1) Program

Ascent n°1: Departure from Bois du Bouchet – Arrival at the Plan-Praz take-off. By the KV. Flight to Bois du Bouchet with landing accuracy.

4.8km / 1 000m D+

Ascent n°2: Departure from Bois du Bouchet – Arrival at La Flégère. Flight to Bois du Bouchet with landing accuracy.

6.7km / 810 D+

Ascent n°3: Departure from Bois du Bouchet – Arrival at the Plan de l'Aiguille take off. Flight to Bois du Bouchet with landing accuracy.

7.5km / 1 250m D+

Bonus climbs: Departure from Bois du Bouchet – Arrival at the “Beaux Calves” take-off. Flight to Bois du Bouchet WITHOUT landing accuracy.

2.5km / 420m D+

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2) Organization

2.1) The Race Director / Jury / Race Committee

The race committee will be composed of:

• Remi Bourdelle (Race Director)

• Noah Devey

• A randomly selected pilot

The role of the committee is to rule in the event of a dispute between competitors and to validate the calculation of the points allowing the establishment of the classification.

The race committee reserves the right to adapt the rules of the race if it deems it necessary.

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2.2) Conditions for participation in hike and fly competition

The pilots are fully responsible for the decisions about their flight, for the own safety and safety of the others. The analysis and anticipation of flight conditions, as well as their evolution, must remain a priority at all times.

 

2.3) Conditions for cancellation or change of date

If the weather forecast proves to be particularly unfavorable, the race committee reserves the right to postpone the start of the race. Similarly, it can stop the race fully or partially during the event. In this case, pilots will be notified by SMS/Telegram.

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3) Terms

3.1) Registration terms

Registration is done on-line at following the link available on the Verti'Cham website. In order to validate the registration, each pilot must pay the full registration fee of 50€ by bank transfer (100€ for tandems), as well as to send all the requested documents.

Confirmation of registration will be confirmed to the pilots by email.

The list of registrants will be posted on the Verti'Cham website.

There are 100 places available.

The first complete and approved files will be given priority. Further applications will be put on the waiting list in the order of registration (complete file submitted). The organizers reserve the right to invite additional pilots. The organizers also reserve the right to refuse a pilot in case of insufficient qualification required to participate safely in this event.

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3.2) Registration fees

Included in registration fees:

• Welcome breakfast

• Food during the race

• Post-race meal

• Souvenir gifts (t-shirts & goodies)

• Event photography

• Access to the Kortel stand (test of equipment)

 

Non-refundable clause: in the event of withdrawal before August 30, only €20 will be refunded, no further refunds will be made after this date.

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3.3) Doping

Like all other sports disciplines, our activity is subject by French law to the anti-doping rules: the use of use of drugs to enhance performance is strictly prohibited, with the only exception of justified medical prescriptions.

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3.4) Respect for the environment

The pilots should not leave any trace of their passage and respect the environment in which they evolve (fauna, flora and soil).

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4) Ranking

The ranking is separate in three categories: women, men, and tandem

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The ranking is done in several stages with the following order of priority:

1. The number of climbs completed (1, 2 or 3)

2. The number of bonuses completed (0, 1 or 2)

3. Cumulative time on climbs + bonus

4. The cumulative number of penalty laps.

5. The ascent time on the 3rd ascent

6. The ascent time on the 2nd ascent

7. The ascent time on the 1st ascent

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The pilot must physically validate his passage on each take-off in order to validate his climb.
Time is taken physically when the pilot crosses the finish lines of each climb.
Flight time is never taken into account.
The participant must perform the penalty laps requested by giving the jury the number of rubber bands collected corresponding to the number of penalty laps to be performed.

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5) Pilots

5.1) General conditions of participation

• Be over 18 years old

• Hold a free flight pilot license in paragliding or IPPI 4

• Hold civil liability insurance valid for paragliding.

• Be autonomous in paragliding and be able to justify a regular practice.

