Rules and Regulations

Modern Classic Challenge
Status: 12 April 2026

1. Eligibility

Participation in the Modern Classic Challenge is open to all persons who are at least 18 years old and can provide proof of at least two years of work experience in a sauna facility.

2. Registration

Registration is binding and may only be cancelled for an important reason, in particular in cases of proven illness, serious family events or the birth of the participant’s own child.

The registration fee for the qualifying rounds — SNC – Saunaaufguss Newcomer Challenge and MCC – Modern Classic Challenge — for the SEC – Saunaaufguss Experts Challenge is €150.
Finalists of the Experts Challenge will not be charged an additional participation fee.

In the event of cancellation by the participant after binding registration, the following processing and cancellation fees apply:

• up to 90 days before the start of the event: free cancellation
• from 89 to 60 days before the start of the event: €100.00
• from 59 to 30 days before the start of the event: €150.00
• from 29 days before the start of the event or in case of no-show: €250.00

Further claims for damages remain unaffected if higher proven damages have occurred.

The invoice will be issued to the address provided in the registration form.

2.10 Binding Nature of Participation

By confirming the registration, the participant accepts the complete rules and regulations as binding.
No verbal side agreements exist.

2.11 Obligation to Provide Proof in Case of Cancellation

If a cancellation is claimed for health reasons, the organizer may request suitable proof, such as a medical certificate.
If no proof is provided, the regular cancellation fees apply.

2.12 Compensation for Organizational Damages

If the organizer incurs additional proven damages due to a short-notice cancellation, for example printing costs, rebookings, technical adjustments, program changes or advertising material, the right to assert further claims remains reserved.

2.13 No Participation for Prestige Purposes

Registration may only be made if there is a serious intention to participate.
Registrations made purely for reservation, prestige or advertising purposes may be cancelled by the organizer.

2.14 Exclusion Due to Repeated Unreliability

Participants who have cancelled at short notice in the past, ignored deadlines or significantly disrupted organizational procedures may be excluded from future events.

3. Show Aufguss Concept

Each participant is required to develop an individual and creative concept for their Show Aufguss and present it during the competition.

Concept Criteria

The concept should focus on creativity, originality and safety.

Only tested and safe Aufguss substances may be used, such as essential oils, infusions and incense.

After the Aufguss, if suitable, a peeling or similar product may be handed out to guests in the shower area.

Safety Regulations

Open fire inside the sauna cabin is strictly prohibited.

Incense is permitted, provided it is used safely.

Submission of Documents

Each participant is required to submit a complete fragrance list.

The documents are used by the organizer for preparation and coordination with the technical support team.

4. Competition Procedure

Each participant has a fixed period of time to present their Show Aufguss concept.

Before the start of the Aufguss, the essential oils, infusions or incense used must be handed over to the jury at least 30 minutes before the Aufguss in order to allow a safety check.

The use of low-quality synthetically produced fragrances and perfume oils is prohibited.

No active interference in the Aufguss by helpers, guests or others is permitted.

The dosing of essential oils must be carried out exclusively by the participant.

The arrangement and preparation of towels and waving utensils must be carried out by the participant.

During the event days, no test setups, rehearsals or preparations of the Aufguss are permitted outside the officially assigned preparation time. This includes, in particular, the setup of decorations, the preparation of towels, props, technical equipment or any other equipment.

Each participant receives a preparation time of exactly 15 minutes immediately before their own Aufguss.
Any preparation activities before this period will result in immediate disqualification.

A light and sound check is permitted after prior coordination with the lighting technician, provided that this does not involve any setup, rehearsal of the Aufguss or disruption of the ongoing event operations.

5. Competition Procedure

Modern Classic Concept

The total duration of the presentation must not exceed 15 minutes.

The presentation must last at least 10 minutes.

If the time limit is exceeded or undercut by up to 1 minute, 5 points will be deducted.
Any further deviation will result in disqualification.

Before the start of the Aufguss, the essential oils, infusions or incense used must be handed over to the jury at least 30 minutes before the Aufguss in order to allow a safety check.

The use of synthetic fragrances or perfume oils is strictly prohibited.

The introduction, including all safety-relevant information and the naming of the fragrances, must be carried out by the participant and counts as part of the Aufguss time.

No active interference in the Aufguss by helpers, guests or others is permitted.

The Aufguss must mainly be performed with a towel.
Fans are permitted, flags are not permitted.

The use of menthol crystals is prohibited.

The use of essential oils, birch whisks, incense and infusions is permitted.

5.1 Attendance Requirement

Participants must be on site and ready to perform no later than the time communicated by the organizer.

Late arrival may result in a point deduction or disqualification.

5.11 Responsibility for Completeness

Each participant is personally responsible for music, costume, helpers, props and timely preparation.

Missing helpers, forgotten materials or technical problems caused by the participant do not entitle the participant to a postponement.

5.12 Competition Format

Each participant of the Modern Classic Challenge must present their Aufguss concept.

