Objective of the Game

The Sledge Jump is comparable to the Triple Jump, but it is a test of the athlete's endurance as much as of his power. Traditionally, wooden sledges were placed in a row; today, ten 'hurdles' made from wood, are used. The athlete completes as many jumps over the sledges as possible before fatigue forces him to stop. The athlete may only exe­cute two-foot jumps, and the feet may not be placed further apart than shoulder-wide. The attempt ends when the athlete stops jumping, when he touches a sled with any part of his body above the waist, or when he lands or executes a jump from a staggered (step) foot position. The athlete with the greatest number of jumps wins the round.

Equipment

1. en wooden sledges. They are 50 cm (20in.) height, 70 cm (28 in.) wide at the bottom and 50 cm wide at the top. The length varies from 150 cm to 200 cm (60 in. to 80 in.) The sledges should be clearly numbered to simplify counting the number of jumps.
2. A tape measure to determine the spacing between sledges; masking tape.
3. Caribou skins or wool blankets to cover the sledges.

Playing Area

A gym is the best playing area for the Sledge Jump. The playing area should be level and smooth and at least 15m long; there needs to be sufficient space for sledges positioned 50cm apart, and the turn-around areas at either end of the row of sledges.

Teams and Players

At the Arctic Winter Games, athletes from all four categories compete in the Sledge Jump. All athletes use sledges of the same size.

Preparations

The sledges are placed in a straight row; the space between sledges is 50 cm.

The distance between sledges is marked on the floor with masking tape to allow fast repositioning of sledges that have been moved out of position.

At least two officials should be available. The first official counts the number of jumps. The second official walks along the row of sledges to make sure that the athlete maintains proper form throughout the attempt. The second official also makes sure that the athlete does not exceed the five second maximum allowed for the turn-around at either end.

Safety Considerations

The playing area must be cleaned and checked for objects and debris that could cause injuries. Spotters on either side of the sledge course should be available and ready in the event an athlete trips.