2015 Winterfest and U.S. National Toboggan Championships

A string of wicked cold post-New Year’s weather has produced a thick cover of ice atop Hosmer Pond once again, and final preparations for the 2015 U.S. National Toboggan Championships are underway. Can you believe we’ve been doing this wild and crazy competitive traditional wood toboggan racing event now for 25 years? We can’t either, but we have, and it’s time to once again celebrate the tradition and fun we have all nurtured since 1991.

2015 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Racers: Arrive early and plan to spend the day!
Ice conditions in chute subject to change.
All times are approximate. Announcer will update the schedule.

Friday, Feb. 6
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Team registration and toboggan inspection in Tobogganville
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Toboggan chute open to public, cond. permitting, $5/ person
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Bonfire, food vendors, souvenir sales, and skiing and snowboarding on Snow Bowl slopes
3 to 7 p.m. — Down the Chute Beer & Wine challenge - West Bay Rotary Tent
4 to 6:30 p.m. — 2-and 3-person division FIRST RUNS (optional)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Bonfire, food vendors, souvenir sales, and skiing and snowboarding on Snow Bowl slopes

Saturday, Feb. 7
7 to 11 a.m. — Team registration and toboggan inspection in Tobogganville
7 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Bus shuttle service from downtown Camden $2 roundtrip–Shuttle bus pick-up @ Village Green ($10 limited on-site parking)
8 a.m. — FIRST RUNS* for remainder of 2- and 3-person division; Optional SECOND RUNS immediately after first runs
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Snow Bowl open for skiing and snowboarding
10 a.m. — SECOND RUNS for 2- and 3-person division (Second run is optional for fast times)
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Chili Challenge - West Bay Rotary Tent
11:30 a.m. — EXPERIMENTAL DIVISION FIRST RUNS
Noon to 1 p.m. — COSTUME CONTEST PARADE in Tobogganville with guest judges
1 p.m. — FIRST RUNS for 4-person teams

Sunday, Feb. 8
7:30 to 9:30 a.m. — Pancake Breakfast, West Bay Rotary tent
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Bus shuttle service from downtown Camden $2 roundtrip –Shuttle bus pick-up @ Village Green ($10 limited on-site parking)
9 a.m. — SECOND RUNS for 4-person teams (Optional for fast times)
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Snow Bowl open for skiing and snowboarding
11 a.m. — EXPERIMENTAL division SECOND RUNS (Optional for fast times)
11:30 a.m. — WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (4-person winning teams, past 25 years, one run, fastest wins)
Noon — FINAL RUNS - begin with 2-person teams, then proceed with 3-person, 4-person and experimental teams (two runs, fastest total wins)

TOP 25 — 2-person division
TOP 25 — 3-person division
TOP 50 — 4-person division
TOP 25% — Experimental teams

3 p.m. (approx) — Awards ceremony in Tobogganville

This year’s batch of souvenirs has something for everyone, as Camden celebrates the 25th anniversary of the U.S. National Toboggan Championships. Click the headline, or click here, and pre-order your merchandise to bring with you to Tobogganville Feb. 6-8. You can also order your souvenirs and ship them home so you don’t have to worry about lugging them back with you.

These souvenirs, along with new water bottles and logo bracelets, will also be available for sale in Tobogganville during race weekend. So be sure and stop by the Souvenir Shed and check it out!

After watching the serious toboggan sliding Saturday, Feb 7, spectators and racers can slide over to the West Bay Rotary's Chili Challenge, held under the big tent near the entrance to Tobogganville.

The challenge has become the annual culinary highlight of the U.S. National Toboggan Championships weekend, when area restaurants, chefs and individuals take each other on for friendly competition — and the hungry public gets to sample their creations. Eight restaurants will be vying for the win this year. Chili samples will be dished out from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday of Toboggan National weekend.

Judging will be by individual secret ballot, cast by the tasters, for the "Best of the Best" 2015 bragging rights. The winners will be announced before racing ends.

Admission donation is $9 for adults and $6 for kids ..... And you will get a lot of food! All proceeds are being divided between the Camden Snow Bowl and West Bay Rotary Club in support of their local civic charitable activities.

This is a great chance to enjoy steaming chili while supporting two community organizations dedicated to supporting activities in the local area. A win-win!

(Participating contenders for the 2014 Chili Challenge, hosted by West Bay Rotary during the U.S. National Toboggan Championships.)

Traditional Toboggan Class Rules

Definitions:
Toboggan: a long, narrow, flat-bottomed sled, made of thin boards with front curved upward and backward.
Slats: a thin, narrow strip of wood used to construct a toboggan.
Pad: a soft cushioning material that is located under the riders and on top of the toboggan.
Curve: The front upward curve of a toboggan, which must be large enough to cover the first set of rider's feet.
Running Surface: The bottom surfaces of the slats, which may come in contact with the chute or ice.

