After the successful 2021 launch, the second edition of the VK OPEN Championship is ready to take off.
The goal is to promote the VERTICAL discipline and highlight the Vertical Kilometer®.
The VERTICAL discipline is defined in the ISF Rules as follows:
2.3.4 VERTICAL – Uphill only races with 1,000m vertical climb over variable terrain, not exceeding 5 km in length. The minimum average incline must be 20% and 5% of the total distance must be over 33%.
Race selection
All the VK OPEN races carry the Certified Course Label certifying they conform to ISF parameters.
Participation
The VK OPEN is open to all athletes. No age restrictions are in place, unless race organisers instruct otherwise (due to high altitude or technical terrain).
Points system
Each race will award points to the top 20 male and female finishers according to the following grid:
| Position | Points |
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 | 100 |
In the final race, top 40 athletes will score points, according to the following table:
| Position | Points | Position | Points |
| 1 | 200 | 21 | 72 |
| 2 | 176 | 22 | 68 |
| 3 | 156 | 23 | 64 |
| 4 | 144 | 24 | 60 |
| 5 | 136 | 25 | 56 |
| 6 | 132 | 26 | 52 |
| 7 | 128 | 27 | 48 |
| 8 | 124 | 28 | 44 |
| 9 | 120 | 29 | 40 |
| 10 | 116 | 30 | 36 |
| 11 | 112 | 31 | 32 |
| 12 | 108 | 32 | 28 |
| 13 | 104 | 33 | 24 |
| 14 | 100 | 34 | 20 |
| 15 | 94 | 35 | 16 |
| 16 | 92 | 36 | 12 |
| 17 | 88 | 37 | 8 |
| 18 | 84 | 38 | 6 |
| 19 | 80 | 39 | 4 |
| 20 | 76 | 40 | 2 |
Ranking
The winners of the VK OPEN will be decided by the final ranking. A maximum of three races will be counted for the final ranking: two races plus the final. Eventual travel restrictions that forbid participation in multiple races will be taken into consideration.
Race winners
Races with a mass-start may have only one winner. Eventual ties may be broken based on a photo-finish or other control system. In the event neither of the previous options are resolved, the final decision will be made by the jury. Races that time each runner or have an individual start may have a tie.
Prizes and benefits
Race winners will receive free entry and accommodation at the final. Cash prizes will be awarded to the male and female winners at the final. In case of a tie, the best result at the final will be considered to award the prize money. Athletes eligible for the prize money must have at least two results.
The ISF Rules will prevail in case of dispute.
Calendar
Country: Portugal (Madeira Island)
Distance: 3.3 km
Vertical climb: 1,000m
Website
Country: Brazil
Distance: 4.8 km
Vertical climb: 1,014m
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Country: Chile
Distance: 4,1 km
Vertical climb: 1,042m
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Country: Portugal (Madeira Island)
Distance: 4.8 km
Vertical climb: 1,003m
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Country: Italy
Distance: 4 km
Vertical climb: 1,000m
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Country: Bulgaria
Distance: 4.7 km
Vertical climb: 960m
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Country: Peru
Distance: 5.9 km
Vertical climb: 1,089m
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Country: Spain
Distance: 4.7 km
Vertical climb: 1,050m
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Country: Austria
Distance: 4.9 km
Vertical climb: 1,110m
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Country: Montenegro
Distance: 3.5 km
Vertical climb: 1,100m
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Country: Italy
Distance: 4 km
Vertical climb: 1,094m
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