors shall have the free authority to photograph and otherwise collect information about the race and all participants therein and to use such photographs and information for advertising, public relations, brochures, posters, or other publicity. Drivers shall display sponsorship banner and/or bibs at the race start and finish as requested by Can-Am Crown.

   Before participating in a Can-Am Crown race, each driver must agree to the foregoing by signing all documents required by the Corporation. Documents may be signed at the time of registration.

   A musher must be at least 18 years old unless a waiver is obtained by applying to Can-Am Crown Corporation. Application must include years of experience and written consent from parent or guardian.

   The Can-Am Crown Directors reserve the right to waive entry requirements if in their judgment an applicant is likely to finish the race in good standing. However, all applicants must be able and willing to adhere to the rules of the race. In no case will the limit on the number of entries be exceeded. Can-Am Crown reserves the right to accept or reject any entry and may honor the censures of another sled dog racing organization.

   A driver with a pre-existing medical condition may be allowed to enter the race, provided that the condition is under control and does not prevent the driver from adhering to all of the race rules.

   Confirmation of Entries & Assignment of Bib Numbers

   Receipt of all of the following items will confirm that the musher intends to enter the race and agrees to comply with all race rules.

   • *Valid payment of the full entry fee
   • *Completed and signed entry form
   • *Completed profile
   • *A signed waiver from parent or guardian if the musher is a minor

   Can-Am Crown will begin to accept applications after the 2009 entry forms have been posted on the internet (no sooner than August 1, 2008).

   Upon proof of qualification (if required) and receipt of all required payments and documents, Can-Am Crown will accept the entry and assign a bib number by the following method:

   A random drawing of bib numbers will take place on August 24 at a meeting of Can-Am Crown Board members. All applications received and accepted before that date will be included in the drawing. If, for example, there are 20 entries at that time, then bib numbers 1 through 20 will be randomly assigned to those entries. After August 24, the lowest remaining bib numbers will be assigned immediately in the order that applications are received and accepted.

   
   

   Waiting Lists

   If a race has a full complement of thirty confirmed entries, then additional applicants may request to be put on a waiting list. Those on the waiting list are required to provide the same payment, documents, and proofs of qualification as the confirmed entries. However, checks will not be cashed and credit cards will not be charged until the applicant becomes a confirmed entry.

   If a confirmed entry withdraws, then the first driver on the waiting list will automatically be confirmed as bib number 30, and his/her check will be cashed or credit card will be charged. At that time, the driver will become subject to the refund schedule (see individual race rules) if he/she decides to withdraw. It is the responsibility of the applicant to inform Can-Am Crown if he/she wishes to withdraw from the waiting list before being confirmed. There is no charge for withdrawal from the waiting list.

   
   

   Alternates, Substitutions & Transfers

   Driver substitution may be made until one hour before the race starts. However, substitute drivers must be previously named as alternates on the original driver's entry form or by official notification to Can-Am Crown at least 30 days before the race. This will ensure that Can-Am Crown has time to assess the qualifications of possible substitutes. If an alternate, or alternates, are not named on the musher's entry form or at least 30 days before the race, then no substitute will be allowed.

   If a confirmed entrant wishes to transfer from one Can-Am Crown race to a longer or shorter Can-Am Crown race, then the entrant must withdraw from the original race and enter the substitute race, subject to the same fees, refund schedules, and entry requirements as a new applicant.

   
   

   Registration & Check-In

   Registration deadline is at 1:00pm Friday, February 27.

   All drivers or their representatives are required to check in at the Lonesome Pine ski lodge any time between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27. This applies to all three races.

   At check-in, CAC will provide each driver with an official bib or vest which displays his/her start number. A $20 deposit will be required.

   If the driver or representative fails to check in before 4:00 p.m., then Can-Am Crown cannot guarantee that team a position in the race.

   
   

   Each race will start as scheduled unless a majority of the Can-Am Crown Board of Directors agrees that conditions warrant a delay. In no case will a race start be delayed more than 24 hours. If a Can-Am Crown race is canceled, then the entry fees for that race will be refunded in full.

   Any driver who is not prepared to leave as scheduled will be rotated to the end of the starting lineup, but the driver's recorded start time shall remain unchanged.

   The driver starting the race shall drive the team throughout the race. All winners must attend the awards ceremony to receive prize money.

2. Dogs

   All dogs must be available for physical examinations before the start of the race.

