COMP GUIDE (Revised 2008)
Competition in USSA Northern Division is divided into six age levels: A's, J1's, J2's, J3's, J4's and J5's. Normally A's, J1's, J2's ,and J3's compete together as do J3's, J4's, and J5's. J3's can choose either venue or both. In rare and exceptional circumstances, a J4 may be deemed capable of skiing with the older skiers, in which case they need to fill out the Ski-Up Release form.
A J4 athlete has two options when joining
USSA: 1) Purchase a Youth Ski League membership which allows
the athlete to compete in all YSL and/or non-scored J3,
J4, and J5 races or, 2) At the discretion of the parents
and with the counsel of the local ski club coach, the athlete
may purchase a competition membership from USSA.
The base for all J3, J4 and J5 racing is the USSA Youth
Ski League. These programs are available through the local
ski clubs or through the ski schools at many of the ski
areas.
For individuals over the age of 19 there is a very active
masters race series, in addition to FIS and USSA-scored
events for A's.
Membership
Membership in USSA is a requirement for
participation in all Northern Races. A USSA alpine competition
membership is required for all competitors participating
in USSA scored races. A special YSL membership is available
for racers who will participate in non-scored Northern races
only. Racers must have a USSA membership before they will
be able to purchase a Northern membership.
Membership applications are available from
the Northern Alpine Competition Committee or the USSA Northern
Office.
A
racer shall race in the region/division/state in which he/she resides, or in which he/she is attending school and/or training on a long-term basis. The choice
(designation) should be based on where the racer spends the greatest part of
his/her ski season. The designation must be made at the start of the season and must be abided by the racer, for the
entire season. Any conflicts must be
resolved before participation contact the regional office.
Requests for in-season changes of affiliation must be made
in writing to the national competition director. Such in-season changes may result in loss or default of regional/divisional/state qualifying status.
Northern
ACC USSA Northern Office
2009-2010
USSA Northern License Fees
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Class
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Until Oct. 15
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After Oct. 15
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A-J3
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$25
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$40
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J4 and younger
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$20
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$35
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Medical Release Form
All athletes must sign a medical release form and have it to their coaches or Sherri Hale, Northern Division USSA Manager, P.O. Box 217, Whitefish, MT 59937, nodivmanager@northernussa.org, by December 1 for the coming competition and training season.
Entry Deadlines
and Entry Fees
All fees associated with participation in divisionally-conducted training and/or Northern Division competition projects are due prior to the start (travel day if
applicable) of the project in the divisional office. No services will be
rendered to athletes who have not made payment prior to the beginning of any
project. Applicable fees are announced at the time of the selection list or quota is announced.
If an athlete chooses not to participate in team lodging, then that athlete must notify the divisional manager at the time that selections are announced and confirmation is made.
Athletes not in good standing with Northern as of travel day of all divisional quota events are subject to immediate sanctioning. Good standing is defined as current USSA and Northern Division membership and no outstanding debts owed the division.
Refunds will be granted for withdrawal from projects or competition trips or for partial attendance for injury, illness or family emergency on the following
schedule:
- 100% -- 14 days prior to the first day of the project (includes travel day)
- 75% -- 7 days prior to the first day of the project
- 50% -- 0 to 6 days prior to the first day of the project
- $? -- Recoverable costs only after the beginning of the project.
- Also, with regard to Northern Division race entries, entry fees will only be
refundable
(except in the case of injury, illness, or family emergency)
if the athlete is pulled from the Northern event by 5 p.m. the previous day.
Racing
out of Northern Division
Northern Division racers wishing to compete
in out-of-division events must submit a request to the ACC
Chairman at least three weeks for USSA, four weeks for FIS prior
to the entry deadline for the event. Where the number of
requests exceeds the number of entries that Northern is
allowed, racers will be selected on the basis of their seeding
points.
Racers will not normally be allowed to
compete in out-of-division races that conflict with Northern
Division races. Racers who compete in out-of-division races
without the permission of the ACC Chairman will be ineligible
for Western Region and Northern Division quota teams.