• Be in possession of a medical certificate of "no contraindication to the practice of paragliding and walking & flying in competition" dated less than one year from the day of the race.

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5.2) Mandatory equipment

• A certified paragliding wing in functional conditions

• A certified free flight and/or climbing helmet

• A certified paragliding approved and in functional conditions

• An emergency survival blanket

• A chared phone in functional conditions.

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The race committee may inspect the pilot's equipment at any time. It is not possible to change flight equipment during the race, except in the declared event of deterioration of the equipment and with the authorization of the race committee. For any details on the definition and approval of the various equipment, see the regulations of the FFVL.

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The pilot must be in possession of all specified equipment for the whole race duration. It cannot be carried by anyone other than the pilot himself during the race.

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5.3) Recommended equipment

Air bags harness, rescue parachute, gloves, waterproof jacket, telescopic poles, spare clothes, compass, knife, sunscreen, first aid kit, camel bag, energy bars, sunglasses...

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5.4) Rules of movement

Pilots must stay within the route established for the competition. It is forbidden to cut paths and take another route. The GPS tracks of the ascent routes for the competition are available on the Verti'Cham website. On climbs and penalty laps only walking/trail running is allowed. Any other form of travel is strictly prohibited (swimming, climbing, cycling, etc...).

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5.5) Specific rules

If the pilot is unable to reach the Bois du Bouchet in flight, he must notify the organization by telephone call. The pilot will go by his own means to the Bois du Bouchet. The pilot will be considered as landing off target.

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5.6) Flight rules

• Violation of R30-A (Chamonix helicopter zone) will result in the disqualification of the pilot.

The pilot agrees to respect the visual flight rules that apply to paragliding in accordance with French law. Failure to comply with these rules is a very serious offense that will result in sanctions ranging from penalties to disqualification.

The jury reserves the right to adjust the penalties according to the seriousness of the facts and the underlying intentions.

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5.7) Application of penalties

The race committee reserves the right to adjust the penalties according to the seriousness of the facts and the underlying intentions.

Any pilot who has been caught or suspected of having cheated may be subject to penalties or, more seriously, disqualification.

A penalty can also be decided in the event that the jury deems the conduct of a pilot dangerous for his physical integrity, in particular in his choice to fly in extreme conditions (strong wind, storm nearby). This penalty may apply during the race or afterwards.

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6) Security

6.1) Safety of scoring

Each pilot must ensure after each climb + landing with accuracy goal that his classification has been updated.

 

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6.2) In case of emergency

After arrival on the ground, the pilot must IMMEDIATELY fold the paraglider.

A paraglider on the ground not arranged or not folded means: I NEED RESCUE.

The pilot who flies close to a pilot in difficulty must bring him assistance or warn the Race Director by all means.

The jury will appreciate in a way of compensation of the score for the pilot who will have brought help.

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6.3) International distress signals

If helicopter intervention is necessary:

• Represent the letter “Y”, for YES, by squeezing the legs together and putting the arms in a “V” position.

If the helicopter is not necessary:

• Represent the diagonal of the letter “N” (\) with the arms.

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During the helicopter approach, competitors must hold or remove any objects that could fly away. When the rotor is spinning, always approach the helicopter from the front and wait for the signal from the crew. 

 

 6.4) Temporary interruption of the race

Depending on the weather conditions, the race organizers can temporarily stop take-offs. The race time limits can be adapted accordingly.

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7) The Race

7.1) Race schedule

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Pilots must imperatively cross the finish line of each climb in the allotted time. If a pilot arrives after the time limit, his time will be counted but he will no longer be able to participate in the following climbs.

On the last climb, if the pilot arrives after 5:00 p.m., his climb will not be validated. He will therefore be classified based on his first 2 climbs.

Bonus climbs: If a pilot arrives after the time barrier, the climb will not be counted.