   No drugs or other artificial means may be used to drive a dog beyond its natural ability. A veterinarian may randomly collect and test blood and urine samples at any time during the race to determine the presence of prohibited drugs. It will be the driver's responsibility to assist the veterinarian in collection of these samples. Before the start of the race, the Chief Veterinarian must be notified of any dog receiving any prescribed medications. Such medications must be entered into the team's veterinary diary. Any dog that has previously received prohibited medication(s) will be evaluated by the Chief Veterinarian to determine if the dog is eligible to compete, based on drug half-life and withdrawal times. From the pre-race veterinary examination until the finish of the race, any dog receiving a prohibited medication or any injection will be removed from further competition.

   The following drugs are permitted:

   - Topical medications (except DMSO)

   - Dewormers

   - Antibiotics (except procaine penicillin)

   - Anti-diarrheals (except those with salicylates, e.g., Pepto-Bismol)

   - Oestrus suppressants (such as Ovaban or Cheque Drops) without analgesic or stimulative properties

   - Oral food supplements (such as Glycoflex, Cosequin, etc.) with solely nutritive properties

   All other drugs are prohibited.

   All dogs will be marked before leaving the starting line.

   Vaccinations

   All dogs entered in the race shall have had DHLPP [distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus 2), leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus] vaccinations within the 12 months previous to the race and at least 21 days before the race.

   All dogs must be vaccinated at least 21 days before the race. (In other words, all dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and DHLPP [distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus 2), leptospirosis , parainfluenza, and parvovirus] before February 7, 2009.)

   In accordance with current Maine law, three-year rabies vaccinations are now accepted.

   Bordetella and Coronavirus immunizations are recommended. Owners should consult with a veterinarian for proper timing of these vaccinations.

   Most DHLPP vaccines provide protection from leptospirosis serovars (strains) L. canicola and L. icterohaemorrhagiae. Infection by two other serovars, L. grippotyphosa and L. pomona, is becoming more common. Can-Am Crown strongly recommends vaccination against these two additional serovars.

   
   

   Vaccination Records

   Drivers must provide proofs of vaccination.

   Owners who vaccinate their own dogs shall submit purchase invoices and organized medical records indicating that each dog has been vaccinated within the time period prescribed above.

   Validated rabies certificates must be presented to prove that rabies vaccinations are current.

   When all vaccinations are complete and in compliance with the requirements listed above, drivers should submit copies of proofs of vaccination and the completed Can-Am Crown Uniform Canine Vaccination Record (UCVR) by mail or fax to the address on the UCVR.

   Please note: A completed UCVR is not proof of vaccination. Its purpose is to ensure that the driver organizes his/her records and checks vaccination dates to be sure that they are in compliance with race rules.

   As insurance against lost mail or failed faxes, drivers must also bring copies of vaccination proofs to the site of the pre-race veterinary examination on Friday, February 27.

   Vaccination records should be mailed before February 14 or faxed before February 21. The fax number and mailing address for submissions can be found on the UCVR form. Drivers who have neglected to submit records before the deadlines or who have enrolled after these dates must offer vaccination proofs at the pre-race veterinary examination.

   Drivers who have submitted timely, legible, and correct records by mail or fax before the deadlines will be given priority in the veterinary examination schedule. Any driver who has not submitted complete vaccination records before the deadlines will be moved to the end of the examination schedule regardless of bib number. Early submission of records speeds up the examination process greatly.

   
   

   At the pre-race veterinary examination, any dog which, in the opinion of the Chief Veterinarian, should not run the race, shall not run the race. If the Chief Veterinarian believes that a dog has a contagious illness, then the dog must be removed from the area, and the Race Marshall may also reject the entire team for the safety of the other teams. In addition, if the Chief Veterinarian believes that a dog is too vicious to be examined safely, then that dog shall be rejected. Only the Chief Veterinarian, acting in agreement with the Race Marshall, can force the dropping of a dog during the race.

   Most race-related veterinary expenses are paid by Can-Am Crown. However, drivers are expected to pay extraordinary veterinary expenses they might incur during the race. Can-Am Crown may, at its discretion, charge a driver for any medical supplies administered to a team before the start of the race. Prize moneys will be awarded minus any unpaid veterinary expenses charged to the driver. Drivers with unpaid Can-Am veterinary bills will not be allowed to register for Can-Am events.

The Race Marshal shall resolve disputes among drivers and interpret the race rules in regard to infractions and penalties. He/she shall also have the authority to establish rules to cover special or unforseen situations.

Dogs shall be dropped at a designated checkpoint at any time during the race that both the Race Marshal and the Chief Veterinarian determine is necessary after consulting with the musher and the examining veterinarian. The Race Marshal will have ultimate authority in all other disputes from the start of the race to the finish.

Race judges will act as deputies of the Race Marshal.

