The Mass Start is one of the most challenging race in this competition.
It requires a lot of teamwork, stamina, speed, quick-thinking and strategy. The sturdiest sled teams are the ones who will make it to the next race. This is where you will further work together as a team.
We sincerely hope that you have maximized your experience and connected with your fellow teammates in Race 3!
BECAUSE FOR THIS RACE...
We, the Race Marshals LOVE a good twist! Rest assured that we are always fair and unbiased with our mechanics.
Hence, it is NOT JUST ANY battle... there are special rules for this race...
Let’s understand the terminologies:
- PRIME TEAMS: These are the SIX teams who submitted FIRST in Race 3. They will have the privilege to choose in Race 4.
- TOP 1 PRIME TEAMS: These are the six teams who submitted FIRST and ranked at Top 1 in Race 3 (if any). They will have two privileges in Race 4.
- BATTLE TEAMS: These are the teams who did not make it to the first six team submission.
- TRIO BATTLE: PRIME/TOP 1 PRIME TEAM + 2 BATTLE TEAMS.
- BLINDED BATTLE: The PRIME TEAMS, TOP 1 PRIME TEAMS (if any) and BATTLE TEAMS will each have an assigned randomized number and the team names will not be revealed - knowing your opponents will only cause anxiety.
FOCUS ON YOUR ENTRIES NOT YOUR OPPONENTS!
- We will reveal the logistics, screen recordings/shots and sheets AFTER OR NEAR the deadline of Race 4 for proof of an unbiased selection.
CHOOSING THE TEAMS:
1. The Race Marshals will communicate inside the team rooms and will reveal your team position and team numbers. The team numbers have been assigned via a random app generator. Your numbers should be kept CONFIDENTIAL.
- The PRIME TEAM LEADERS should be present on the day of the announcement of Race 4. If they are unavailable, the whole team chooses.
- PLEASE NOTE: The randomization of team numbers was done on February 11 prior to the results of Race 3 to avoid a bias selection based on the ranks.
2. The PRIME TEAM’s privileges:
- The Prime Team will choose TWO BATTLE TEAM NUMBERS from two different Packs/Clusters.
3. CHOOSING THE BATTLE TEAMS:
- Choose in ascending order, starting from the first team who submitted and eventually down to the sixth team.
- The Race Marshals will inform the Prime Teams to choose their Battle Teams once it is their turn.
- Example: PRIME TEAM SIBERIAN 3 chooses the FIRST BATTLE TEAM, then PRIME TEAM AKITA 1 chooses their FIRST BATTLE TEAM next, and so on. Once all SIX PRIME TEAMS have chosen, they may choose their SECOND BATTLE TEAM starting with PRIME SIBERIAN 3 again.
AGAIN, NO ONE WILL KNOW THE TEAMS UNTIL AFTER OR CLOSE TO THE DEADLINE.
4. TOP 1 PRIME TEAMS:
- These are the highest ranks from each teams that made it to the first six submissions.
- They will have the privilege to choose their BATTLE TEAMS as well as change their GENRE.
WILL YOU HAVE THE SAME TEAM LEADERS AND MEMBERS?
You will have the SAME team BUT you will have the option to re-elect a new leader, volunteer to be a leader or keep it as it is.
WHAT IF A CONTENDER/TEAM DROPS OUT?
- If one team drops out, you only have one team to battle.
- If two teams drop out, finish your entry even if you won by default, in order to proceed to the next race.
- If a contender from your team drops out, adjust your partition and arrangement if necessary.
- Drop out contenders are automatically eliminated.
- No further actions are required with their joins.
Once you’re all set, plan and arrange your song entry! Use the same principle in Race 3.
Your Mushers will be given the option to participate in this Race and will only be allowed 1-3 joins for each team.
SO WHAT’S NEXT?
Remember the submission form you filled out in Race 3?
The TOY your team chose is the GENRE for your song entry.
This will be your last group song, so make it count!
We want you to put your best foot forward and be united as a team!
Unfortunately, one team from each trio battle will be eliminated for this race!
If you are eliminated, DO NOT LEAVE just yet!
ADDENDUM: TIE IN RANKS
- If the results of Race 4 showed a tie, i.e TWO Top 1 or TWO Top 2, no one will be eliminated.
If you make it through this race, you will have accomplished the first chapter of The Alpha.
The next part is where the true competition begins!
May the best sled teams win!
HIKE!
🐺RACE MECHANICS🐺
1. THEME: Genre Trio Battle.
3. SONG/GENRE: ANY released English or Filipino song from the chosen genre.
- Sub-genres and fusions will be allowed.
- Tagalog and the other dialects will be allowed.