Quotas
USSA Northern's quotas for events where
Northern representation is by quota, but for which a procedure
is not established, will be filled by the Northern ACC,
using criteria described here. The Northern ACC will also
consider special circumstances, such as illness, injury,
and conflicts of races, in making selections.
For a discussion of Western Region quotas for National and International races, click here. The rights and restrictions for foreign athletes are also covered in that document.
Northern Division Code of Conduct
All athletes who are members of Northern Division must sign the 2009/2010 Code of Conduct. This must be turned into their coach or Sherri Hale, Northern Division USSA Manager, P.O. Box 217, Whitefish, MT 59937, nodivmanager@northernussa.org, by December 1.
Out of Division
Team Conduct
Racers who do not participate in the USSA Northern programs
will not be eligible for selection to teams representing
USSA Northern, and current members who do not continue to
participate may be dropped. The Northern Division has established
guidelines for selection of teams.
Out-of-division team members represent the division. Team
members' appearance and conduct shall be of the highest
quality at all times. Any unreasonable conduct or undesirable
personal appearance will result in being dropped from the
out-of-division team. All team members shall follow training
schedules and other reasonable demands made of them by the
team coach.
Awards
At all races, there shall be a set of awards for each of
the A, J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5 classes. The only exception
to this is there will be no award given to invited A, J
l, and J2 racers to a J3, J4, and J5 race or to invited
J3 racers to an A, J1, and J2 race.
Seeding
Seeding and start orders for Northern Division events shall
be as for all USSA events where competitors are scored (see
national section of this Guide). In non-scored events and
where designated, the TRS Method of seeding will be used.
The TRS Method is as follows:
First Run: All races are run starting with youngest class proceeding to oldest class. All racers are drawn at random within class.
Second Run: The order
of the first run is reversed within the class. All classes
will run beginning with the youngest class proceeding to
the oldest class. All age class competitors will receive
second runs regardless of DSQ's and DNF's in the first run.
The DSQ's and DNF's will run at the end of their respective
classes. Distinguishing medals shall be presented to first
second, and third places. Ribbons may be presented to subsequent
places.
Equipment Rules
There are new equipment rules as of the 2009-2010 season. A chart which shows the length, turning radius, etc. for each event is here.
Quota
Team Rules and Selection Procedures
Major Events
To be eligible for consideration for a divisional quota
spot or to race in out-of-division races, a racer must file
an Intent to Compete form with the alpine director and compete
in at least one divisional race in the appropriate discipline
in to which the racer is traveling. They must be a divisional
member with a permanent address within the boundaries of
Northern Division. Any exceptions will be handled by the
alpine director.
Coaching
and Travel
The division will normally arrange for coaching, housing,
and transportation of coaches for quota teams except for teams where
the Western Region handles such arrangements. All team members
will be required to participate in the arranged packages.
In exceptional circumstances, exemptions from this rule
may be granted by the alpine director when it is deemed
to be in the best interest of the division and an individual
competitor.
Western
Region Elite and FIS Series
Quota: Four men/Four
women for Tech Elite series. Selections will be made using the USSA seed point
portion of the region's selection board method. All athletes
must have a USSA license and have reached the age of 15
by December 3I. The seed point board will be expanded to
include more than the top 4 men/women so that other top
racers can participate in the Elite/FIS races if any of
the top 8 choose not to compete, or if additional quota
slots are allocated to the Northern Division during the
season. Such allocations will be made by the Western Region
using the Quota Expansion Method. Twenty (20) percent of
the divisional quota may be allocated to discretionary selections.
The use of this discretionary quota shall be the decision
of the divisional ACC. Coaches should submit letters of
recommendation for legitimate candidates to be considered
for selection.
Out of
Region FIS Races
For out of region FIS races where a regional
team is not named, and where the Western Region does not
organize the trip, entries must be authorized and submitted
by the divisional offices or ACC chairman 35 days prior
to the event. Entries must be completed, and official FIS
green sheets must be in the western region office to be
considered. Current national points for each racer must
accompany the FIS entry form.
The divisional office will then submit the approved entries
to the proper race organizer. Each division is responsible
for insuring that entry fees accompany properly submitted
forms. Other divisions and regions are under no obligation
to accept improperly submitted entries.
