As a Team Captain, you will select your team’s division during registration. Three divisions—Competitive, Recreational and Whatcom County—include subdivisions based on gender. Currently, there is no separate division for teams with fewer than eight racers. If a team chooses to race with three to seven members, they must select a division and comply with its rules. While compliance is enforced based on reports, we also rely on the Honor System and ask Team Captains to ensure their entire team adheres to the rules of their chosen division.

Note: Each team may register for only one division. However, Team Captains can edit their division as needed until the registration system closes on the Wednesday before the race. After registration closes, any division changes must be requested by contacting us directly.

These subdivisions 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 determine division placement: estimated team time and equipment. Fastest teams in the Competitive Division generally finish in 6 to 7 hours, while the fastest teams in the Recreational Division usually finish in 7 to 8 hours. You can look up past team times on the results page to get an idea.

In regard to equipment, your boat often determines which division you must register in. Review the canoe and kayak leg requirements in the race guide for more information.

For bike legs, aero bars are NOT allowed in either leg of the Recreational Division. In addition, time trial bikes, triathlon bikes and disc wheels are prohibited in all Recreational Division road bike legs.

If a team is registered in the Recreational Division and uses any prohibited equipment, the team will be moved to the Competitive Division on race day. Team Captains should confirm that all racers’ equipment is in compliance with division rules.

To estimate finish times, add the elapsed times below to the 7:30 AM start time.

1. CORPORATE

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

2. VETERANS

Combined ages of all racers must be 410+ 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 the 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.

Teams will be disqualified if they do not finish the race with their assigned timing chip/wristband. All participants must wear a bib displaying their team number, which must remain clearly visible at all times.

For safety reasons, course monitors may disqualify and remove a racer from the course if, in their judgment, sufficient forward progress has not been made. Any discrepancies will be reviewed by the Race Committee, whose decisions on race day are final.

Please note that timing and results are managed by our third-party vendor, Pacific Multisports. While they consistently deliver accurate results, final outcomes cannot be guaranteed. To help ensure prompt and precise results, each team member should familiarize themselves with the timing protocols specific to their relay leg

PROTEST PROCEDURE & RULES

Upon completion of a racers leg, that racer has 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 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.

EARLY RELEASE PROCEDURE

The intent of Early Release is to ensure that every racer on your team is able to complete their leg. Teams that participate in Early Release are not eligible for awards, but Early Release does not impact your race time or your team’s overall time.

Please note that teams with multiple Early Releases may see a delay in final results. Our results team needs time to reconcile all timing data, so we appreciate your patience.

Early Release is most commonly used for the run, road bike cyclocross and kayak legs.

To use the Early Release program, report to the orange tent where you will be issued a new timing chip. This allows you to start your leg before the previous racer finishes. When the previous racer completes their leg, they must return their original timing chip to a race official.

Specific timing guidelines by leg are outlined below.

Downhill Ski or Snowboard

The earliest time you may request Early Release is 8:30 AM.

Run

The earliest time you may request Early Release is 9:00 AM. The sweeper van leaves Heather Meadows at approximately 10:20 AM and arrives at the run finish around 10:40 AM.
To determine whether Early Release is needed, estimate your eight mile downhill run time and work backward from 10:30 AM to allow buffer time. Your run must be completed by 10:40 AM to avoid being swept.

Road Bike

The earliest time you may request Early Release is 10:00 AM.

Canoe

The earliest time you may request Early Release is 1:00 PM.

Cyclocross

The earliest time you may request Early Release is 1:30 PM. Because the canoe leg is the longest leg by duration, cyclocross racers should plan carefully. Kayakers must start by 4:30 PM, so plan to finish the cyclocross leg by 4:00 PM to allow buffer time.
If your canoe team has not arrived by that time, Early Release is strongly recommended.

Kayak

Early Release begins at 2:00 PM.
At 4:30 PM, all remaining kayakers who have not taken advantage of Early Release will be issued new timing chips and released regardless of whether their cyclocross teammate has finished.

Important Notes

If you expect to be on a slower team, we strongly encourage you to plan for Early Release in advance.

It is imperative that all timing chips are turned in to a race official. Failure to return a chip will result in a replacement fee of $15.

COMPETING IN MULTIPLE LEGS

Teams may consist of 3 to 8 racers. Individuals may compete in up to 3 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 entry fee remains the same regardless of how many racers are on a team. There is no separate division for teams with fewer than 8 racers but teams of all sizes will be eligible for Awards in their registered division.

Timing and Transitions

Chip timing continues during all transitions. If a racer completes multiple legs back to back, their time will continue to run during gear and clothing changes. As each leg is finished, the racer must trigger the timing chip to end that leg and immediately start the next. Team support is responsible for collecting equipment, clothing and personal items at all transition points for any racer competing in multiple legs.

Travel and Course Restrictions

Traffic conditions and road closures significantly limit which legs can be completed by the same racer.

Highway 542 remains closed until the sweeper van departs Mt Baker at approximately 11:00 AM. Racers behind the sweeper are released together once the road reopens.

Because of this closure and course rules, the following restrictions apply:

• A racer may complete a Ski Leg and the Road Bike Leg only if they also complete the Run Leg and have their bike staged at the DOT station. Bicycles are not allowed on the Running Course under any circumstances, per the Whatcom County Sheriff.

• Racers completing a Ski Leg or the Run Leg will not be able to reach Everson in time to complete the Canoe Leg.

The Canoe Leg averages 2 to 2.5 hours to complete. This typically allows enough time for a racer driving from Mt. Baker to reach Hovander Park for the Cyclocross Leg or Zuanich Park for the Kayak Leg.

Logistics are most challenging for teams with only 3 racers. See the quick reference chart below to confirm which leg combinations are compatible. Please feel free to contact us for more details if needed.

Multiple Leg Participation Quick Reference Guide

Note: Cyclocross and Kayak are compatible with all other legs.

Safety Meetings

If you are participating in multiple legs, you must attend the mandatory safety meeting for your first leg on race day. Safety briefings for any additional legs will be emailed prior to race weekend. On race day, check in with the Race Official wearing a bright orange vest at each subsequent leg to receive up to date information.

RACER CONDUCT SUMMARY

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. While the race is produced by Whatcom Events, it would not be possible without the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, community partners and law enforcement officers who who help bring Ski to Sea to life. 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 great Ski to Sea race experience. All participants are expected to treat volunteers, officials and fellow racers with respect and to follow all race instructions.

Any team member who exhibits unsportsmanlike conduct or fails to follow the instructions of a race volunteer or official is subject to disqualification.

The use, possession or distribution of illicit substances, including performance enhancing drugs, as well as the consumption of alcohol or cannabis on course, in parks or in other public areas is strictly prohibited. Violations may result in immediate disqualification, removal from the event, future Whatcom Events participation restrictions and notification of law enforcement.

For full details, please review the complete Racer Code of Conduct policy.

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