- Embellishments such as spoken, rap and/or an extemporized ad-lib will be allowed but DO NOT alter the entire lyrics.
- A proof link must be provided in your Smule description. You may use https://bitly.com to shorten your proof link.
- YouTube links will NOT be accepted.
4. TRACK VERSION AND KEY: STICK TO VERSIONS THAT IS CLOSE TO YOUR GENRE/SUBGENRE. ANY KEY will be allowed.
- ❌ You CANNOT choose a totally opposite genre such as a JAZZ version for your ROCK GENRE. For example, Jazz version of Mr. Brightside.
- ❌ Another example of a totally opposite genre: POP/EDM genre, Sweet But Psycho in piano version that may be mistaken for an RNB genre.
- ✔️ An approved track: ROCK genre using a track that is a Stripped Guitar version. It’s close to its genre.
- ✔️ An approved track: BROADWAY but the track is from a movie.
- ✔️ You can use ANY key. For example, Mr. Brightside transposed to a female/male/-2/+1/Key of E.
- There are certain versions that may be allowed such as, but not limited to, acoustic, karaoke, MIDI and orchestra versions. Consult with the Race Marshals on this. It has to be close to your subgenre/genre.
- A CAPELLA, PARODY, MEDLEY AND/OR MASH-UP will NOT be allowed.
- Revivals will be allowed.
Your track and proof link needs to be cleared by the Race Marshals before you start.
5. OPEN TRACK: The Race Marshals or Mushers will open the track as a group entry at the Huskies hub.
- Uploading of your own track will NOT be allowed. We can upload the track for you BUT this will take time.
6. FORMAT: Audio format only. Video format will be disqualified.
7. SOUND EFFECTS: Any sound effects from Smule may be used EXCEPT Super Harmony.
- Additional sound effects and voice modifiers from the other Apps such as, but not limited to, Style Studio, GarageBand, Bandlab, Music Editor, etc will NOT be allowed.
- External audio mixers will NOT be allowed.
8. LAYERS: 1-3 joins from ONE of your Mushers (optional) and an unlimited joins for all of the contenders.
- Since there are two Mushers in each Pack, they can choose which team to join.
- NO SOLOS for the Mushers. They will be limited to ad-libs, BGV and harmonies.
- All vocal joins should be accounted for on your submission form.
9. BACKGROUND VOCALS: Pre-recorded backing vocals will NOT be allowed.
10. ORIGINAL COMPOSITION, such as replacing an entire verse, chorus, bridge or whole lyrics, will NOT be allowed.
11. COVER PHOTO: Please see attached. (Open the browser to save the image or go to the album section.)
12. HASHTAGS:
- #TheAlphaS1
- #TheAlphaS1R4
- #TheAlphaS1R4TheBattle
- #BonusApplied to your description if you won the bonus rounds.
*HASHTAGS FOR EACH PACK*
- #TheAlphaS1R4Samoyed
- #TheAlphaS1R4Siberian
- #TheAlphaS1R4Labrador
- #TheAlphaS1R4Akita
- #TheAlphaS1R4Alaskan
- #TheAlphaS1R4Sakhalin
13. SUBMISSION FORM:
- Double check your entry before submitting.
- You can only submit your entry ONCE. The subsequent submission will be rejected.
- Screen shot your submitted form for your records.
- Once you have submitted your entry, it will be locked by the Race Marshals.
14. BONUS REWARD:
USE IT OR LOSE IT!
- Watch the video below for the Bonus reveal.
CANINE TASK 1: Video will be revealed after the battle assembly.
MUSHERS TASK 1: Video will be revealed after the Race 4 results.
REMEMBER...
“The purpose of human life is to serve, to show compassion and the will to help others.”
15. SAMPLE TRACK:
16. DEADLINE DATE:
17. LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
18. OLD ENTRIES CREATED BEFORE THE DATE OF RELEASE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ENTRY MUST BE CLOSED AND MADE PUBLIC ON OR BEFORE THE DEADLINE DATE.
For questions on the Race Mechanics, please refer to the Q/A Notes at the Alpha Lair.
⚠️FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE RACE COURSE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DISQUALIFIED.⚠️
🐺JUDGING CRITERIA🐺
“In UNITY there is STRENGTH. In MUSIC there is HARMONY.” ~ The HuskieS🐺
Credits:
RACE PRODUCERS: The Ambassadors; RACE EDITOR: Ryan; RACE REVIEWERS: The HuskieS; RACE ENTRY SAMPLES: The Coaches; RACE DESIGNERS: Faye, Loyd, Mhaeil and Sheryll; RACE VIDEO EDITORS: Ryan, Sheryll and Kaye.