Information on Track-Races Disciplines at Unicon16
This description provides an overview over the various track race unicycle disciplines at Unicon16 and their procedures.Specific characteristics of Unicon16 competitions are being introduced in order to offer each participant important information and give everybody the chance to adjust their practice accordingly.
Location and Time Schedule
The track races are being held at the Fischzucht stadium, where there are 8 lanes that can be used. We have planned 5 days for track race competitions, which are scheduled as follows:On 21st July, after the 10km races, we will have a special track race starting workshop to give you all the chance to practice starting with the used false start monitoring system.
23rd July, whole day for 100m races, open to all participants, in parallel IUF-Slalom (obstacle) and Slow-Races
24th and 25th July limited disciplines (one foot, wheel walk, relay races, 400m and 800m)
26th July, whole day for all track race finals (except track coasting)
29th July, afternoon only, track coasting incl. final
Track events are going to be held at the same time as the freestyle competitions. Therefore, we have divided the age groups into two large groups, in order to avoid interferences: Under 15 years(0-14) and over 15 years (15 up).
Example: On July 23rd, 100m races of age groups 15+ are held in the morning, while at the same time freestyle group competitions for age groups 15 and under are being held at the gym.
The distance from the stadium to the freestyle gym is only 30 meters.
The IUF-Slalom (former „Obstacle“) as well as the Slow Races are being held in parallel to the track races within the Stadium.
General Information for all Track Race Disciplines:
Rules of the IUF Rulebook 2011 apply (will be published soon).Riders of the age group 0-10 compete with a 20“ wheel, all others use 24“ wheels (except 100m unlimited).
Obligatory Protection:
Knee pads, shoes, gloves and also helmets must be worn during all track races and also during warm-up practice in the stadium. Only for the slow races helmets are optional.Timing and Event Specific Judging:
For all track races we will have electronic time measurement.For the 100m, 400m, 800m, One Food and Wheel Walk races we will use a specially for unicycling racing developed system including false start monitoring per individual lane. This system was developed by the Swiss Unicycle Racing Union. We are very happy to use this perfect system to get an as fair as possible competition.
A detailed description on this false start monitoring system you can download on the Unicon16 homepage (“presentation false start monitoring system.pdf”).Link
To make sure that we do not get any running starts not caught by this electronic system, we will have at least two judges at the starting line in addition, only watching out for running starts. Running starts will be handled like false starts detected by the electronic system. Therefore please make sure that you practice your starting behavior accordingly.
The One-Food 5m line will be also monitored by video to have an objective judging possibility in case of any uncertainties.
Heats / Starts:
All information concerning starting number and starting times are being communicated at registration. 8 riders will start in one heat, while at the same time up to 4 more heats are being prepared in order to run the competition smoothly. Only competitors are allowed in the stadium. Trainers and parents can accompany their competitors only within the preparation areas. For young riders or well as in case of rain we will have enough personal to help the riders during their start preparation.It is crucial for all competitors to be at the start at their starting time.
Only ONE false starts is tolerated per heat. Riders causing the second or more false starts will be directly disqualified, even if it was their first one personally.
Each lane has a single starting post assigned to the lane. Each rider can position this starting post individually as long as it does not interfere with the false start sensor. The base of the starting post is about 40cm square
Video Start 1 und Video Start 2
If a rider is not showing up for multiple races he registered for, he/she will be disqualified of all following races. We are choosing this way of acting, in order to make it possible to compete for all the people that really want to.
Unicycle Racks:
Due to security reasons, there may not be any unicycles at the stands. There are going to be unicycle racks on which they may be parked.Tracks / Starting Zone:
In order to run the Track competitions smoothly, only athletes are being allowed on the track. Coaches and spectators may watch from the stands.Disciplines Specific Details:
800m:
Start will be in lanes for the first 100m (Stagger start)IUF-Slalom (Obstacle):
IUF-Slalom is open to all participants.Start: After the starter gives clearance to start, the competitor has a time window of 10 seconds to start. The time measurement starts when the photoelectric barrier on the starting line is activated. The finish is measured exactly in the same way on the finishing line.
To make sure that we have a defined starting situation without flying starts, we have an additional photoelectric barrier 50cm behind the starting line close to the bottom. This sensor must not be activated before the start sensor. If this flying start sensor is activated, the start is invalid and a bell sound occurs to call back the rider.
This is not counted as a false start, which means that it will not cause any disqualification.
The finishing line may be touched or even overridden when circling around the last cone as the photoelectric barrier on the finishing line is only activated when circling around the last cone.
Cones will be used with a height of 50cm and a 30cm base.
The 8 fastest riders (female and male) will qualify for the IUF-Slalom finals on 26th July in front of the grandstand. Each finalist will have two tries again and the better try within this final will count for the placement.
In this way all finalists will have the same competition conditions and spectators will be able to watch the world best riders.
Relay (4x100m):
We have two age groups. The age group 15 years and older will start on 24th and the relay teams 14 years and younger will start on 25th July. A final race of the 8 fastest teams of both age groups will have one relay final on 26th July.The baton is a standard IAA certified aluminum one, diameter = 38mm, length = 29cm and weight about 60 grams.
Riders may remount if necessary, and must pick up the baton, if it is dropped.
If the baton is not handed over within the marked areas, the team will be disqualified. During the hand over of the baton both riders must not touch the ground with any part of their body.
The starting and preparation area of the relay team members on the track is not defined in unicycling. Therefore the riders can start at any position on the track within their lane.
Slow Races:
Slow Races are open to all participants. Nevertheless, there are going to be minimum times: 20 seconds for the forwards competition, 15 seconds for the backwards competition.Riders, who cannot outperform these times, will not be taken into account for the evaluation. Therefore only riders who have done better than these times before should sign up for Slow Races.
As mentioned before, we will have also electronic time measurement for the slow races to make sure that the judges can fully concentrate on judging the proper execution of these disciplines.
The finals of the 8 best riders (female and male) will also be videotaped to make sure that we can judge very objective for still stand and back movement. We will have 4 expert judges for the finals. If anyone of these judges does see any inaccuracy we will have to look on the video in slow motion. Every finalist has again two tries and the better one counts for the ranking.
The slow race finals will take place directly in front of the grandstand in the stadium. Only in case of bad weather conditions we will run this discipline in the ice-hall.
Special boards with 2cm thickness will be used for the 15cm and 30cm slow races. For the 60cm (0-10 years, backwards) we will mark lines on the ground which may be touched but not overridden.
Track Coasting:
This competition is done in three separate lanes where three riders can run the competition in parallel. Each on these lane consist of 2 ½ standard track lanes. The riders can start individually after a short concentration period.Distance in measured in steps of meters, which are going to be marked on the ground.
Example: If a competitor dismounts his/her unicycle between the marks of 10 and 11 meters, judges are going to note 10 as a result.
As in all other track races the best 8 riders (male and female separate) will qualify for the final, which will he held at the end of this competition on 29th July.
If two riders of the top 3 stayed on their unicycles for the same distance in the final, the second try is taken into account for evaluation. If there is still no clear result after that, the riders in question will get a third try, at the same time.
