Regulations

Numbers can be collected at the start of the race from 3.30pm.

Each race number is issued individually to each racer and must be visible at all times throughout the race.

In the event of refusal to comply with a decision of a race official, the race number will be confiscated and the organisers will be released from any obligation and responsibility towards the participant concerned.

The 4 categories are: Mountain biking - skating - ski touring - running.

Changing categories during the race is not permitted. Mid-race category changes are not allowed.

The top three men and top three women in each of the four categories will be rewarded.

• Start altitude: 1,930m
• Finish altitude: 2,337m
• Elevation gain: 517m elevation loss 110m
• Length: 8.8 km

All participants must follow the signs.

The start is in Chandolin from the Tsapé chairlift. Pay parking is available nearby.

Arrival is at the Hotel Weisshorn.

Return to Tignousa after the race and ride down

After crossing the finish line, participants can return to the Tignousa Mountain Restaurant on foot, on skis or by bike. Watchfulness and respect for other participants are required. Please pay heed to your fellow athletes.

For safety reasons, no one is allowed to descend from Tignousa to St-Luc except by the free funicular railway. Skiing and cycling prohibited.

Race organisers reserve the right to modify the course according to snow conditions or difficult weather conditions. The race may also be interrupted or cancelled if conditions so require.

The meal and awards ceremony will take place at the mountain restaurant in Tignousa. 

Cut-off times

• Cut-off time in Tignousa, 1 hour after the start of the races.
• Cut-off time at the Chalet Blanc du Toûno (between the Tignousa Mountain Restaurant and the Weisshorn Hotel) no later than 6:10pm

Athletes who do not adhere to these cut-off times will be disqualified

The maximum duration of the race is 2h00. 

At 6.40pm, the arrival post at the Hotel Weisshorn will be closed.

Racers wishing to continue the race after the deadline may do so only after returning their bib number, under their own responsibility and in complete autonomy.

By registering and participating in this competition, athletes undertake to comply with the anti-doping regulations of Swiss Olympic and to recognise the exclusive jurisdiction of the "Disciplinary Chamber for Doping Cases" and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Lausanne) to the exclusion of all other ordinary courts. They shall also bear the consequences (suspension and/or denunciation).

COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT FOR ALL CATEGORIES

Each participant must be equipped with a headlamp to ensure a safe return. Checks will be carried out. 

Mountain bike category

Electric bikes are prohibited.

Gear and equipment must be adapted to the day's weather conditions.

If the weather conditions make it impossible to prepare the course, the organiser will contact the participants in the category in question to offer them a category change.

Skating category

Gear and equipment must be adapted to the day's weather conditions.

The track is prepared for skating and not for classic cross-country skiing (there will be no rails).

Ski-hiking category

Gear and equipment must be adapted to the day's weather conditions.

Seal skins are compulsory.

Running category

Gear and equipment must be adapted to the day's weather conditions.

By registering, participants agree to their surname, first name, year of birth, place of residence, start number, race time and ranking being published in the registration and results lists. This authorisation also extends to the publication of this information in the written and electronic media and to the audio transmission by the race announcers. This authorisation also applies to participants registered by a third party. Photos and films taken during the event may be used in the written and electronic media as well as for promotional material or books. They do not give any right to compensation.

Each participant must be in possession of personal accident insurance to cover any search and rescue costs. This insurance can be taken out with an organisation of the participant's choice. The organisers will not cover the costs of rescue and evacuation for medical reasons. In Switzerland, evacuations are subject to a fee.

The races are open to anyone aged 18 or over.

Participation in this race implies unreserved acceptance of these rules and of the ethics of the race.

The organiser reserves the right to disqualify any participant who does not abide by these rules or the sporting spirit of this race.

Participants are asked to be in good health and well trained. The organisers accept no responsibility for accidents, which are always possible on moderately difficult mountain trails despite all the care taken in marking and preparing the course. Each participant is also responsible for any damage or injury caused to third parties, without being able to hold anyone liable. The health authorities reserve the right to request helicopter assistance in emergencies. The costs of helicopter rescue shall be borne by the injured person.

There will be two aid stations along the course. The first will be located at the high-altitude restaurant at Tignousa and the second at the finish at Hôtel Weisshorn.

Each participant undertakes to treat other riders, organisers and spectators with sportsmanship.

In the event of an accident on the course, it is everyone's responsibility to help others.

If necessary, the safety officer can be reached by telephone (number given in the latest news).

It is forbidden to take part in the race with an animal.

To protect the environment, no rubbish should be left on the course.

In the event of withdrawal, the participant must notify the race safety officer by telephone.

You can register online. Your registration will be final as soon as payment is confirmed by Datasport.

Places are limited to 400 participants, with quotas by category.

By registering, each participant accepts these conditions of participation and the rules listed on the race website. In particular, they confirm that they are in good physical condition to take part in the race. They confirm that they are fully aware of the risks and difficulties of the course.

The registration fee is CHF 50 per person. This includes the souvenir prize, a good meal, transport of personal belongings to the Tignousa mountain restaurant, as well as the funicular ride down to St-Luc and the shuttle bus to Chandolin from 9:00pm.

Cancelling a registration

Registrations for the race are final. Cancellations and refunds are not possible.

Optional cancellation insurance is offered at the time of registration. In the event of an accident or illness, the insurance will refund the registration fee.

If the race has to be cancelled, and only in cases of force majeure, the organisers will not refund any entries.

You can leave your rucksack at the start in Chandolin. It will then be taken to the high-altitude restaurant at Tignousa.

To avoid over-packaging, please label your bag.

The association declines all responsibility in the event of loss or theft.

Items found during the event can be collected at the awards ceremony.

No massage or shower is available on this day.

The Sierre-Zinal race is a legally registered trademark. Any communication about the event or use of images of the event must respect the name of the event, the registered trademarks and the official agreement of the organisation.

After crossing the finish line, participants can return to the Tignousa Mountain Restaurant in any way they wish (on foot, on skis or by bike).

For safety reasons, however, no one is allowed to descend from Tignousa to St-Luc except by the free funicular railway. Skiing and cycling prohibited.

A free shuttle bus will be set up from St-Luc to the Chandolin car park according to the following schedule: