{"id":12208,"date":"2021-09-01T06:31:26","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T06:31:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s1trail.com\/?p=12208"},"modified":"2024-07-25T18:27:57","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T18:27:57","slug":"scope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/scope\/","title":{"rendered":"So many people want to get laid at races, but getting laid well is not for everyone!"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is dedicated to all those who they thought of making the broom<\/strong> and those who habitually do it, but also to race organisers and the competitors<\/strong>. In short, these considerations arise from the terrible realisation that there is a great deal of confusion surrounding the scope role. To follow the protocol we adopted at the Corsa della Bora, and which we are happy to share with others.<\/em><\/p>

We share this text with you in the hope that it may be food for thought and improvement, while also awaiting your thoughts on it: indispensable for improvement.  <\/em><\/p>

Some points may, unfortunately, seem harsh on the competitor. Unfortunately, the protection of the safety of the competitor and the broom, as well as the protection of civil and criminal liability require us to act firmly. <\/em><\/p>

This text was born out of our mistakes, mistakes made by other organisers and which we have observed, it was born out of the discussion and confrontation between the entire S1 team and in particular the fierce discussions between the Race Direction and the Scope Coordination.<\/strong> A dialogue that makes it necessary to compromise between three variables: safety, efficiency and competitor satisfaction<\/strong>. Three conditions which are difficult to fulfil at the same time and which represent our priorities. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Tommaso de Mottoni - Race Director La Corsa della Bora<\/em><\/strong>
Matteo Incaudo - Scopes, route and tracking co-ordinator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
LET'S START BY DISPELLING FIVE BIG MISCONCEPTIONS THAT ARE OFTEN MADE WHEN TALKING ABOUT 'BROOMS'<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
THE FIRST MISUNDERSTANDING: END OF RACE AND BROOM. ARE NOT THE SAME THING.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The 'broom', theoretically, would have the function of removing route marking and any rubbish on the route<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The End of Race, which precedes the 'brooms' should follow the last competitors but not remove any signal. In fact each organiser does it his own way, the important thing is that he clarifies his interpretation to those doing the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the ideal scenario, there should be both race ends and brooms, which should start once it has been ascertained that all competitors are present at the roll call at the next checkpoint after the one to be cleaned. Often race ends and brooms are the same thing. From now on I will also use the term broom to refer to the end of the race, as is commonly the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE SECOND MISUNDERSTANDING: THE BROOM DOES NOT ACCOMPANY, IT FOLLOWS THE COMPETITORS.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This is a fundamental point, which the 90% of brooms, even with experience, ignores. The role is not to accompany the competitors, much less to interact, give directions or help them. The broom's function is not to motivate, entertain or provide comfort to competitors. The only person in the mountains who can accompany someone in such a context is the mountain guide.<\/strong> As a result, a very serious civil and criminal liability scenario opens up for both the service provider and the race organiser. An example? The broom intervenes by distracting the competitor or telling him where to put his feet. The competitor is seriously injured. Here the responsibility lies with the broom and the race director. Not just the race director. So be careful giving advice. I repeat: there are mountain guides for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE THIRD MISUNDERSTANDING: BROOMSTICKING IS NOT A WAY TO RACE FOR FREE<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Granted that a broomstick should never do the entire race course, or rather should never do more than a distance of 20-30 km, broomsticking entails very serious responsibilities, requires a great deal of experience and the ability to assess both the environmental conditions and the competitors. It can require a not inconsiderable physical effort and entails civil and criminal liability on the part of the person, not just the race organisation. So beware: broomsticking does not mean saving money on race entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here I have witnessed Turkish scenes: brooms overtaking the competitors, brooms wanting to continue the race and then slowing down the other brooms (the broom of the race becomes the broom of the broom) or even worse brooms interfering with the smooth running of the race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE FOURTH MISUNDERSTANDING: THE BROOM CAN BE A SLOW RUNNER.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The broom does indeed follow the last competitor, but it must also have the ability to move quickly across the terrain, to reach the next group in the event of the last one dropping out at a checkpoint, and it must be physically fit enough to move quickly to call for help or deal with emergencies. Here again, scenes from another world: a race with an eight-hour time limit and the brooms arriving in 12, a good four hours after the last competitor. Not by choice but by slowness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
THE FIFTH MISUNDERSTANDING: BROOM MEANS TO GET TO THE END.<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely NOT. The broom is part of a very complex gear at organisational level and an incorrect time management has a negative impact on the whole organisational machine, increasing the workload for others and taking resources away from those who could have them. The broom must be well aware of the speed at which it is moving, always be up to date on the expected time of arrival with respect to the gate, and weigh this data against the condition of the competitors and the possibility of stopping them even before the gate if necessary. I'll give you an example: 30km gate at 13.30, competitor in serious trouble at 10.00 at the last refreshment point (with Jeep access) 9km away. His speed is less than 2 km\/h and he expresses the desire to retire at the gate. Having him continue to the gate means that the entire gate point has to wait an extra 90 minutes, volunteers, rescue, timing, etc., taking resources away from the race and safety. The broom is not on a trip and has to make these assessments as a member of a team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