1. Race Course

We rely on private landowners for the use of trails and checkpoint facilities. Please respect their property.

Trails will be broken, groomed, and marked before the races, and trails will be broken again on the morning of the races. However, due to weather, there is no guarantee of broken trails during the races.

Can-Am Crown race trails are designed to minimize road crossings. The race course may be re-routed by the Can-Am Crown race organization as conditions require.

All teams must follow the trail as marked or as redirected by trail officials.

An overtaken team must relinquish the trail at the request of a driver who wishes to pass. The overtaken team must move to the side of the trail as far as possible and slow down or stop until the overtaking team has completely passed. To avoid “leapfrogging”, the passed team must then remain behind at least 5 minutes before requesting to pass. Within one mile of the finish line, the trail does not need to be relinquished and the 5-minute rule does not apply.

Drivers resting, setting up camp, or untangling dogs must clear the trail of their dogs and gear, making passage safe for other teams.

Any fires must be built a minimum of 15 feet off the trail edge.

Drivers who litter the trail with food or other items shall be subject to disqualification and/or censure.

Dogs may be fed at checkpoints, designated snack areas, or a minimum of 15 feet from the race trail. The Can-Am trail crew will attempt to groom snack areas at intervals alongside the trail. If, by necessity, dogs are fed in the trail, the Race Marshal will impose a penalty if the action delays a following team. If no driver files an official complaint, then there shall be no penalty.

2. Outside Assistance

The spirit of this race dictates that drivers be self-sufficient. Therefore drivers should not help each other except to ensure safety and animal welfare. A driver will not be penalized for helping another driver whose life is endangered or for helping to recover a lost team.

 No assistance which would result in a competitive advantage may be solicited or accepted.

Between checkpoints drivers may not accept assistance from any type of motorized vehicle, except to recover a lost team. Drivers are encouraged to solicit or accept any available help recovering a lost team. (However, if the Race Marshal determines that a musher has thereby gained a competitive advantage, then the Marshal may impose an appropriate time penalty.)

Pacing with snowmobiles is prohibited.

No two-way communication device shall be allowed unless provided by Can-Am Crown.

A handler is anyone who helps a team. Handlers may only help control and restrain an unmanageable team. No other help is allowed during the race. Personal handlers may help a driver and team before the team starts and after the team finishes. During the race, personal handlers may transport and care for dropped dogs which have been released by the veterinary staff. If personal handlers appear on the race course or at any prohibited checkpoint location, then the team shall be disqualified.

3. Sportsmanship

The rigors of this race and the history of the sport require that each competitor be courteous, helpful and honorable to a degree that will inspire similar behavior in all participants and volunteers. Rude or inappropriate behavior by drivers or handlers may result in a penalty.

If a driver or his/her agent tampers with another’s dogs, food or gear, then the driver will be disqualified.

Any driver who uses ski poles must stop poling and place the poles in or on the sled whenever his/her team is within 100 feet (30 meters) of another team or whenever an approaching driver calls “Poles” or “Trail”. Failure to do so may result in a 2-hour time penalty.

Possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs by drivers is strictly prohibited from the day of the race start until the finish. There shall be a two-hour time penalty for such use or possession. The penalty for a second offense shall be immediate disqualification.

4. Treatment of Dogs

Whips of any kind or the use of brush, branches or any object as a whip or to create a frightening noise is expressly prohibited.

Cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs will result in the immediate expulsion of the driver. The race committee, Race Marshal or judges in consultation with a veterinarian will have absolute determination regarding the cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs.

If the Chief Medic or the Race Marshal believes that a driver’s physical or mental condition may endanger the welfare of the team, then the Race Marshal may demand that the team be dropped from the race.

Any dog that expires for any reason during the race shall be completely covered in a sled bag and delivered as soon as possible to a race official. The Chief Veterinarian will examine the body to determine the cause of death. If needed, a full necropsy shall be performed at the driver's expense. Death of a dog may result in disqualification of the driver.

5. Teams Tied Together

Two or more teams may not be tied together in any way, except to assist a driver in trouble at some immediate location. The drivers of any teams so involved must notify race officials at the next checkpoint.

6. Loose Dogs/Lost Teams

There will be no loose dogs. All dogs will be either on the towline or in the sled. Dogs hauled in the sled must be hauled in a protected, humane manner. A driver must make immediate efforts to secure a dog which becomes loose.

A lost team will not be disqualified if the driver regains control, provided that the entire race course is covered by both team and driver. A driver may accept help from another driver in recovering his/her team without penalty.

7. Switching Dogs

Dogs shall not be switched between teams after they have officially left the start line.

