REGULATIONS Trofeo Mezzalama

24th Mezzalama Trophy – 26 April 2025 (alternative date: 27 April)

REGULATIONS

1 INTRODUCTION

The “Mezzalama Trophy" is an international ski mountaineering race with classic equipment. It is part of the Grande Course calendar, the FISI calendar and the ISMF calendar, and is open to teams composed of two athletes, who may be of different nationalities.

The race takes place along a high-altitude route in severe environmental and weather conditions. It often exceeds 4,000 metres with mountaineering type difficulty.

The Mezzalama Trophy is strongly influenced by the general weather conditions and those at high altitudes and it may be postponed, the route may be altered, or, in extreme cases, the event may be cancelled (details in points 2.13 and 2.14)

On the basis of these characteristics, participation in the Mezzalama Trophy requires:

a good knowledge of the terrain and dangers at high altitudes and the ability to handle any unforeseen circumstances, such as strong winds and very low temperatures

a thorough physical and psychological preparation, team spirit and solidarity, unconditional acceptance of the following regulations and the decisions taken by the Race Organisers

2 GENERAL RULES

2.1 Conditions for participation

Participation in the Mezzalama Trophy is open to teams composed of 2 athletes, each of whom must have a Grande Course 2024-2025 card and, in the case of Italian athletes, a FISI membership card.

Athletes must have a valid MEDICAL CERTIFICATE stating their fitness to practice sport for the season in question and must be at least 21 years old in 2025.

Both athletes must submit and sign, under their own responsibility, a short ski mountaineering and mountaineering curriculum vitae, confirming details of races they have entered, as well as experience at and familiarity with high altitude.

Each athlete’s curriculum vitae will be of essential importance for deciding whether to admit the team. Applications in which athletes have not filled in this part of the form will not be taken into consideration.

The name given to the team may refer to the Skiing Club, the Sports Association it belongs to, the sponsor, or anything else. In the event of team names being deemed inappropriate, the OC reserves the right to change the team name using the surnames of the two athletes.

2.2 Registration

450 TEAMS WILL BE ACCEPTED. This number may vary according to the mountain conditions, and in any case at the sole discretion of the race organisers.

The best ranked in Grande Course circuit races and in the most prestigious ski mountaineering competitions will have precedence.

Once 450 teams have been confirmed, additional teams with suitable characteristics will be added to a waiting list and selected on a first-come basis in the event of other teams cancelling.

The registration fee is € 800.00 for each team admitted and includes, for each athlete, organisation, security and assistance services during the event, refreshment points along the route, 1 participation prize (starter gift) offered by technical sponsor Dynafit, the first refreshment point at the finish line, lunch on the day of the event, and transportation from Gressoney-La Trinité to Breuil-Cervinia.

The entry fee does NOT include hotel accommodation. Teams must book their own accommodations.

The official event web site www.trofeomezzalama.it will include a link to a list of hotels available at a special price with telephone numbers for more information.

By registering, all athletes exonerate the organisers from all liability regarding damage to persons or property that may occur before, during or after the event or in any case in relation to the same.

ON LINE REGISTRATION from 31 January to 21 April 2025, exclusively at www.trofeomezzalama.it

The registration fee must be paid at the time of registration.

If payment is not made at the time of registration, the team will remain registered in the system for 10 days, after which it will be deleted.

If the team is not admitted, the Organising Committee will refund the entire fee paid.

INFO:

E-mail: mezzalama@trofeomezzalama.it

Tel. +393485252973

2.3 Hospitality

The registration fee does NOT include hotel accommodations. Teams must book their own accommodations.

A list with descriptions of hotels available at a special price will be published on the official web site www.trofeomezzalama.it.

2.4 Categories

Female (single category)

Male (single category)

Mixed (single category)

2.5 Results

There will be an overall ranking, overall male results, overall female results, and overall mixed team results

2.6 Starter gift

All athletes will receive a participation prize from Dynafit.

2.7 Description of route

Breuil Cervinia 2,020 m start

Colle del Theodulo 3,316 m checkpoint

Colle del Breithorn 3,826 m 1st cut-off time checkpoint and refreshment point

Verra Pass 3,848 m checkpoint and refreshment point

Castore 4,226 m checkpoint

Colle del Felik 4,068 m checkpoint

Quintino Sella Hut 3,585 m 2nd cut-off time checkpoint and refreshment point

Lyskamm Ridge West 3,900 m checkpoint

Lyskamm Ridge 4,272 m checkpoint and refreshment point

Lyskamm Ridge East 3,900 m checkpoint

4,050 metres altitude 4,050 m checkpoint

Città di Mantova Hut 3,500 m checkpoint

Alpe Endre 2,609 m checkpoint

Alpe Gabiet 2,342 m checkpoint

Gressoney La Trinité 1,637 m finish

Overall approximate distance 45 km

Altitude differences uphill 3,172 m

downhill 3,555 m

The route covered by the race may undergo variations during the competition if necessary due to environmental conditions.

