Frequently Asked Questions: Races

A race is a competitive event, in addition to that of normal scheduled training. They are usually held on weekends but there may be times when older children are required to miss school to attend a race.

2. Why Should I Send My Child To A Race?

The Nancy Greene Ski League introduces children to competition. These events, held at the club, zone, and provincial level, provide young skiers the opportunity to test the skills they have learned in the program in a fun and friendly environment. The emphasis in competition is placed on individual progress, team results, camaraderie, and fair play.

3. What Types Of Races Are There?

Slalom - Shortest turns of all events set with Single poles. Younger kids will race with short gates about hip high. Older kids race with full gates and require protective gear so that they can get close to the gates and hit them out of their way for a faster line.
Dual Slalom - Turns are set with 2 courses side by side. Turn shape is between slalom and giant slalom.
Giant Slalom (referred to as GS) more open turns and is set with 2 gates side by side and a panel attaching the 2 together. This is the most often raced event for younger kids.
Super Giant Slalom (referred to as Super-G) gates are spaced wider apart than GS gates. Kids can start to race this event at age 11.
Downhill – The fastest of all events. Kids will not race this event unless very competitive, at around age 15+.

4. Who Holds A Race?

Any club can hold a race if they wish to. Certain events need to be bid on. It is important for clubs to hold races so that all teams have a variety to choose from. Hosting a race requires a lot of effort but is also very rewarding.

5. Who Is In Charge At A Race?

The coach is always in charge. If there is more than one coach than the athletes will be divided amongst the coaches and that coach will be responsible for those kids assigned to him/her.

6. What Is Involved If My Child Goes To A Race?

Your child will meet with his/her coach the morning of the race and receive a lift ticket and a bib #. Coaches will take the kids up to look at the course before they race it (referred to as course inspection) There is often one run in the morning and one in the afternoon. Coaches can let parents know when the kids are scheduled to run and when they will be back for lunch. Often times unless you are skiing, it will be hard to see the course from the bottom of the hill. Parents should expect only to be involved with their kids during lunch and after the race is over.

7. Can My Child Go Free Skiing With Me At A Race?

Because a race is not like a regular training day, everything must be approved through a coach first. If kids take off for any variety of reason then kids run the chance of missing their start. Free skiing should ONLY be done at the end of the day unless a coach agrees to it otherwise.

8. How Do They Decide Bib #'s?

For younger children, bib numbers are drawn either by team or by age. It is very random and numbers are often not significant of anything. Athletes' aged 11+ will have national points. This is a scoring system based on past results. All new racers start with 999 and can lower their points with each better result. The top 30 lowest points are often drawn and then slotted in after that. Any new racers start at the end, determined by a draw.

9. What Costs Are Associated With A Race?

There is always an entry fee for each racer. This sometimes includes a lift ticket as well, if not the ticket would be an added cost to pay for. The hosting club sets entry fees. Parents must also split the costs for any coaches attending the race. This includes food, accommodations (if required); lift passes, wages and transportation. Each athlete is responsible for his/her own food.

10. Why Are 2-Day Races More Expensive To Attend?

Racer entry fees are higher for a 2-day event and so are the coaching costs.

11. Who Pays For Lift Tickets And Is There A Discount?

Lift tickets for kids are sometimes included in their race entry, if not a coach will purchase all of the tickets for the kids. This is one of the costs that may be additional. Parents can sometimes receive discounts if attending a race. They should ask a coach about this. Any parent that volunteers will receive a free lift pass.

12. How Are The Costs Divided?

All costs associated with a race are divided amongst all of the kids that attend. Coaches wages, transportation, food and accommodations all need to be covered and all attendees share this responsibility equally.

13. What Is A Volunteer?

Volunteers are a key component to ski racing events across Canada. In order to volunteer at a ski race as a "race official", volunteers are required to have an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the "Race Organizing Committee". Without volunteers races would not take place.

14. Who Needs To Volunteer And Why?

All parents need to volunteer. It is not fair that 90% of the volunteer commitment comes from 10% of the people. Volunteers help make a program run better and more cost effectively. If everyone were to volunteer a few hours here and there then nobody would have to do any excessive amount of work. It is also very important that new parents volunteer so that they can mentor in roles of older parents whose children will eventually move on from the club.