Inter-Divisional
Entries
Entries to inter-divisional competitions must be handled
by the divisional offices or ACC Chairman for the divisions
concerned. No competitor, coach or parent may enter racers
in another division without the proper approval.
Northern
Race Series
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Jim
Barrier Gold Cup |
The Gold Cup is Northern Division's premier race series. This is a continental cup type competition for the top racers in Northern Division. Races counting for Gold Cup points are the Jl and J2 qualifiers, open races, and OHG and are open to all A, J1, J2, & J3 competitors.
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Bill Kenney
Series |
The Bill Kenney Series runs parallel to the Gold Cup Series. This is a continental cup type competition for J1's, J2's and J3's in Northern Division. Bill Kenney Race Series is open to all high school competitors meeting point qualifications.
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Little
Hollow Team Cup |
A club (team) award will be given at each Northern division race. The award is for quality not quantity and is intended to promote junior racing, club spirit, and unity. At season's end the top three overall clubs will be recognized and awards presented at the Over the Hill Gang race. Club points will be calculated as follows:
Men: "Total men's points" is equal to the number of Northern Division junior clubs entered times four (regardless of the number of competitors representing a club, only the top four placing men from each club will be considered in calculating points). Among the competitors representing Northern Division junior clubs, the highest placing individual is awarded a score equal to "total men's points" , the second place individual is awarded a score equal to " total men's points" minus one, and so on. Once four members of a club have been awarded a score, no more members from that club will be awarded a score. Club men's points are equal to the sum of the four individual points awarded. Club points are limited to finishing competitors there is not an average or handicap score awarded to the clubs with fewer than four finishing competitors.
Women: Same as men only change the multiple from four to three. Once three members of a club have been awarded a score, no more members from that club will be awarded a score. Club women's points are equal to the sum of the three individual points awarded.
Total club points are equal to the sum of club men's and club women's points. The weekend series' club award will be given to the club with the highest club points.
Total club points will be accumulated over the season. Season club awards will be presented to the clubs accumulating the first, second and third highest club points.
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YSL Championship Trophies |
These are awarded to Super Combined champions, team and individual, during the YSL Championship Series in Northern Division. All three events will be scored for teams and individuals. The top three placing male and female athletes from the results sheets from each team will be scored for the team result. The individual champions will also be scored by placing on the results sheet from each of the three disciplines.
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Northern
Academic
Alpine Team |
Selection: Must have at least a 3.5 grade point average in an accredited high school and be selected to attend Junior 1 or Junior 2 Olympics.
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Northern
Youth Ski League
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Youth Ski League racing is a nationally organized program for any child under the age ' of 13 years who is interested in ski racing. This program is being run in conjunction with , the local ski clubs and ski schools. This program provides fun and instructional racing for young skiers. You are invited to enter any J3, J4 and JS races in Northern Division.
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Youth Racing
Championships
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Check the race schedule for location and date of the Youth Racing Championships. The races will use the TRS method as explained in the Entry Level Series section of this Guide. Prizes will be awarded to all competitors and the events could include dual slalom and team giant slalom. To be eligible to race in a youth race, a Youth USSA membership, plus $15.00 entry fee is required. Information on USSA Northern area race organization entry procedure and events to be held is available through the Northern Division Office.
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Any parent, athlete, coach, volunteer or official that
physically or verbally assaults or threatens any volunteer,
athlete or official shall be considered a minor offense
and given a warning. If the abuse continues, it will be
considered a second offense. The person doing the abusing
shall be required to leave the race area immediately and
not be permitted to return to the race area for the remainder
of the day. The race will be stopped until this person leaves.
If this person refuses to leave the race area, the ski patrol
will be asked to remove this person from the hill. This
shall be considered a third offense and this person (volunteer,
official, athlete or coach) will not be allowed at any race
area for one year.
Any infraction of this rule will be included on the TD
report and a copy will be sent to the Officials Committee.
The only appeal will be through the Northern Division Board,
but the penalty will stand until the ND Board decides.
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