SMU Gravical 2020 Rules & Regulations

These Rules shall be read in conjunction with the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Rules and Regulations. Any unforeseen cases not covered by the SMU Gravical 2020 Rules and Regulations shall be resolved as follows:
● General Issues:
Resolved by the SMU GRAVICAL 2020 Organizing Committee.
● Technical Issues:
Resolved in accordance with the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Rules and Regulations.
● Appeal Issues:
Resolved in accordance with the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Rules and Regulations.
 
1. GENERAL RULES

●      Competitors must wear the official event T-shirt during their climb. No modification of the official event T-shirt is allowed.
●      Competitors must report at registration and report at respective call zones punctually for their respective categories. Latecomers WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
        o   If the participant is not present at the call zone when the detail has begun, the participant WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
        o   First detail is to report at the call zone IMMEDIATELY after the demonstration climb. Participants may refer to the scoreboard for their detailing.
●      The organizers reserve the right to amend the rules and regulations without prior notice.
●      Competitors will be briefed on the rules of the competition on the actual day itself.
●      Schedule of categories may be subjected to changes. Participants are advised to check their email, the event instagram page and the event website for the latest updates.
●      The organizers reserve the right to utilize pictures taken of participants for the purpose of publicity, promotion and post-event reports.
●      Different competition formats will be used throughout the competition. 

1. The Flash Format will be used during the U17, Novice and Intermediate Qualifying Round. 
2. The Session Format will be used during the Open Qualifying Round as well as the Novice and Intermediate Semifinals.
3. The Rotation Format will be used during Open Semifinals as well as U17, Novice and Intermediate Finals.
4. The Team Rotation Format will be used during ALL Team Events.
5. The Open Rotation Format will be used during Open Finals.

2. EVENT ELIGIBILITY

If unsure of which category to join, please contact officialsmugravical@gmail.com.
U17 Category
-        To be eligible for the Under 17 category, participants must be strictly below 17 years of age throughout the entire duration of the event.
-        Participants must not have been a finalist in the Novice or higher categories of previous competitions.
 
Novice Category
-        Participants must not have been a finalist in the Novice or higher categories of previous competitions.
-        National climbers from the senior team are not allowed to join this category.
 
Intermediate Category
-        Participants must not have been amongst the Top 3 positions for Intermediate or Open categories of previous competitions.
-        Participants must not have been a finalist for Open categories of previous competitions.
-        National climbers from the senior team are not allowed to join this category.


Open Category
-        All participants are welcome.
-        National climbers from the senior team can join this category.
-        There will not be any demonstration climbs.

U17-Novice Team Event
-        Each team will consist of FOUR members.
-        All participants in the team must not have been a finalist in the Novice or higher categories of previous competitions before.
-    There must be at least 1 participant of an opposite gender in the team.
-    National climbers from the senior team are not allowed to join this category.
-    Female participants score double points.

Intermediate-Open Team Event
-     Each team will consist of FOUR members.
-    All participants are welcome.
-    There must be at least 1 participant of an opposite gender in the team.
-    There can only be a maximum of 2 participants from the open category.
-    National climbers from the senior team can join this category.
-    Female participants score double points.

SMU Inter-Club Event
-     Each team will consist of FOUR members.
-    All participants in the team must be current SMU students registered under the same SMU club.
-    SMU Alumni are not allowed to participate on behalf of the club.
-    There must be at least 1 participant of an opposite gender.
-    Female participants score double points.
-    SMU Climb Team members are not eligible to participate in this event.

3. COMPETITION FORMATS

Flash Format

1. Each detail will have a maximum of 18 climbers
2. Each detail will have 19 minutes to attempt to top all the boulder problems.
3. There will be a demonstration climb before the commencement of the competition.
4. Participants may attempt the boulder problems in any order. 

Session Format

1. Each session will have a maximum of 30 climbers.
2. Each session will have 30 minutes to attempt to top all the boulder problems.
3. Competitors will be isolated in the isolation zone before the commencement of route setting for the event.
4. There will not be a demonstration climb.
5. Participants may attempt the boulder problems in any order. 

Rotation Format

1. A designated pair of 1 male and 1 female competitors will climb simultaneously on their individual problems.
2. Each pair will attempt all the boulder problems, in the prescribed order, with 3.5 minutes to attempt to top each problem.
3. Once 3.5 minutes are up, no additional time will be given to the competitors to finish the problems.
4. Competitors will have a resting period of 3.5 minutes in between each successive boulder problem. At the end of each rotation period, the competitors that are climbing shall stop climbing and enter a designated resting area. This area shall not allow observation of any boulder problems. The competitors who have finished their resting period shall move on to their next boulder problem.
5. There will not be a demonstration climb.

