The Expedition : FTT Position Placement System

 

The Cape Outback® MTB Expedition uses a position placement system called the FTT- system. Except for the cut-off times and separation time penalties, time plays no role in the FTT-system. The FTT-system was designed by X-treme Africa Events for the Cape Outback® MTB Expedition. It is a simple and fair position placement system that encourages continuation in the event. It works as follows:

1.       Number of points to be awarded: The number of points that the first team over the finish line will earn during any stage is determined by the total number of teams that start the first stage. For example, if 100 teams start the first stage, the winning team of each stage for the duration of that expedition will earn 100 points per stage win. The second team over the finish line will earn one point less than the first team (i.e. 99 points), the third team will earn two points less (i.e. 98 points), etc.

2.       Number of teams participating: If the number of participating teams becomes less during the event, the number of points awarded to the finishers will remain the same i.e. if 100 teams started the first stage, but only 90 teams start the second stage, the first team over the line will still receive 100 points for a stage win. The 90th team in will earn 10 points.

3.       Points belong to the team: The points earned during the event belong to the team and not the individual riders. This becomes important if team members withdraw during the event and new teams are formed.

4.       Withdrawal of a team member: All members of a team have to finish the stage within the cut-off time to earn any points for that stage. If a team member withdraws during a stage, the remaining team member can still finish the stage (after reporting the withdrawal), but will earn no points for that stage. All the points earned by the team up to that stage, will remain behind the name of that team. Riders that has withdrawn from a stage are allowed to rejoin the expedition at a later stage if they make a full recovery.

5.       Formation of new teams: If a new team is formed during the event, that team will start with zero points. No points will be carried forward.

6.       Finisher's Medal: Finisher's Medals are awarded to riders and not teams. To receive a Finisher's Medal a rider has to finish all stages within the cut-off time, even if it is as a member of different teams or as a single rider.

7.       Points not awarded per category: Points are not awarded per category (i.e. men, ladies, mixed, veterans). Points are awarded for over-all positioning. The overall points standing will determine the positioning in the different categories.

8.       Distances between teams: The distances or times in between teams play no role in determining the points.

9.       Team riders: The position of a team will be determined by the position of the last member of the team across the line. At no stage shall the riders of a team be more than two minutes apart.

10.      Single riders: Riders without team mates (due to injury or illness) will start at the back of the chute each morning.