Sporting Regulations

Article 1 — Purpose

These regulations define the applicable sporting rules for the Lap On Ice race, which will be held from February 10 to 14, 2027 on Lake Inari, in Finnish Lapland.

Lap On Ice is a sporting challenge on natural ice that combines endurance, performance, exploration of an extreme environment and adaptability. Success relies on skating technique, physical condition, mental strength and the ability to adapt to a polar environment.

Opening: the race is open to all and all have access to a range of skating sports (figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating, etc.). It is recommended to be able to skate for at least one hour continuously.

Article 2 — Participation requirements

Indicative distances

These distances are provided as a guide only and may be adjusted depending on the conditions (see article 7).

Article 3 — Event format

The competition takes place over three skating stages:

• Two daytime stages, held in the morning (Day 1 and Day 3);
• One night stage, held in the afternoon/evening (Day 2).

The night stage is conducted under specific conditions: reduced visibility, limited visual landmarks and a unique atmosphere. It is therefore subject to enhanced safety rules and dedicated mandatory equipment, detailed in Article 4 (particularly the headlamp requirement).

Article 4 — Equipment

4.4 — Skates

All types of skates are permitted. Participants using speed skates acknowledge that long, highly curved blades may be less suitable for the irregular surface conditions of natural ice.

Skate and helmet rental services may be available on site, subject to stock availability.

Article 5 — Start and finish procedures

All participants and accompanying guests are transferred from their accommodation to the skating venue by the organisation. Participants must be present at least 15 minutes before their assigned start time, communicated the previous day.

At the venue, wearing the race bib and timing chip is mandatory. Before each start, participants take part in a supervised warm-up session led by the event coach. A dedicated natural ice testing area is also available to check skates and equipment.

Participants are called progressively to the start line. Starts are organised in waves according to categories in order to ensure a smooth flow on the course, avoid excessive regrouping and limit waiting times in cold conditions.

Participants must comply with the start order programmed into the timing system. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.

At the end of each stage, participants are provided with a hot meal and a changing area before being transferred back to the accommodation site. A daily gathering is then organised for the following day's briefing before dinner and the overnight rest period.

Article 6 — Classifications

To be included in the final overall classification, an individual participant or duo team must complete all three stages of the challenge.

Each participant is timed individually, regardless of category.

For participants registered as a duo, the time retained for the classification corresponds to the time recorded when the second team member crosses the finish line.

A provisional ranking is established after each stage.

The overall classification is determined by adding together the times achieved across all three stages.

Winners are the participants or teams with the lowest cumulative time in their respective category.

The classifications are established in ten categories:

Ten overall classifications are established.

Article 7 — Time limits

For safety and organisational reasons, each stage is subject to a maximum permitted time.

The time limit is communicated before the stage and may be adjusted according to ice conditions and weather conditions.

Any participant who has not crossed the finish line within the allotted time may be withdrawn from the stage by the organisation and assisted by the safety teams. Participants exceeding the time limit are considered outside the classification for the stage concerned and cannot appear in the final overall classification. They may, however, continue participating in subsequent stages on a non-competitive basis.

Article 8 — Assistance

External assistance is prohibited unless expressly authorised by the organisation.

This rule is intended to guarantee sporting fairness and participant safety. Each participant must complete the challenge using only their own resources and the support systems provided by the organisation (checkpoints, safety teams and official refreshment points, where applicable). The use of private support, personal refreshments or unauthorised equipment assistance is not permitted.

Article 9 — Withdrawal

Any participant or team that withdraws from the challenge is removed from the overall classification. They may nevertheless continue participating in the remaining stages on a non-competitive basis (see also Article 2 regarding duo teams).

Article 10 — Safety

Participant safety takes precedence over sporting performance. The organisation may interrupt, neutralise or cancel all or part of the challenge at any time for safety reasons.

Medical support — A medical team is stationed at checkpoints and can be deployed throughout the course.

Prolonged immobility — Due to Arctic temperatures, participants must not remain stationary for extended periods. Any participant immobilised following a fall, equipment failure or medical issue may be assisted by the safety team, whether or not assistance has been requested.

Authority to stop a participant — The Lap On Ice event physician is the sole authority empowered to withdraw a participant from the event if their condition requires it, regardless of the participant's desire to continue. This decision is immediately enforceable and may only be challenged after the stage through the procedure described in Article 12.

All event areas (warm-up zone, course, checkpoints and finish area) are covered by the event safety system.

Article 11 — Penalties

The following may result in a penalty or exclusion:

• Failure to comply with safety instructions;
• Dangerous behaviour;
• Premature start;
• Any form of cheating;
• Disrespectful behaviour towards participants, volunteers or organisers.

Article 12 — Officiating and protests

Officiating is carried out by a jury composed of the Race Director, the Safety Manager and a representative of the organisation.

Protests — Any protest relating to a ranking or to the conduct of a stage must be submitted in writing to the Race Director within 60 minutes of the publication of the results for the stage concerned. The jury shall review the protest as soon as reasonably possible. Its decision is final and binding.

Article 13 — Briefings

A daily briefing is organised on the evening before each stage at the accommodation site. Attendance at these briefings is mandatory for all skating participants.

The briefing covers: ice conditions for the following day; any course or distance modifications; stage-specific safety instructions; as well as start wave composition and starting order.

Article 14 — Amendments to the regulations

The organisation reserves the right to amend these regulations at any time. Participants will be informed of any changes through appropriate communication channels.

Article 15 — Awards

A Finisher Medal is awarded to every participant who successfully completes all three stages of the challenge.

In addition, awards are presented to the winners of the overall classification in the following categories:

A total of ten titles are awarded during the Lap On Ice closing ceremony, rewarding sixteen participants.

As part of the event's charitable commitment, a financial contribution will be awarded to one or more associations represented by participants. The allocation criteria, beneficiary organisations and award amounts will be announced by the organisation at a later stage.

Article 16 — The spirit of the event

Lap On Ice is, above all, a human and charitable adventure. The event promotes self-improvement, mutual support between participants, respect for fellow competitors, staff and volunteers, as well as respect for the Arctic environment that hosts the challenge.

Each participant undertakes to preserve the natural environment of Lake Inari and to behave, both during and outside the competition, in a manner consistent with the values of the event.