15. What Do I Need To Do Or Know If I Volunteer At A Race?

There are several positions that need to be filled at a race. The host club generally fills the "key" positions so you don't have to worry that they will put you in a position where you are in charge. The "chief" of that role will instruct you on what needs to be done. Besides if you don't try you will never know. Your child's experience in ski racing is only as good as your commitment.

16. Responsibilities As An Official At A Race:

Officials Code Of Conduct

Alpine Ski Officials must demonstrate high standards of judgment and competency at all times. The hallmarks of good officials are promptness, firmness, and justice, tempered by tact and consideration.
Officials must be impartial and must supervise and control an event in a manner that reflects the spirit and intent of the rules and regulations. They will provide a competition that will preserve the health and safety of all involved. They will do their utmost to guarantee that each competitor receives an equal and fair opportunity to win. They will promote sportsmanship and an atmosphere of enjoyment.
Officials shall maintain high standards of moral and ethical conduct, which includes self-control and responsible behavior, consideration for others' physical and emotional well-being and courtesy and good manners at competitions.
Officials shall abstain from the use of illegal drugs and from immoderate consumption of alcohol while in the performance of their duties as a representative of the Association.
Officials shall refrain from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language in the conduct of his/her duties.

17. Responsibilities As An Athlete At A Race:

Athlete Code Of Conduct

Compete/Participate in a spirit of fair play and honesty.
Compete/Participate within the rules of Alpine Ski Racing.
Avoid the use, advocating, promoting or distributing banned substances.
Refrain from use of tobacco products.
Refrain from using alcohol at Alpine Events.
Refrain from profane, insulting or otherwise offensive language.
Address fellow athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, event organizers, spectators and others associated with Alpine Ski Racing in a courteous and respectful manner.
Do not provide alcohol to an under age individual.
Act in a manner that will bring credit to Alpine Ski Racing and your self.
Respect an individual's dignity; verbal or physical behaviors are unacceptable.
Ensure the safety of others.

18. Responsibilities As A Coach At A Race:

Attend all coaches meetings.
Relay the race schedule to all of the parents and athletes
Hand out bibs and tickets the morning of the race
Inspect the course with all of the athletes
Remain on hill until all athletes have started and completed their runs
Ensure athletes are accounted for at the end of the day
Ensure all athletes help with course tear down
Check the DSQ board and protest if necessary
Coach and athletes are to attend all award ceremonies

Coach Code Of Conduct

Respect for Participants - coaches are to act in a respectful manner for the dignity of all participants in the sport.
Responsible Coaching - the activities of coaches will benefit society in general and participants in particular, and will do no harm.
Integrity in Relationships - coaches are expected to be honest, sincere and honorable in their relationships with others.
Honoring Sport - to recognize, act on and promote the value of sport for individuals, teams, other partners in the sport and for society in general.

19. Responsibilities As A Parent At A Race:

Let the coach do his/her job
Address issues after the race and not in front of athletes
Ensure athlete makes it to the ski hill and on time with all of their proper equipment
Respect the coach and other athletes
Volunteer whenever possible
Do not take athlete anywhere without the coaches knowledge and permission
Ask questions if you are not sure of something
Attend all award ceremonies, even if your child has not won something. This is for respect of competition and team spirit.

20. What Do I Do If My Child Needs To Miss School For An Event?

The sport of ski racing may conflict with traditional school programs due to the fact that competition and training sometimes takes the athlete away from regular class time. As the athlete advances to higher levels of competition, the challenge of balancing school and skiing increases.

21. School And Teacher Communication

The provincial schedules and club training schedules are planned with the objective of minimizing conflict with school and exams however it is inevitable that there will be days of school missed over the season. Proactive communication of athletic schedules will allow teachers to prepare for these absences and enable them to help athletes keep up with their work. The following recommendations will help racers keep up with their schoolwork:

Student and parent should meet with teachers early in the year to discuss the ski program in general and the desire of the athlete to come up with a plan that allows for success in school and skiing.
Student and parent should meet again with the individual teachers later in the fall to provide a complete calendar of days away from school and to agree on a strategy to stay up to date with school work.
One to two weeks before a scheduled race or training camp the student should remind the teacher that he/she will be absent and agree upon how the missed work will be handled.
The onus is on the student (with the support of parents) to complete the missed work in the manner the teachers prefer in order to stay current at school.

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