The decision will be at the sole discretion of the Race Organisers.

The entire route will be marked with red poles: the stretches to be covered on foot, roped or with crampons, pursuant to point 3.2 below, will be appropriately indicated by the judges.

Athletes are required to follow the course markings closely and abide by the indications of the Race Organisers imparted by race staff and course marshals, on pain of being disqualified.

For teams that are forced to withdraw or are beyond maximum time limits, two routes for returning downhill will be marked out, to be travelled independently, in addition to the return route along the skiing pistes via Colle del Breithorn on Breuil Cervinia:

1 – Verra Pass (return to Ayas Valley) – Ayas Valley Guides’ Hut (3,425 m) – Mezzalama Hut (3,036 m) – Pian di Verra Sup. (2,380 m) – Saint Jacques (1,689 m)

2 – Quintino Sella Hut (3,585 m - return to the Gressoney Valley)– Bettolina Pass (2,905 m) – Colle del Bettaforca (2,672 m) – Stafal (1,825 m)

The competition judges will remove the leg labels from both competitors. Breast labels must be placed in rucksacks.

There will be 4 refreshment points along the route: Colle del Breithorn, Verra Pass, Quintino Sella Hut, and Lyskamm Ridge

2.8 Equipment

Each athlete is directly responsible for all material used during the race. By registration, the athlete guarantees its technical efficiency and compliance with these Regulations. For safety reasons, each individual athlete must carry his/her own material. Exceptions are skis and sealskins, which can be carried in stretches on foot, by one of his/her team members. Skis must be fixed to the back of the rucksack (not in front from shoulder to shoulder) with the appropriate safety straps.

Personal and team materials will be checked at the start in Breuil-Cervinia, at the finish in Gressoney La Trinité and at any time during the race if the judges deem it is necessary.

During the race, replacement of equipment is allowed only in the event of ascertained breakage. Such ascertainment shall be made by the nearest checkpoint. Any irregularities noted will signify immediate disqualification of the team.

In the event of doubts regarding their equipment, athletes can have it checked and stamped on 25 April in Valtournenche during consignment of race breast labels and bags.

2.9 Obligatory INDIVIDUAL equipment

- skis: laminated for at least 90% of their total length. Minimum width: 80 mm in the front part, 60 mm under the boot and 70 mm in the rear part. Minimum height: 160 cm for men and 150 cm for women. The height and width declared by the manufacturer will be considered.

- bindings: ski mountaineering type bindings with ski stoppers, with the possibility to block the boot in the rear part during descent and with front and lateral safety release"Mixed" bindings, i.e. front and rear of different make, are not allowed.

Minimum weight of the two skis including bindings: 1500 g for men and 1400 g for women.- poles: alpine or cross-country (carbon or other material) with maximum diameter of 25 mm excluding padding. Metal baskets are not allowed.

- 3 sealskins: when not applied to the skis, they must be put away in the rucksack or ski suit. Use of adhesive tape or an equivalent system to enhance their gliding is strictly forbidden for environmental reasons;

- boots: must be tall enough to cover the ankles, and prepared for quick, secure attachment of crampons. Must have buckles on the shell and cuff and a secure locking system for the angle between cuff and shell. All ski mountaineering fastening systems and boot soles placed on the market by the manufacturers will be accepted, provided they have not been altered.

- crampons: it is permitted to use crampons with 6 front points in steel and 4 rear points in light alloy (EN 893).

- Avalanche Transceiver device: set to the international frequency of 457 kHz, conforming to standard EN 300 718, with 3 antennas. It must be worn in contact with the body and must not be visible.

- harness: EN 12277/C compliant.

- rucksack capable of containing all the equipment required under the regulations. Must have shoulder straps and two ski straps. The fastening of the crampon pocket must face the rear of the rucksack

- lower body clothing: three layers. Base layer, a pair of trousers or ski suit in the competitor’s size and a pair of wind breaker over-trousers with thermal padding (minimum padding weight 250 g).

- upper body clothing: three long-sleeved layers in the competitor’s size.

Base layer, a long-sleeved ski suit or second layer and a wind breaker jacket with thermal padding (synthetic or down, minimum padding weight 300 g). One of the garments worn (second or third layer) must have a hood.

Any changes or reductions of the required clothing will be announced exclusively at the briefing held on 25 April, on the basis of the weather forecast and the current conditions at high altitudes.

- gloves: must cover the entire hand up to the wrist and be worn for the entire duration of the race.

- a second pair of mittens

- UV-protection sunglasses

- 1 pair of ski goggles

- 1 EN 568 certified ice screw, min. 16 cm, hanging from the harness

- 1 survival blanket with minimum dimensions of 1.00 x 1.80 metres;

- skimo racing helmet that meets both EN 12492 and EN 1077 class B standards. It must be worn for the entire duration of the race.