All Traditional Toboggans:
1. Must be of traditional shape and construction, wooden, and must not exceed 50 lbs with pad. All sleds must be solidly constructed and all parts securely fastened.
2. Must be a minimum 15 ¾" wide and a maximum of 20" wide.
3. Must be 6 to 12 feet in length. 6' toboggans will be allowed for the kids and 2 person divisions. All other divisions must be 7 to 12 feet in length.
4. Must have a pad that provides cushioning, made of a soft material and placed under all riders. All to boggans must have some kind of hand-hold for each rider, i.e. rope or wooden handles.
5. The front of the toboggan must have a steam bent, laminated or kerfed open curl with no sides, and is large enough to protect the front riders' feet. (Curl diameter-6"min. – 18"max)
6. The curl must exhibit a curl angle with a minimum vertical measurement of 3 inches. Wedge shaped fronts will not be permitted. Refer to diagram for further clarification.
7. The toboggan must have a flat bottom (running surface), constructed of a series of wooden slats,or have a minimum of three slats each extending a maximum of ¼" below the remaining slats. In the case of a toboggan with three or more slats extending below the others, the extended slats must all be the same thickness and have a flat surface (parallel with the ice) and be a minimum width of 2". All slats must be within ¼" of the adjacent slat. Refer to diagram for further clarification.
8. No plywood running surfaces will be allowed. Plywood may be used to create structural rigidity but no plywood will be allowed on the bottom of the toboggan in contact with the ice.
9. Any design work at the back of the sled must occur within the last 6 inches of the toboggan.
10. Will not have any synthetic fibers, (i.e. fiberglass or carbon fiber) involved with their construction. Wood grain must be visible.
11. Must not have exposed screws, sharp edges or broken boards.
12. Must not have any substances used as bottom preparation that will impact the chute, the ice or subsequent racers. There will be a toboggan inspector at the top of the chute who will inspect the bottom of each toboggan. If any such substance is identified, it must be wiped off before racing.
13. No modifications or bottom preparation for racing are permitted after second inspection.
14. Damaged toboggans that are repaired must be re-inspected.
15. Must be inspected and approved by officials for design and safety. Decisions by race officials are final and without recourse.
16. All winners are subject to re-inspection.
17. Commercial advertising including banners and signage is prohibited by non-sponsors at the event.

Experimental Toboggan Class
The above rules for the traditional toboggan will apply except for the following modifications.

1. Plywood bottoms will be permitted.
2. Any synthetic materials will be allowed. No metal will be permitted on the bottom or sides or in any other place that may come in contact with the ice or the chute. The sled shall be a minimum of 17" wide and not wider than 20".
3. There is no maximum weight limitation on sled and accompanying pad.
4.There is no height restriction on experiment toboggans.
However, all parts of the toboggan must be securely fastened to the toboggan. Removable covers, canvas covers, mylar covers are not allowed. All riders MUST be visible if viewed from above.
5. The front of the toboggan shall have a bevel, curl or cone that will not cause damage to the ice or chute. The forward most part of the toboggan must be at least 3"above the bottom of the toboggan. See diagram.

Experimental toboggan builders are strongly encouraged to consult with the US Toboggan National Committee regarding sled design and construction. Safety is paramount in all decisions. Tom Cox, rules committee contact: coxgtom@myfairpoint.net

The Experimental Class will be open to 2, 3 and 4 person divisions, but there will be only one award given for the fastest combined time of two runs.

Only one team per sled is allowed in the experimental class.

All Toboggan Riders:
1. No expos ed skin except face. Face-masks and properly fitted ski helmets are recommended.
2.All body parts inside the toboggan (No pushing or pulling at the start)until the toboggan exits the chute.
3. Nothing may hang off the toboggan (long hats, scarves, or costumes must be tucked in).
4. All riders must fit safely on the sled and be seated facing forward.
5. All riders gripping rope must have thumbs back or in other manner approved by chute operators.
6. Towing rope may not pass over heads or around bodies or necks.
7. No children under 42" tall will be allowed.
8. Competitors must follow instructions of the race officials at all times. Race officials reserve the right to refuse any persons or equipment deemed unsafe or not in the spirit of these rules and of the competition.

Intoxication will result in disqualification.

Intoxicated persons will not be allowed in the chute.

These rules are for safety reasons: Any persons not following the rules will be disqualified and will not be allowed to make further runs.

Special Award Categories:
All female team, High school team (all members from same school), college team (all members represent the same college) and kid's team (4-8thgrade). Oldest teamgoes to the oldest average age team.

Winners will be determined by the fastest single run on Friday, Saturday or Sunday whether or not you qualify for the finals.
Costume Contest: awards will be made to the 1st, 2nd& 3rd teams with the best costumes determined by a panel of judges.

Racing Format:
The following is applicable to all 2, 3, and 4 person teams and experimental teams.

To Qualify for the Finals:
Each team is entitled to two qualifying runs.
The fastest time of either run determines the eligible teams for the Finals.
Only one run is required.

The Finals:
The Finals are made up of the following:
• 2-Person Teams: Top 25 qualifying teams
• 3-Person Teams: Top 25 qualifying teams
• 4-Person Teams: Top 50 qualifying teams
• Experimental: Top 5 qualifying teams
Each team is required to make two runs.
The fastest combined times of both runs determines the final team standings.
All runs must be made in the published racing time slots as required by the US National Toboggan
Committee.
* In the event of a tie – winner goes to the fastest qualifying run time.

The US National Toboggan Committee reserves the right to change the rules at any time. Race Officials reserve the right to refuse any persons or equipment deemed unsafe or not in the spirit of these rules and of the competition. Intoxication will result in disqualification.