Team Rotation Format

1. Each team will attempt all the boulder problems, in the prescribed order, with a total of 4 minutes for all 4 members to attempt to top each problem.
2. All members of the team must move together to a boulder problem.
3. Once 4 minutes are up, no additional time will be given to the competitors to finish the route.
4. There will be a demonstration climb before the commencement of the competition.

Open Rotation Format

1. There will be 3 boulder problems each for the Open Men and Open Women Finals.
2. Competitors will be isolated in the isolation zone before the commencement of route setting for the event.
3. There will be an observation time of 4.5 minutes per route before the commencement of the event.
4. A designated pair of 1 male and 1 female competitor will climb simultaneously on their individual problems.
5. Each pair will have 4.5 minutes to attempt to top the designated boulder problems.
6. Once 4.5 minutes are up, no additional time will be given to the competitors to finish the problems. 
7. The competitors will then proceed to isolation to rest until all competitors have attempted the designated boulder problem.
8. All competitors will then move on to attempt the next boulder problem and the process repeats until all competitors have attempted all the boulder problems.
9. There will not be a demonstration climb.

 
4. COMPETITION ROUNDS

Qualifiers

1. Top 20 participants will move on to the semifinals.
2. If there are more than 20 participants who are eligible to proceed to the semifinals, e.g. 19th to 22nd place all have the same scores, all will proceed to the finals.
3. For U17 Qualifiers, top 8 participants will move straight to finals on 2nd February 2020.

Semi-Finals

1. Top 6 participants will move on to the finals on 2nd February 2020.
2. If there are more than 6 participants who are eligible to proceed to the finals, e.g. 4th to 7th place all have the same scores, all will proceed to the finals.

Finals

1. Top 3 participants for each category will be awarded prizes.

5. REGISTRATION

If the participant is not present for registration by the end of the stated registration time on the SMU Gravical 2020 website, the participant will be disqualified.
​
Refunds & Transfers

1. Refunds WILL NOT BE ALLOWED under any circumstances.
2. Administrative changes/transfers/replacements without valid proof will only be allowed before 12 January 2020, 2359 hours.
   
3. After 12 January 2020, 2359 hours, each administrative changes/transfers/replacements will be allowed with valid proof or medical certificate, up to the organisers discretion. The process will be charged at an administrative fee of $5.
   
4. Do provide us with the relevant details of the person you are giving up your slot to, as well as your valid proof at officialsmugravical@gmail.com.

Call Zone 
1.     An announcement will be made for the detail to report to the call zone located by the side of the wall. 
2.     If the participant is not present at the call zone when the detail has begun, the participant will be disqualified. 
3.     First detail is to report at the call zone IMMEDIATELY after the demonstration climb. Participants may find out about their detailing at the scoreboard.  

Isolation Zone
The following rules are to be abided by once the announcement for closure of isolation is made:

1. Only competitors who are eligible to compete in that round are allowed to enter the Isolation zone.
2. If participants would like to leave the Isolation zone for any reason, they must inform the Isolation IC. Participants will be disqualified immediately if they leave the Isolation zone without informing the Isolation IC.
3. Participants are only allowed to communicate with their fellow participants in the isolation zone and event officials when they are in the isolation zone.
   1. The use of mobile phones will NOT be permitted in the isolation zone.
   2. Anyone who is caught with the intention to communicate will be disqualified immediately.
   3. In the event that there is a need for communication in emergency situations, participants are required to alert the event officials. Participants are required to turn on the loudspeaker throughout the call to ensure fairness and transparency in this competition.
   4. In the event of disqualification, participant’s registration fee will not be reimbursed.

6. DURING THE COMPETITION

Time-Keeping
1.     Timer will run continuously throughout the competition, displaying the amount of time remaining for each detail or rotation.
2.    Whistle will be blown by time-keeper at the following times:

• Triple Whistle: Start of detail or rotation
• Single Whistle: ONE minute left to end of detail or rotation
• Double Whistle: End of detail or rotation

3.     The next detail or rotation may move into the climbing area upon the double whistle. 4.    There will be exactly ONE minute of preparation time before the triple whistle blows again, signifying the start of the next detail or rotation.

Start

1. A ‘four-point’ starting position will be adopted for each boulder problem.
2. There will be FOUR strips of the designated coloured tape indicating where the FOUR limbs can be placed specifically in accordance to the discretion of the Chief Route Setter.
3. In the event of a false start, where the climber does not start the route in a controlled and stable manner with all FOUR limbs on the designated FOUR starting points of the problem, the route judges holds the right to call the climber off the wall.
4. The climber would have to queue again to attempt the problem.

Bonus

1. There will be a bonus for each boulder problem, indicated by one bonus hold.
   1. The hold(s) will be marked with strips of a different coloured tape.
   2. If there is one bonus hold, there will be one strip of tape.
   3. Two strips of tape will be used to indicate that two hands will be needed to be on the bonus hold to score the bonus.
   4. If there are two bonus holds, there will be one strip of tape on each of the holds. Participants will need to have both hands on these two holds simultaneously during their attempt to score the bonus.
2. Participants should check with the route judge if they are unsure if they are awarded the bonus.