– EN 958:2017 certified via ferrata set with energy absorbing system

- 2 carabiners with safety locking devices. “Twist lock 2” automatic locking devices are recommended according to standards EN 12275/B and EN 362/B

IMPORTANT: the 2 carabiners are in addition to those included in the via ferrata set

- a snow shovel with minimum dimensions of the scoop of 20cm x 20cm and minimum length with handle inserted measuring 50 cm, unaltered. The term "snow shovel" is defined by the manufacturer

- a snow probe of minimum length 2.40 m and minimum diameter 10 mm, without any modifications. The term "snow probe" is certified by the manufacturer.

- 1 ice axe: head min length 45 cm, compliant with standard EN 13089.

2.10 Obligatory TEAM equipment

- dynamic rope (standard UIAA 101), approved as individual rope, min. diameter 8.5mm, length 20m

Elastic supports are not allowed

1 first aid kit containing: 1 elastic bandage, latex gloves, sterile gauze pad, plasters, disinfectant wipes and 1 whistle.

2.11 CHANGE OF ATHLETES

During the months preceding the race and until 20 April 2025, teams registered for the Trophy and having paid may, at no additional cost, replace athletes in their team. Athletes replacing other previously selected and registered athletes must be in possession of Grande Course card and a suitable curriculum vitae.

2.12 WITHDRAWAL

In the event of a team deciding to withdraw, registration fees will be reimbursed exclusively

as follows:

up to 2 March, € 80 will be withheld from the registration fee
from 3 through 31 March, € 240 will be withheld from the registration fee
from 1 through 15 April, € 400 will be withheld from the registration fee
From 16 April no reimbursements will be made

2.13 Postponement

Should adverse weather conditions prevent the Trophy from being staged on 26 April, the race may be rescheduled for 27 April or for the following week, depending on the weather forecast.

2.14 Cancellation

Should adverse weather conditions not permit the race to take place on the established day or on one of those foreseen as an alternative, the race will be cancelled and registration fees will NOT be reimbursed.

3 CONDUCT DURING THE RACE

3.1 Start.

Lined up, before sunrise.

Athletes must be at the starting line at least an hour before the start to have their avalanche transceiver and crampons inspected. In this phase the avalanche transceiver shall be turned on and worn in contact with the body. Crampons must be held in the hand.

3.2 Route and changes in team grouping

Rope may not be used from the start at Breuil Cervinia to Colle del Teodulo.

From the Colle del Breithorn to the Città di Mantova Hut, participants must proceed roped together.

From the Verra Pass to the Castore Summit to Colle del Felik and from the foot of the Lyskamm Ridge to the base of its eastern face the teams must proceed with crampons, as in all other situations indicated by the Race Organisers. Before reaching Gressoney La Trinité members of each team must regroup as teams, that are required to reach the finish as a joint unit.

3.3 Controls

The teams must proceed and present themselves at the checkpoints as a joint unit. Race bibs must be fully visible.

At some checkpoints, there will be a medical check-up, and the medical team may decide to forbid athletes who show clear and serious signs of fatigue or other ailments from continuing the race.

Maximum time check at the Colle del Breithorn will be 3.00 hours (3.15 hours for female and mixed teams) from departure. Teams who are outside this time may not proceed and must return to Breuil Cervinia.

Maximum time check at the Quintino Sella Hut will be 6.00 hours (6.15 hours for female and mixed teams) from departure.

Teams who are outside this time will have to abandon the race at the Quintino Sella Hut. The competition judges will remove the leg labels from both competitors. Breast labels must be placed in rucksacks.

A safe route for returning downhill will be marked out. Competitors who have withdrawn must travel this route independently.

They must not continue along the competition route.

Individual and team equipment may be inspected at the finish and at any time during the race if deemed necessary by the judges.

3.4 Abandoning the race

In the event of being forced to abandon the race, teams must go to the nearest checkpoint and give notice: they will then be handed over to the rescue service.

Should 1 team member be obliged to withdraw, the remaining member is absolutely forbidden to continue the race, even outside the rankings.

3.5 Accidents

In the event of an accident, inform the nearest checkpoint or Ski Patrol Aid along the route.

3.6 Complaints

Complaints must be made in writing to the Organising Committee 15 min after the team has crossed the finishing line. Complaints must be duly justified and a processing fee of €50.00 will be payable. All decisions taken by the Jury will be final and irrevocable.

3.7 Penalties and disqualification

Loss of crampons, non-compliant use of the rope, taking shortcuts, or any other conduct that jeopardises the safety of the roped team or of the other competitors in the race will result in immediate disqualification.

Waste left along the route: 3 minutes.

For all aspects not covered by these Regulations, reference is made to the International Regulations.

3.8 Extra supplies and external aid

No type of technical assistance to athletes is allowed. External replenishments are admitted in the areas designated for official checks.

3.9 Doping

Doping is strictly prohibited. Control procedures and sanctions correspond to IOC and WADA recommendations. The official list of forbidden substances is that established by WADA.