8. Dropped Dogs

A driver may drop a dog or dogs for any reason or no reason. To drop a dog, the driver must sign a dropped dog form, at which time the dog is officially and irrevocably dropped from the race.

Dogs may be dropped only at designated checkpoints or at the start. If a driver returns to the start to drop a dog, the number of dogs remaining in the team must still equal or exceed the minimum required at the race start.

9. Withdrawal From a Race

To quit a Can-Am Crown race, a driver must sign an official resignation form and present it to a Can-Am Crown official. Any driver who quits a race without properly notifying officials may be barred from future races. Exception may be made if a driver leaves the trail to protect the health or life of a dog or person, but a race official or Can-Am Central (834-5626) must be notified as soon as possible.

10. Driver's Report: Rule Violations and Safety Problems

It is the duty of each driver to report trail safety problems and violations of these race rules. Official report forms shall be included in each driver’s race manual/veterinary diary. Reports shall include the time, date, nature of the rule violation or safety problem, approximate location on the trail, name or bib number of the violator (if known), and names of witnesses (if any). Such reports must be presented to the Race Marshal or a race judge at the nearest checkpoint. The race judge will gather information and relay it to the Race Marshal for action. Protests and reports of rule violations shall not be discussed with any other persons, including spectators or media. Only the Race Marshal may issue statements to the media regarding protests and violations.

Complaints will be kept on file and reviewed by the CAC board. If the evidence indicates a pattern of unsportsmanlike behavior, the board may censure a driver.

Failure of a driver to comply with the race rules and cooperate with officials may result in disqualification or a monetary or time penalty as assessed by the Race Marshal.

Any driver who makes a false complaint may be fined $20 per incident.

The following are criteria the ISDVMA uses to evaluate the health and welfare of dogs and teams in competition and to determine the fitness of any dog or team to continue:

A. Evaluation of overall body condition:

1. Obese, heavy layer of fat covering ribs and all boney protuberances, making palpation difficult.

2. A layer of fat covering the ribs and boney protuberances, but can palpate without difficulty.

3. A thin layer of body fat, but all areas are easily palpated.

4. No obvious body fat, no intercostal concavity. Boney protuberances seen.

5. No body fat, intercostal concavity and boney protuberances very prominent.

6. A change in 2 positions may result in a dog being held or dropped from the event. Any dog in category 5 will be dropped from competition unless sufficient layover time is used to upgrade the animal’s condition.

B. Vital signs which may render a dog subject to disqualification:

1. Dehydration

a. 10-12% - Severe loss of skin elasticity, capillary refill time >3 seconds, markedly sunken eyeballs, shock in debilitated animals, involuntary muscle twitching, cold extremities.

b. 7-8% - Definite inelasticity of skin, capillary refill time 2-3 seconds, slight depression of eye into orbit, cooling of extremities.

c. 5% - Slightly doughy inelasticity of skin, dry mucous membranes. Drop or rehydrate before continuing.

2. Abnormal heart rate - irregular and/or a heart rate that does not decrease below 120 bpm after 1 hour and capillary refill time remains elevated.

3. Body temperature greater than 103°F after one hour.

4. Hypothermia as indicated by a rectal temperature of less than 99°F

5. Lung sounds with evidence of edema, rales or cough.

6. Non-responsive diarrhea with blood.

6. Red or brown urine

7. Frostbite injuries that cannot be protected from refreezing or are accompanied by substantial swelling

8. Illnesses/injuries requiring treatment with pharmaceuticals not available at a checkpoint or which would result in a positive drug test

C. Lameness:

Any non-weight bearing lameness renders a dog subject to disqualification. Pain and/or swelling, accompanied by lameness also can render a dog subject to disqualification. Any loss of range of motion or symmetry will be considered in evaluating lameness and ability to continue. Shoulder injuries should be considered the most serious in evaluating the ability to continue.

D. Mental attitude:

There is to be no dragging of teams or dogs out of check points. A sled dog's desire should be to continue the event; when that desire is sufficiently diminished and repeated attempts to leave end in failure, that team or dog is then discouraged from leaving.

E. Drug policy:

No dog participating in a race shall carry in its body any drug substance, its metabolites or analogs which are foreign to the natural dog as excepted by race veterinarians and race committee.

F. Dropped dog policy:

It is expected that race animals dropped from competition during an event are cared for as directed by a veterinarian. All efforts will be made on the part of the total race organization and participants to provide adequate care, assuring that all dropped dogs will regain normal function as soon as possible.

Any of the criteria in this guideline, plus anorexia and exhaustion, will lead to a deterioration in the dog’s desire to continue and will further render the dog subject to disqualification.