The focus is on a classic-modern Aufguss with emphasis on technique, harmony and precision.

At least the four classic waving techniques are expected.
Show waving techniques are permitted for clean and harmonious transitions.

6. Evaluation Criteria

The Aufguss presentations are evaluated by a competent and independent expert jury consisting of experienced sauna masters and recognized sauna experts.

The jury follows a fixed evaluation sheet covering the following main categories:

6.1 Creativity and Originality

Innovative concepts:
Is a creative approach chosen that stands out from traditional Aufguss performances?

Choice of theme:
Does the chosen theme of the Aufguss fit the overall staging, and is it implemented consistently?

Individuality:
How well does the Aufguss reflect the participant’s personality and style?

Inventiveness:
Are new and original elements used that surprise the audience and the jury?

6.11 Show Effects

Visual design:
Are lighting, color and effect elements used purposefully to support the atmosphere?

Music and sound:
Does the choice of music or sound effects match the theme and contribute to the atmosphere?

Costume:
Is the staging enhanced by themed clothing or props?

Synchronization:
How harmoniously are the individual waving elements coordinated with each other?

6.12 Aufguss Technique

Handling of equipment:
Are towels and other utensils used safely and professionally?

Temperature control:
How well does the participant manage to control and evenly distribute the heat development inside the sauna cabin?

Clean execution:
Are the waving techniques performed precisely and without interruptions?

Time management:
Is the specified time frame of 10 to 15 minutes observed, and is the performance balanced within this time frame?

6.13 Interaction with the Audience

Guest orientation:
Are the guests actively involved during the presentation, for example through greeting, explanation of the Aufguss substances or entertainment?

Empathy:
Does the participant respond to the needs and well-being of the sauna guests?

Atmosphere:
How well does the participant create a pleasant atmosphere that inspires and relaxes the audience?

The story may be presented live by the participant or played as a recorded voice-over.

6.14 Safety and Hygiene

Safety measures:
Are all safety requirements of the organizer observed, such as the use of tested Aufguss substances and the prohibition of open fire?

Carefulness:
Are materials and utensils used professionally in order to avoid risks for participants and guests?

Cleanliness:
Contamination of the sauna cabin and the stove before and after the Aufguss will be taken into account.

Hygiene standards:
Are hygienic working methods observed during the presentation?

6.15 Overall Impression

Atmosphere:
How coherent and atmospheric is the overall performance?

Harmony:
Are all elements — from music to technique to interaction — connected in a meaningful way?

Audience impact:
How enthusiastic and impressed is the audience by the presentation?

6.16 Points System

The jury awards points in each category on a scale from 0.5 to 20 points.

The maximum total score is determined by adding together all points awarded in the individual categories.

Half points may be awarded in order to reflect fine differences in evaluation.

6.17 Time Management and Disqualification

Time limit, Modern Classic:
Exceeding the maximum time of 15:00 minutes will automatically result in disqualification of the participant.

Undercutting the minimum time, Modern Classic:
If the presentation lasts less than 10 minutes, this will negatively affect the evaluation.

The sauna cabin may not be left during the Aufguss, except in cases of health problems or similar circumstances.

6.18 Feedback

Individual feedback:
After the event, each participant receives detailed feedback from the jury. This includes strengths of the performance as well as recommendations for possible improvements.

Transparency:
The awarded points and jury feedback will be made available to participants upon request in order to provide a clear insight into the evaluation.

7. Prizes

Vouchers, non-cash prizes and, if applicable, cash prizes will be awarded.

The participants placed 1st to 6th also qualify for the final of the SEC – Saunaaufguss Experts Challenge.

8. Audience Participation

The audience has the opportunity to vote for their favorite.

This vote is a separate mini-competition and does not influence the official jury score.

The most popular participants from the audience’s point of view will be honored separately.

9. Fair Play and Ethics

All participants are expected to follow fair and ethical practices throughout the entire Challenge.

Unsportsmanlike behavior, such as deliberately disturbing other participants, will result in immediate disqualification.

9.10 Damage to Reputation / Hate Speech

Public defamation, deliberately false statements or business-damaging statements about the organizer, jury, sponsors or participants may result in immediate exclusion from ongoing and future events.

9.11 Confidentiality of Internal Procedures

Internal jury content, scores, group chats, organizational internal matters or confidential information may not be published without consent.

10. Documentation

The event will be documented, and highlights may be used for advertising purposes and future events.

Participants agree to this use.

11. Disclaimer of Liability

Participation is at the participant’s own risk.

The organizer assumes no liability for injuries, damages or losses that may occur during the event.

12. Changes to the Rules and Regulations

The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the rules and regulations if this is necessary to ensure a smooth running of the competition.

12.1 House Rules / Final Decision

The organizer exercises house rules within the scope of the event.

In cases of doubt, the organizer’s decision is final and not subject to appeal in the interest of an orderly competition procedure.