As a team captain, when you register you select which Division you will compete in. Three of the divisions (Competitive/Recreational/ Whatcom County) have sub-divisions based on gender. Currently, there is not a separate division for teams that have less than eight racers. If a team chooses to race with three to seven racers, they pick the division they wish to compete in and must comply with the rules of that division. While we do enforce compliance based on reports, we also rely on The Honor System and ask Team Captains to make sure their entire team is in compliance with the chosen division.

Note: Each team may only register for one division. However, prior to registration closing on Wednesday, team captains can edit their division as needed. After registration is closed, team captains can contact us.

These sub divisions will be:

*Open—(0-3 Women per team or 0-3 legs assigned to female racers)
*Mixed—(4+ Women per team or 4+ legs assigned to female racers)
*Women–(All female team)

What is the Difference between Competitive and Recreational Divisions?
Two main factors – estimated team time and equipment.  Fastest teams in competitive generally finish in 6 – 7 hours while fastest recreational teams usually finish in 7 – 8 hours.  You can look up past team times on the results page to get an idea.

In regards to equipment; your boat often denotes what division you must register in.  Check out details on the canoe and kayak legs of the race guide.
For bike legs, aero bars ARE NOT allowed on either leg in the Recreational Division and Time Trails Bikes, Triathlon Bikes and Disc Wheels are prohibited in all Recreational Divisions of the Road Bike Leg.

If you have any of the above and you are in a Recreational Division, you will be moved to the Competitive Division on race day so Captains, please check with your racers to make sure their equipment is in compliance with your division.

To get finish times, add the elapsed times below to the 7:30 start time for the race.

1. CORPORATE

All team members must be employed by the same employer or civic group.

2. VETERANS

Combined ages of all racers must be 385+ by Race Day.

3. HIGH SCHOOL

All team members must be in high school, any gender. First 20 Teams fully registered get FREE entry. The team must be fully assigned by March 28th to secure free entry.

4. WHATCOM COUNTY TEAMS

All team members must have either (a) established Whatcom County residency more than 30 days prior to the race and physically reside in Whatcom County for the majority of the year or (b) attended a Whatcom County high school and either be on active duty in the military or be a full-time student at an accredited out-of-county educational institution.

5. CAR-FREE TEAMS

All racers, support team members, and all race equipment is transported to and from each race leg without the use of any auto, truck, or other motorized form of transportation.

6. MASTERS

All members of the team must be 40 years of age or older by race day.

7. FAMILY

All team members must be related in some way. This may include but is not limited to step-relations, cousins, in-laws and long term partners.

The Ski to Sea Race is a relay race open to all persons 15 years or older. The relay consists of cross-country skiing, downhill skiing or snowboarding, running, road biking, canoeing, cyclocross biking and sea kayaking. A team will consist of one person for each leg of the race, except for the canoe leg which has two paddlers per canoe. Racers are allowed to compete in multiple legs of the race. A team must have a minimum of three racers and a maximum of eight, with a maximum of three legs per individual. The canoe leg must have two participants regardless of the number or racers per team. The Ski to Sea Race does not allow individuals to complete all legs of the race, as in Iron Man. The Committee reserves the right to disqualify any team who does not abide by established race rules or whose equipment is deemed to be unsafe for the event in which the person is entered. A team may also be disqualified if any team participant or affiliate displays unsportsmanlike conduct or brings illegal equipment into the exchange points.

RACE TIMING 

The race will begin at 7:30 am at Mt. Baker Ski Area. Racing bibs will be color coded by division, and a Timing Chip/Wristband must be passed between teammates at each leg exchange of the race. A team will be disqualified if it does not finish the race with its team Timing Chip/Wristband. All participants must wear a bib designating the team number with the number clearly visible. For the safety of all participants, based on the judgment of the course monitors, if sufficient forward progress has not been made the racer will be disqualified and removed from the course. Any discrepancies will be addressed by the Race Committee. Decisions are final the day of the race. Please note that timing and results for Ski to Sea are managed by our third-party vendor, Pacific Multisports. While they consistently deliver accurate results, we cannot guarantee final outcomes. To improve the chances of prompt and precise results, ensure that each team member understands the timing protocols specific to their relay leg.

PROTEST PROCEDURE & RULES

Upon completion of a racers leg, that racer has fifteen (15) minutes to notify the designated race official at the exchange area of their intent to protest. A protest may only be made by and against racers in the same leg.

The official protest form can be acquired from a Race Official at the Finish Line and will require information regarding the incident including witnesses for verification by the Ski to Sea Race Committee. The protester will be required to fill out the official form and turn it in to the Ski to Sea Race Committee with a $20 fee at the finish area (Marine Park) within thirty (30) minutes after the completion of the race by their team.

A quorum of the Ski to Sea Race Committee will be responsible for the final decision regarding any protest, including any notification by race officials or race monitors who have documented violations of race participant and those not specified in the race guide. Upon completion of the review, the $20.00 will be forfeited to the Ski to Sea Race if the protest is denied or refunded if it is upheld. The Protest Committee’s decision is final and unsportsmanlike conduct by any race team or their affiliates will disqualify that team from the race.

