Marshal instructions | Nordic Downhill Series

Race director: Mike Cook 98612250

Race general: Kenneth Helgestad +4792888859

Main task: Ensure your "sector" is safe to ride fast at all times. During practice and competition.

Purpose: Give the rider confidence that they can ride as hard as they are capable of without unexpected obstacles.

During practice and competition the course is closed to everyone except race participants. They come at high speed and expect a clear track.

Marshal team

As a marshal you are assigned to a team responsible for your post.
Your team decides who stands where and for how long.
Someone must be at your assigned post at all times (practice, seeding and final — see schedule). No exceptions.
Learn your post number.
All communication about shift changes, food, clothing etc. must NEVER go over the radio. Use an internal messaging group set up for your post.
Each post gets one walkie-talkie. Use it only to report critical info that all other posts and the race director need.
See the Radio section for how the walkie-talkie should be used.

Walkie-talkies are expensive — each post is responsible for returning theirs in the same condition it was handed out.
At the 08:00 info meeting everyone will be told which channel to set. Write it down in your messaging group.
Report on the radio: red flag, and crashes where the rider cannot continue without medical assistance.

Red Cross is stationed at the bottom and ready to help during practice and racing.
Crashes will happen. They always do. Both in practice and racing.
In 9 out of 10 cases the rider gets up and keeps riding, even if it looked dramatic. Don't throw a red flag just because someone took a quick tumble. Take a moment to assess. If you are in doubt, you are not in doubt — raise the red flag.
Red flag means stop. No one rides past a red flag.
When you raise the red flag, also report it on the radio so other posts can raise theirs.
Secure your sector as best you can. Remove bikes from the track, ask spectators for help, use your voice and your authority as a marshal to lock down the situation.
If you reported a red flag, you must also report when it comes down.
When a red flag goes up, Red Cross will be ready to help. Remember your post number.

No rider without a start number is allowed on the course. No exceptions — ask them to get out of the track.
All riders with a start number have insurance covering themselves and third parties in a crash. We cannot know this for riders without a number. So: no start number, no riding on the course.

You are in charge of your sector. Use your voice. Not everyone understands how fast a rider can come or how badly someone can get hurt if hit.
No spectator may cross the course in your sector without your explicit permission.

If marking tape breaks in your section, re-hang it as best you can. Contact the race director (Mike Cook) by phone or radio if more tape is needed.
If the course degrades in a way that creates extra risk for riders, fix it. E.g. a large loose rock that could be a hazard, or roots that get exposed where a foot or pedal could catch under them. If you cannot fix it yourself, notify the race director (Mike Cook) ASAP.

No one leaves their post until told to do so.
Even if the last rider per the start list has come down, more riders may follow due to "re-runs".
When the final is called done on Sunday, bring as much tape and staking as you can carry back.
Riders, organisers, spectators and their kids appreciate your effort enormously. Without you there is no race.

If everyone pitches in, there will be a race!

Ask during the marshal meeting on Saturday/Sunday morning, or email info@nordicdownhillseries.com. You can also use the contact form.