Twin & Mass Starts

 

My first encounter with twin starts was in the French Alps on snow. John Patchett and myself were paired up at the back of the 4 dog class on sleds. 5 4 3 2 1 and we were off sprinting for the 1st marshal who was, depending on the course 300 to 400ft away. This marshal if the teams are fairly equal will indicate to the slightly behind team to draw back. Ordinary over taking rules apply there after.

Most pair’s pre decide which team will lead at the first corner. This is an exhilarating experience with both teams striving to dominate the other.

If used sensibly can benefit both teams, ie. the stronger mature team leading up the hills and the faster teams leading down. The no row in these races certainly comes into its own and any courses used for this type of race must have wide enough tracks at both starts and finish to handle both teams. All teams seeded, this way pairs should be fairly close in times. Starts should be partitioned off so that dogs are moving before seeing another team. Sense and sensibility must be used in all situations. Attacking dogs should not be tolerated; nippy dogs used with caution may work. Marshal reports may disqualify dogs if altercations happen.

I had a nippy dog in France, placed on the proper side and passing or being passed and braking at the right time, this dog was not a problem.

Then came the mass start this race follows the same rules follows the same rules as the twin start. Basically 20 teams 2 rows of 10 set off at the same time for about a small football fields length funneling into a single track, again normal passing rules apply after this point.

Mass start 5 4 3 2 1 off and running teams on the left, teams on the right all speeding forward, all striving to get ahead, you have got to try this it’s great. My nippy dog in this situation was on a short neckline but let me assure you he realized in this race the whole world was bigger than him.

If you are lucky and get paired or are in the mass start, you will naturally get paired with a like speeded team and you both will be slung shot past each other when suitable it’s a fantastic feeling. I recommend that you and your dogs try this.

 

Basic Rules

  1. No attacking dogs

  2. Marshal’s word on domineering teams & attacking dogs disqualified.

  3. 1st marshal indicates

2nd race before first turn

  1. Normal rules after 1st marshal

  2. Use common sense in over taking or being over taken.  

 

Shane Murray