ATHLETE ACCOMMODATIONS

Athletes with disabilities are encouraged to participate in the Ski to Sea Race. Specialized or adaptive equipment and accommodation requests should be submitted by email to race officials at least 30 days prior to the race. Race officials will endeavor to accommodate all reasonable requests which will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Race officials reserve the right to refuse requests if they may negatively impact the safety of any participant, volunteer or spectator or give the athlete a special advantage over other racers.

RACER CONDUCT

The Ski to Sea Race Committee would like to thank each racer for their participation in the Ski to Sea Race. It is you, the participants, who have made the race an exciting and growing success year after year. Although the race is produced by Whatcom Events, it would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement officers who make the Ski to Sea experience happen. These volunteers go out of their way to provide you with the finest and safest racing environment possible and they appreciate knowing that you had a good Ski to Sea race experience.

PLEASE REMEMBER: ANY TEAM MEMBER THAT EXHIBITS UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT OR FAILS TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF ANY RACE VOLUNTEER OR OFFICIAL IS SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE RACE. WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU TREAT ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS WITH THE RESPECT AND APPRECIATION THEIR EFFORTS DESERVE.

Thanks for your cooperation and GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS! -The Ski to Sea Race Committee

COMPETING IN MULTIPLE LEGS

Teams may consist of three to eight racers. Individuals may compete in up to three different legs for one team or multiple teams. If a team chooses to have a racer compete in multiple legs, the travel and gear logistics will be the sole responsibility of the team and their support crew.

The team price remains the same regardless of how many racers are on a team. At this time, there is not a separate division for teams with less than eight racers but teams of all sizes will be eligible for Awards in their registered division. Chip timing will continue during any gear and clothing transitions by an individual racer doing multiple legs in a row. As you cross the finish line of your leg, trigger the chip to complete that leg and start the next, the time will begin as you prepare for your next leg. Team support will be relied on to gather equipment, clothing, personal items, etc at transition points for any individual doing multiple legs.

Traffic conditions and travel times should be carefully considered when planning to compete in multiple legs. For teams planning on three or four racers, please be aware that Highway 542 is closed until the sweeper van departs from Mt Baker at approximately 11:00am and racers competing in multiple legs will be released from the mountain along with all other racers behind the van. The Whatcom County Sheriff does not allow any bicycles on the Running Course so the only way to do a Ski Leg and the Road Bike Leg, is to also do the Run Leg and have your bike staged at the DOT station. Time will not allow racers doing either Ski Leg or the Run Leg to get to Everson to compete in the Canoe Leg due to the highway closure. This means that both ski legs, the run, the road bike and the canoe leg will need to be completed by two racers for a three person team or three racers in the case of a four person team. The average time to complete the canoe leg is 2-2.5 hours so this should allow for a racer driving from the mountain to get to Hovander Park for the Cyclocross Leg or Zuanich Park for the Kayak Leg. Logistics are the most challenging for teams contemplating only three racers, please feel free to contact us for more details if needed.

If you are participating in multiple legs, you must attend the mandatory safety meeting of your first leg on race day. You will be emailed the subsequent safety talks prior to race day and then check in with the Race Official (bright orange vest) of your second/third Leg to receive up-to-date information on Race Day.

EARLY RELEASE PROCEDURE

The intent of Early Release is to ensure that every racer on your team is able to complete their leg. If you participate in Early Release, your team will NOT be eligible to receive an award. However, it will not impact your race time or your team’s overall time. With that said, it does take our results team a few days to piece together all the times so please be patient if your team has multiple early releases.

The best legs to consider early release are the run leg, the cyclocross leg and the kayak leg. To use the Early Release program, you go to the red timing tent to receive a new chip to start your leg prior to the finish of the racer before you. See specific details below:

• Runners – The sweeper van leaves Heather Meadows at approximately 10:15 am and arrives at the run finish at approximately 10:30 am. The best way to gauge if you need Early Release is to estimate your time for the eight mile downhill run, work backwards from 10:20 am (to allow wiggle room) and have a set time you need to start your leg, regardless if you have seen your downhill skier/snowboarder.
• Cyclocross Riders – The prior leg (canoe) is the longest leg of the race as far as time. Because your kayaker has to start by 4:30 pm at the latest, estimate the time it will take you to complete the 13 mile course with a plan to finish your leg by 4:00 pm (to allow wiggle room) and work backwards from that time. If you have not seen your canoe team by that time, Early Release is recommended.
• Kayakers – Early Release starts at 3:00 pm. By 4:30 pm, all remaining kayakers who have not taken advantage of Early Release will be given new timing chips and will be released whether or not their cyclocross teammate has finished.

If you know you are participating on a slower team, we encourage you to sign up for Early Release. It is imperative that ALL timing chips are turned in with a race official or the team may incur a fee. The racer following you would already have a new chip. The EARLIEST time that you can receive Early Release for each leg is 8:30 for the Downhill Ski/Snowboard, 9:00 for the run, 10:00 for the road bike, 1:00 for the canoe, 2:00 for Cyclocross and 3:00 for the Kayak.