Race Quality Report Summary 2015 Season

Race Quality Reports Completed by TD, COR and Referee following each zone race Report comments consolidated and sent out to all zone race officials Opportunity to provide constructive feedback on all aspects of the event Helps to improve race quality in the region.

Key Findings: Continue racing after an infraction The core issue: Racers continuing in the course after an infraction Straddling, missing gates and returning into the course, stopping in GS then continuing, impeding the following racer (628.8) continues to race after committing a gate fault or after a complete stop or violates the rule Loss of one Ski ( ) Interdiction to continue after a gate fault: If a competitor misses a gate, he must no longer continue through further gates. ( ) Interdiction to continue after a competitor stops: If a competitor comes to a complete stop (e.g. after a fall) he must no longer continue through previous or further gates. This interdiction is valid in all events with a fixed start interval. (Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom). Only exception is for Slalom as long as the competitor: Does not interfere with the run of the next competitor or, has not been passed by the next competitor ( ) Loss of one ski: If a competitor loses a ski without having committed a gate fault or without coming to a complete stop, he may continue as long as he: Does not interfere with the run of the next competitor or, has not been passed by the next competitor This is a safety issue: When a racer skis or falls out of the course (and stops) a jury member will radio “racer #xx DNF” Course crew members may enter the course: slipping, fixing Timing will also remove the racer’s pulse. If the athlete re-enters the course and finishes, this may cause race delays or re-runs Action: Coaches- remind your athletes of these rules. They will be sanctioned in they continue in a race after an infraction

Key Findings: Panel Installation The core issue: Gate panels are being installed incorrectly, creating a safety issue for competitors Fastened on both sides Fastened on the wrong pole Gate panels differ among the clubs (690.1) Gate panels should release from the pole when a competitor gets caught by it. The gate panel must meet the test requirements for this as defined in the specifications for Gate Panel Homologation ( )…They are fastened between the poles so that the lower edge on the panel is approx. 1m above the snow and should be capable of tearing or breaking away from the pole. (1224.1)…fastened in such a way so as to tear or break away Action: Instruct course crew on proper installation. "tightened" side of the panel is on the outside pole of the turning gate

Key Findings: Radio Protocol The core issue: Too many people and too much chatter on Jury channel Not a dedicated channel for the Jury Course crew, coaches, on Jury channel Start/Stop protocol not adhered to Excessive course clears…not enough course clears Charged replacement batteries for radios not available on very cold days Referee not responding for course clears Action: Good radio protocol must be observed

Key Findings: Equipment at the ready The core issue: Equipment and tools not available for course repair and maintenance in a timely manner Drills, rakes, gates, panels, netting, willy-bags, shovels, dye-pack Course crew not available This leads to race stops and delays Action: Have all equipment ready at the start of the race and/or placed along the race run with course crew members

Key Findings: Other Forerunners: Limit forerunners to 3-5 Same course for men and women: no need for forerunners before men’s start Course Inspection: Athletes should be allowed to inspect a course from the start gate through the finish line. (ICR ) Awards: An SQA initiative is to have the awards ceremony, 30min after the last racer. Evaluate the barriers and look for opportunities to achieve the SQA goal. Fence transport: At the 2014 FIS update the safety committee strongly recommends that b-netting IS NOT carried on the shoulder and only 1 roll is transported at a time. Athletes should never transport netting on a chairlift, as this represents a significant safety risk. Inspection: Coaches should be reminded of inspection protocols: “by side slipping”

Key Findings: Other Start referee: (ICR ) The Start Referee must remain at the start from the beginning of the official inspection time and until the end of the training/event. If the start referee leaves his position (i.e. between runs) it is a safety issue to the public and may lead to unauthorized access to the course. Some hills relieve the Start Referee with another Level II official for lunch break. DNFs: Jury member announces "#35 did not finish“ over the radio, timing acknowledges, "#35 did not finish". This ensures timing records the DNF and that the racer will not finish. Course crew: many close calls between racers and course crew. Remind course crew of appropriate protocol for slipping and course repairs. Also communicate start interval for the race. Remind athletes that excessive speed outside of the race course will not be tolerated Large "sandwich board" with race schedule is a great tool. This provides key information to course crew, athletes, coaches, parents, etc. In extreme cold weather, consider delaying start so that athletes could warm up after inspection.

Case Studies Level II Officials Course November 14

Missing in Action You have your Officials Level II Your hill is hosting a U14 race. The scheduled Chief of Gates was suffering from the Norwalk virus and could not make it The COR calls you at 7am and asks if you can step up and be the Chief of Gates. There are no other available Level II's at your club. You have never been the Chief of Gates before. What are your options? What do you do?

Do we need a Hand Timer at the Start? You are the Start Referee at your child's race. The race has started on schedule and the forerunners and the first 10 racers have gone down. A coach approaches you after seeing his athlete in the start and advises you there is no "hand timer" in the start As Start Referee, what are your options? What do you do?

Where is the Referee Report? After the 2nd run in a U16 race, the hill crew was very efficient and got all the equipment and materials put away, including the timing boards. When the Referee completes the DSQ list there is no where to post it The Referee reviews the 1 DSQ and states that it was a clear DSQ and no protest will be made You are the COR. What are your options? What do you do?

My kid doesn’t get a Re-Run!!!!! You are the Finish referee Bib #11 is racing down their 1 st run in a U12 race A member of the hill crew is raking furiously at gate #22. 2 gates from the finish, but in full view As the racer approaches, the hill crew member backs off the gate but is still extremely close, if not in the racing line. The racer obviously adjusts their racing line to avoid the crew member and proceeds to finish their run The parent of the racer, confronts the Finish Referee and demands a re-run for their child As the Finish Referee, what do you do?

Great Start! You are the Start Referee for a U14 slalom race Your child is in the start gate Upon starters orders, the racer has to start within the 10sec However, the racer, prior to the start order, lifted their poles. Upon the start order, re-planted them giving them added acceleration out of the start. Find the ICR rule that addresses this situation What do you do?

1 Gate Keeper Short You are the Chief of Gates for a u14 race Not enough volunteers from your club signed up to volunteer as most other age groups are racing elsewhere You approach a group of ski racing parents looking for a gatekeeper 10 of them are keen to help out Who do you pick?

Picking Daises? You are the Start Referee during a U12 race. Everything is running on schedule. Female racer #43 misses their start. There are 80 female racers. Racer #43 shows up, when racer #75 is in the start gate. She complains that the lift had stopped and that is why she missed her start. What are your options? What do you do?

Referee Dilemma You are the Chief of Gates (not a member of the jury) for a U10 race and happen to be at Coaches Corner on the race run. All the coaches are videotaping their racers. You see racer #21 clearly straddle a gate. Very clearly! When the Referee’s report for DSQ’s is posted #21 is not there What are your options? What do you do?

Potty Mouth In the 2 nd run of a U16 race, racer #2 is on the “bubble” of making it to provincial championships is racing down the run in a GS. You have graciously volunteered to be the TD for this event. When he passes you, he is shouting obscenities like you have never heard before. Characterizing the course like a “F**K up” course over and over, as he is racing. He finishes, qualifies for provincials. What are your options? What do you do?

Hitting the breaks in a GS Your are the COR at a U12 event. Racer #80 slides out of the course right in front of you and comes to a stop. They get up and push up hill and make it around the next gate. They pass all the gates on the course correctly. What action do you take? What if this was a slalom run….would your actions be different?