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World Challenge XVIII, Official 2009 Protocol
World Challenge Competition Categories and Byes
The Final competition will be comprised of, and limited to the following categories and races between firefighters who have qualified according to published rules and procedures:
Teams: The three (3) bye teams from Nationals, the two best Canadian teams from regional competitions, one team from New Zealand, one team from Germany, one team from Slovenia and the ten (10) fastest teams from the Wildcard Playoffs (18 Teams total).
Female: The single fastest American female competitor from the U.S. National event, the single fastest Canadian female from regional events and the fastest six (6) female competitors from the Wildcard Playoffs (8 slots total).
Male: The single fastest American male competitor from the U.S. National event, the single fastest Canadian male from regional events and the fastest twenty eight (28) male competitors from the Wildcard Playoffs (30 slots total). This includes both individuals and team members of final day teams. If you are within the top 28 male wild card times, you receive one of these slots.
Chief Officer: The single fastest American chief officer competitor from the U.S. National event, the single fastest Canadian chief officer from regional events and the fastest six (6) chief officers from the Wildcard Playoffs (8 slots total).
Over 50: The single fastest American over 50 competitor from the U.S. National event, the single fastest Canadian over 50 competitor from regional events and the fastest six (6) over 50 competitors from the Wildcard Playoffs (8 slots total).
40-44: The single fastest American over 40 competitor from the U.S. National competition, the single fastest Canadian over 40 competitor from regional events and the fastest ten (10) over 40-44 competitors from the Wildcard Playoffs (12 slots total).
45-49: The single fastest American over 45 competitor from the U.S. National competition, the single fastest Canadian over 45 from regional events and the fastest six (6) over 45 competitors from the Wildcard Playoffs (8 slots total).
Male Relay: The top eight (8) Relay teams from the U.S. National event and the single fastest Canadian Relay from regional events will receive a bye for the male finals of the Relay to be held on Friday. These top nine (9) seeds will be selected, along with the fastest fifty-five (55) teams from the Wildcard Playoffs. The top 64 teams (9 byes and 55 qualifiers) will be seeded based on their best run from wild cards (or from nationals and wild cards in the case of the bye teams) and a single elimination tournament will ensue. Seeding will be at the discretion of OTC. (64 slots total)
Female Relay: The fastest Female Relay team from the U.S. National competition, the single fastest Canadian Female Relay from regional events and the fastest six (6) female relay teams from the Wildcard Playoffs. This will be a single elimination Relay style tournament with teams being seeded by their best time recorded during Wildcards (or from nationals and wild cards in the case of the bye teams.) Seeding will be at the discretion of OTC. (8 slots total)
Over 40 Relay: The fastest Over 40 Relay team from the U.S. National competition, the single fastest Canadian Over 40 Relay from regional events and the fastest six (6) Over 40 relay teams from the Wildcard Playoffs. This will be a single elimination Relay style tournament with teams being seeded by their best time recorded during Wildcards (or from nationals and wild cards in the case of the bye teams). Seeding will be at the discretion of OTC. (8 total slots)
Tandem competitors can only compete in a single race in each tandem category on the final day, if they qualify for multiple slots, one must be selected.
Male Tandem: The fastest male U.S. tandem team from the U.S. National competition, the fastest Canadian male tandem team from regional events and the fastest fourteen (14) male tandem teams from the Wildcard Playoffs. (16 total slots)
Female Tandem: The fastest female U.S. tandem team from the U.S. National competition, the fastest Canadian female tandem team from regional events, and the fastest six (6) female tandem teams from the Wildcard Playoffs. (8 total slots)
Co-Ed Tandem: The fastest Co-Ed U.S. tandem team from the U.S. National competition, the fastest Canadian Co-Ed tandem team from regional events, and the fastest ten (10) Co-Ed tandem teams from the Wildcard Playoffs. (12 total slots)
Over 40 Tandem: The fastest Over 40 U.S. tandem team from the U.S. National competition, the fastest Canadian Over 40 tandem team from regional events, and the fastest six (6) Over 40 tandem teams from the Wildcard Playoffs. (8 total slots)
Over 50 Tandem: The fastest Over 50 U.S. tandem team from the U.S. National competition, the fastest Canadian Over 50 tandem team from regional events, and the fastest six (6) Over 50 tandem teams from the Wildcard Playoffs. (8 total slots)
Additional Byes may be awarded due to special circumstances. These include medical difficulties, personal emergencies and other nonstandard situations. All such byes are examined on a case-by-case basis. These special byes will not count towards the previously designated byes, nor will they take a spot away from a wild card competitor.
If a bye is not used, an additional wild card spot will be made available.
Please note that competitors qualifying both as a team member and as an individual on Friday do not open up wild card spots.