Top

1. There will be TWO strips of the designated coloured tape indicating the end hold or holds.
2. If there is one end hold, it will be marked with TWO strips of tape. Participants will need to end the problem with two hands securely on that hold.
3. If there are two end holds, they will be marked with ONE strip of tape each. Participants need to have one hand on each hold simultaneously to end the problem.
4. Top will only be awarded when participant has two hands on the end hold or holds and is in a controlled and stable position. This is up to the discretion of the route judge.
5. Route Judge will announce to the climber with gestures to confirm the top.
6. For special ending positions other than the aforementioned positions, the Chief Route Judge will explain during the pre-event briefing.

Brushing & Chalking

1. If participants would like the holds or wall to be brushed and chalked, please inform the route judge. The designated event personnel will provide assistance. Participants may chalk and brush the tiles themselves if they deem it to unsatisfactory; but may only so with the materials provided by the organizers.
2. Participants can only request for brushing and chalking before they start the problem.

Boundaries

1. Boundaries are marked with black coloured tape.
2. Participants cannot touch any hold, volume or part of the wall that is beyond the boundaries of the boulder problem they are attempting.
3. Side panels of the wall can be used if there is no boundary tape.

Fouls, Penalties and Disqualification

1. If participants do any of the following during their qualifier/semi/final, they will incur one PENALTY:
   1. Communicate with anyone other than the event officials
   2. Communication includes talking, gesturing, using communication devices
   3. Hit, kick or physically damage event property intentionally
   4. Event property includes climbing holds, volumes, walls, furniture etc.
   5. Use vulgarities in any language or gesture
   6. Display any unsportsmanlike behaviour
   7. E.g. throwing/kicking items forcefully in anger, booing, taunting
   8. Refuses to dismount the wall when told to do so by event officials

Upon incurring two penalties within the same round of qualification, the participant will be disqualified immediately and asked to leave the competition grounds. In the event of disqualification, their registration fee will not be reimbursed.

If participants are on the wall when the penalty is incurred, their attempt will be recorded. If they have scored the bonus before incurring the penalty, the bonus will be awarded.

1. If participants abuse event officials, participants or spectators verbally/physically, they will be disqualified immediately. A police report will be made for serious incursions.
2. The event organizers reserve the right to penalize or disqualify any participant who commits any offensive act other than the aforementioned actions.

Technical Incident
●      A Technical Incident is defined as any occurrence that results in a disadvantage or unfair advantage to a competitor, which is not the result of an action on the part of the competitor.
●      The IFSC Judge, if necessary in consultation with the Chief Route-Setter shall make the confirmation or non-confirmation of a Technical Incident.

1. In the event of a technical incident, the round will be suspended until the technical incident is resolved.
2. Competitors who have begun their attempts shall be allowed to finish that attempt if they decide to. 
3. In the case that the competitor’s attempt is compromised by the technical incident, the competitor must decide and inform the route judge IMMEDIATELY whether or not the attempt should be kept for scoring.
4. Based on the situation, the Chief Route Judge will determine whether the problem should be struck off the scores for all participants of the qualifier. 
   
   
   

7. RESULTS

Ranking

1. The scoring system adopted for this competition is in accordance to the IFSC Rules 2019 VERSION No 1.9.2.
2. Participants will be ranked in the following order:
   1. Number of Tops
   2. Number of Zones
   3. Attempts to Tops
   4. Attempts to Zones
3. In the event of a tie during finals, competitors will be awarded and attained their placing according to the semifinals results. In the event of a tie in the semifinal results, competitors will be awarded and attained their placing according to the qualifier results.
4. In the event of a tie for finals, semifinals and qualifiers, there will be a superfinal round to determine the placing.

Promotion

1. Top 3 positions from U17 Category will be promoted to Novice Category in subsequent competitions.
2. Top 6 finalists from Novice Category will be promoted to Intermediate Category in subsequent competitions.
3. Top 3 positions of Intermediate Category will be promoted to Open Category in subsequent competitions.

Appeals

1. All appeals shall be accepted if accompanied by the official appeal form and appeal fee of SGD $60.00 in CASH.
2. Flash Format and Session Format: An appeal concerning the judgment of a competitor’s attempt can only be made before the start of the following competitor’s attempt.
3. Rotation Format: An appeal concerning the judgement of a competitor’s attempt can only be made within the current or next rotation period.
4. Open Rotation Format: An appeal concerning the judgment of a competitor’s attempt can only be made before the start of the next competitor’s attempt.
5. An appeal against the ranking of a competitor shall be made within 10 minutes following the publication of the Official Results of that round.
6. ​The result of the appeals are up to the discretion of the chief route judge.