THE SCOPE S1 PROTOCOL, BORN FROM MISTAKES, EXPERIENCE AND ALWAYS EVOLVING:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. The broom is compound<\/strong> by two and no more than three persons<\/li>
  2. Each group consists of one responsible<\/strong> and the group never splits up, except in cases of absolute emergency and after conferring with the operations centre. The group leader is the only person in charge of communications, except in emergencies.<\/li>
  3. At each point where volunteers are present, introduce yourself and declare<\/strong>we are the last ones the race is over'.<\/li>
  4. At each gate stop<\/strong> and interface with the person in charge of the CP. In the case of an electronic CP he will simply have to provide the bib number of the withdrawn and wait for the OK to continue. In the case of manual CPs, the person in charge will have the list of those who actually started and will wait for the list of those withdrawn to be delivered by the broom; once the check has been completed, if the accounts are correct, he\/she can start again.<\/li>
  5. Having the mandatory gear<\/strong> of the race and a first aid kit with an additional thermal blanket.<\/li>
  6. Always keep the broom bib well in view<\/strong>.<\/li>
  7. It must have the telephone<\/strong> charged with possible powerbank and in use only for race communication: no apps, photos, updates, selfies, etc. In the group, if two people have the same operator, one will switch off the phone while keeping the battery topped up in case of need.<\/li>
  8. Follow the last ones, you keep your distance and you do not intervene, you do not incite, you do not provide food, you do not have conversations. It is not an accompaniment service and it is not a personalised support service.<\/strong><\/li>
  9. Do not give advice<\/strong> of any kind. Do not make predictions. Do not make remarks of any kind about the race or other races. Do not make judgements. Do not talk about politics, religion, unconventional life habits, football or sex.<\/li>
  10. If the contestant 'attacks the button' respond politely but without initiating a conversation.<\/li>
  11. If the competitor 'attacks you', it means you are too close.<\/li>
  12. Keep on the clock<\/strong> a screen showing: height difference to be covered, average speed of the segment, expected arrival time at the next gate or cp.<\/li>
  13. Withdrawal procedure: always call the operations centre, option 2, the call is automatically recorded. Possibly have the competitor pronounce the bib number and position himself. In the event of disputes make sure that these are recorded by the withdrawal procedure. Remove the bib number from all disqualified runners and those who do not willingly withdraw.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    What to do if....<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    COMPETITOR EXTREMELY SLOW BUT DETERMINED TO CONTINUE (> 45 MIN EXPECTED ON THE GATE)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Follow him at a distance without interaction to the point where it is possible to make him retreat. Stop him by explaining that too slow a pace not only does not allow him to arrive at the gate but also jeopardises the safety of the competitor himself, the brooms and the staff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    STOPPED COMPETITOR REFUSES TO STOP AND WANTS TO PROSECUTE<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Carry out the telephone pick-up procedure and physically remove the bib from the competitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    COMPETITOR IS HUNGRY OR THIRSTY<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    He should not be helped if it is a matter of comfort. If it is a matter of safety and he cannot continue, help is given with bars, gels and what is needed but the disqualification<\/strong> and withdraw at the first possible point. Fairness to other competitors. Remove the bib. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    COMPETITOR IS INJURED<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    If possible, arrange for self-medication with the mandatory equipment. If necessary, notify the operations centre immediately and perform only first aid manoeuvres while waiting for qualified personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    COMPETITOR INSULTS<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Disqualification and withdrawal procedure with removal of the bib at the first possible point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    SLOW COMPETITOR DUE TO INJURY OR ILLNESS AND INTENT ON RETIREMENT.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    ONLY if the delay with respect to the gate time is expected to exceed 45 min may the brooms split up leaving the fastest with the competitor in difficulty. The brooms should try to rejoin as soon as possible either by proceeding faster or by being accompanied (where compatible with organisational requirements) to the next CP once the competitor has been secured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A BROOM OR PARTICIPATE IN OUR COMPETITION AS A VOLUNTEER? - WRITE US!<\/h6>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    This article is dedicated to all those who have thought about broomsticking and those who do it habitually, but also to competition organisers and competitors. In short, it is about considerations that arise from the terrible realisation that there is a lot of confusion around the broom role. To follow the protocol we adopted at the Corsa della Bora, and which we are happy to share with others.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12210,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","neve_meta_reading_time":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[195],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12208"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12208\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.s1trail.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}