Landing Accuracy:

It is up to the pilot to achieve a safe and sporty landing

There will be 2 identical targets available, the pilot can choose the one that suits him more in case the pilot is alone on the approach. If several pilots are approaching simultaneously, each one should indicate as well as possible the intended target, so as not to get in the way of the other pilot.

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Here are the rules regarding landing accuracy:

• Pumping is prohibited, minimum sink rate is prohibited

• The first foot touching the ground gives the result

• The pilot must finish his landing on both feet, standing up.

• In the event of a fall, the maximum number of penalty laps (4) is applied.

• The jury has a red flag, which will waved if a pilot does not respect one of the rules or if the approach is considered too dangerous. If the flag is waved, regardless of the result of the landing precision, the pilot will have the maximum number of penalty laps (4).

• If the pilot lands on a line, the best result wil be chosen.

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After landing, the jury will announce the result obtained by the pilot and, if required, the number of penalty laps to be performed. It is essential to remember the number of laps to be performed.

If the pilot has penalty laps to complete, the timer starts immediately after the touchdown. The driver must then complete the requested number of laps as quickly as possible. The clock stops as soon as the pilot completes the requested number of laps.

If the pilot has no penalty lap to perform, he puts his wing in a ball, leaves the landing zone as quickly as possible and joins the folding area.

It is forbidden to negotiate on the result of the landing precision.

Target = 1.5m in diameter

Each ring = 2m40 radius

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7.3) Penalty laps

Depending on the result of the landing precision, the pilot must perform the penalty laps.

The penalty laps are to be done immediately after the precision landing.

From the moment of the start of the penalty timer any assistance in folding the wing is prohibited.

The laps are carried out with all the compulsory race gear. The validation of penalty rounds is done using rubber bands. 2 rubber bands = 1 penalty turn.

The rubber bands are to be obtained at each end of the penalty lap. All rubber bands must be given together to the Jury when collected. This allows the pilot to validate his penalties and therefore to stop the penalty time.

1 penalty lap = 600m

If a pilot refuses to complete or does not complete the penalty laps, 1 hour will then be added to the penalty time.

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Example: Following the result of the precision landing of the flight from Flégère, Jade lands in the target, she has no penalty turns. She goes to the folding zone, packs her equipment and then takes advantage of the provided snacks until the start of the climb to Plan de l'Aiguille.

On the same flight from Flégère, Antoine lands within the 3rd ring. The Jury announces “3 ROUNDS”. His penalty timer starts immediately. Antoine must therefore complete 3 penalty laps as soon as possible. On each turn, Antoine collects a rubber band at each end of the lap to be made (2 rubber bands per turn). After finishing the 3 laps Antoine should normally end up with 6 rubber bands. Antoine gives all his rubber bands to the jury. If the number of rubber bands is correct (6), the jury validates the penalty and stops the timer. Antoine can then take advantage of the refueling point until the start of the climb to Plan de l'Aiguille.

Be careful, the timer does not stop until Antoine gives the right number of rubber bands.

 

Target = 0 Penalty Laps

1st ring = 1 penalty lap

2nd ring = 2 penalty laps

3rd ring = 3 penalty laps

Off target = 4 penalty laps

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7.4) Bonus climbs – “Beaux mollets”

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They are intended for the fastest competitors. In order to avoid them having to wait a long time on landing for the start of the next climb, a (non-compulsory) bonus climb may be possible.

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Requirements to be able to complete Bonus Climb n° 1 :

• Arrival before 12:40am time barrier at Plan de l'Aiguille

• Only the top 20 total/top 3 women/top 3 tandems of climb n°2 (Plan de l'Aiguille) can do bonus climb n°1 (subject to arriving before the time barrier -> 12h40)

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Requirements to be able to perform the bonus climb n°2 :

• Arrival before the15h40 time barrier at Plan-Praz

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The bonus climbs are done during the recovery time between climb n°2 and climb n°3 after the penalty laps (if any) are finished.

The start of the bonus climbs is done as a mass start at specific time from the landing. Only the climb time is counted.

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Bonus climb n°1 : Start 13h10

Bonus climb n°2 : Start 16h30

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​After the arrival to takeoff of the bonus climb, a flight with precision landing is to be done, depending on the result, a fixed time penalty is given to the pilot. This penalty is added directly to the bonus climb time. The pilot therefore has no penalty laps to complete.

Target = +0’

1st ring = +1’30

2nd ring = +3

3rd ring = +4’30

Off target = +6’

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Before take-off from the bonus climb, the Jury will place a tape on the pilot's harness to differentiate from other pilots.

The pilots who do the “beaux mollets” bonus climb have a time barrier for arrival at take-off. If the pilot arrives after the time barrier, his bonus climb is not counted.

It is possible to descend on foot after having validated its bonus climb by reaching the take-off point, the 6' penalty will then be attributed to the pilot.

If a pilot arrives to the landing after the start of the next climb, the pilot starts the next part of the race with the delay.

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Example: For example: On the "classic" climb to Plan de l'Aiguille, Jean-Louis arrives to take-off at 14:00, his climb is valid because he arrives before 14:20 (Plan de l'Aiguille time barrier). However, he does not have the possibility of performing the bonus climb because he arrives after the time barrier which gives access to the bonus. He therefore does his flight and his precision landing, performs his penalty laps (if he has any), folds up his equipment, and then takes advantage of the refueling while waiting for the start of the next climb (Plan-Praz)

On this same climb: Béatrice arrives to take-off (Plan de l'Aiguille) at 12:00 as a 3rd female pilot. She is therefore before the bonus time barrier. Depending on her motivation, her fatigue… she has the possibility of doing the bonus climb. She performs her flight, her precision landing, her penalty laps, packs her equipment and then takes advantage of the refueling. At 13:10 the start (mass start) of the bonus climb is given.

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Option n°1 : She does not participate in the bonus climb and continues to benefit from the refueling while waiting for the start of the climb to Plan-Praz.

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Option n°2 : She takes the start of the bonus climb. She therefore has until 13:40 to arrive at the takeoff for the bonus climb, after this time the bonus climb will not be counted. She arrives at take-off from Beaux Mollets at 13:30, after 20-minute climb. She performs her flight, poses with precision landing in the 3rd ring, 4'30 is then added to her bonus climb time, i.e. 24'30. She then packs her equipment, takes advantage of the supplies and prepares for the next climb to Plan-Praz.

Nb: the validation of the bonus time barrier only takes into account the climb time

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It is therefore important to refer to the various time barriers.

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8) Liability

Participation in _Verti'Cham_ is under the sole and entire responsibility of the participants. Everyone is required to get personal insurance for risks related to their participation, risks for themselves and for others. Everyone is required to ensure their physical condition and that of others through their decisions and actions.

The organizers of _Verti'Cham_ decline all responsibility towards participants and third parties for any damage that may occur as a result of participation in the event. By registering for _Verti'Cham_ participants unconditionally accept the above rules, exonerate the organization from any liability towards themselves and undertake to assume alone any liability towards third parties that may arise from their participation and their own actions.

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9) Image rights

By registering, competitors authorize the organization, the club Gratte-ciel and any third parties it may authorize, to capture and use all audio and video recordings and photographs made during the event and to use their names, image, voice, appearance, facts and gestures, any biographical facts, for any commercial, promotional or other purposes, and on any media without any restriction in time, for any type and quantity and for any means of distribution, without this giving them any other rights, remuneration or indemnity. The Club des Gratte-ciel, or any third party it may authorize, will have the right to use, exploit, distribute, reproduce the elements recorded on all known or unknown media such as radio, television, cinema, Internet (...). Moreover, the organizer, the Club des Gratte-ciel will have the right to adapt, alter, interrupt, delete, cut or make any other modification in or on these elements and to use these modified elements without restriction. The Club des Gratte-ciel will have the right to transfer all or part of these rights to present or future contractual partners.