Revised October 17, 2009

INTRODUCTION anecdote

The Southern Vermont Council is the governing body for junior-level ski racing in Southern Vermont. The Council is comprised of Program Directors and ski coaches from all six area ski racing programs (Bromley Outing Club, Magic Mountain, Mount Snow Training Center, Mount Snow Academy, Stratton Mountain School, Stratton Training Center, Vermont Academy, and Willard Mountain).

The purpose of the Council is to:

• establish new and innovative approaches to ski racing in Southern Vermont that will be both beneficial and fun for all racers
• develop proposals and formulate recommendations for presentation to the Vermont Alpine Racing Association (VARA) and VARA’s Alpine Competition Committee,
• discuss and resolve specific race or racer-related issues,
• establish the race schedule for the season,
• provide ribbons and medals for the top finishers at Junior IV and V races and awards for all racers named to the Council Teams for the J4-5 and J3 State Championships, and
• to review Council, VARA, and USSA rules and regulations governing ski racing and to formulate appropriate rules and regulations for the various age classes and all Council-sponsored races.

COUNCIL-SPONSORED RACES

The Council sponsors two separate race series: the Clayton J5 League Race Series and the Southern Vermont Council Race Series.

A racers age.

In keeping with USSA rules a racers age is determined by how old the racer is on December 31st of the current racing season.

Clayton J5 League Race Series:

The Clayton J5 League is for Junior racers age 8-10 years of age. Racers under 8 years of age are considered J6's and may not compete in the Clayton J5 Race Series. These races are the entry level races in the SVC. The League was created to promote and sustain greater interest in ski racing and to make Council-sponsored races more exciting and fun for ALL racers, regardless of ability. Age and ability appropriate races are scheduled for junior racers, with awards based on combined run times with medals awarded for the top 3 boys and top 3 girls, and ribbons for the top 4-10 boys and top 4-10 girls in each race. The League is named in memory and honor of Betty Clayton, former Program Director of the Bromley Outing Club, in recognition of her tireless dedication and commitment to junior ski racing.

Southern Vermont Council Race Series:

The Council Race Series is designed for Junior racers 11 to 14 years of age interested in participating at a level of competition leading to the State Championships. Age-appropriate races are scheduled for the two different age groups (J4 11-12 yr olds & J3 13-14 yr olds) racing in the Council Series. Awards are presented at each race based on combined run times. For each age group the top 10 boys and top 10 girls receive a medal. All Southern Vermont Council eligible junior racers participating in the Council Series are eligible to compete for selection to the Council Teams for participation at the Vermont State Championships. Racers 8 to 12 years of age named to the Council Team compete in the J4-5 State Championship, while racers 13 & 14 years of age named to the Council Team compete at the J3 State Championship.

A J5 competing in the Southern Vermont Council J4 Race Series may compete in two or less Council races and still compete in Clayton J5 League races. However, once the competitor has 3 starts in Council races they may not return to competitions in the Clayton J5 League (Based upon council discretion).

For ease of use, all rules and regulations are arranged and presented by Race Series and, where appropriate, by age group classification.

Please refer to the VARA calendar for additional rules and requirements for junior racing.

CLAYTON J5 LEAGUE RACE SERIES
JUNIORS 10 YEARS OF AGE AND UNDER

MEMBERSHIPS:

All racers must have current memberships in VARA (Vermont Alpine Racing Association) and the Youth Ski League of the United States Ski Association (USSA).

EQUIPMENT:

Helmets: The SVC complies with all rules and regulations of the United States Ski Association (USSA) and recommends the use of helmets at all times. The USSA requires helmets to be worn by all racers at USSA-sanctioned slalom and giant slalom races, and requires full ear protection (no open ear helmets).

RACES:

Second Run Start Time: Second run start time is determined by the host mountain. The second run typically begins one hour after the completion of the second run course set.

Seeding for Runs: The race field is divided into cells of equal size, 1 cell for each scheduled race for the season. The cells rotate the first run of each race to allow each cell of racers the opportunity to race in the first seed. Example: If you have 5 races scheduled for the season you would have 5 cells, A, B, C, D, E. In the first race cell A would go first then B, C, D, and E last. For the second race of the season cell B would go first then C, D, E, A, and so forth. Seeding for the second run is based on first run finish times. The top 15 finishers are raced in reverse order, followed by all remaining racers in order of finish time. Racers not completing the first run race at the end.

Number and Format: discipline to be determine at SVC spring meeting.

Timing of Runs: Racers are individually timed on each run. All runs are electronically timed, with back up timing always used.

AWARDS: Based on the combined time of both runs, medals will be awarded to the top 10 boys and top 10 girls.

RACE ENTRY FEES: Host clubs are allowed to charge up to a $ 20.00 entry fee.

SUBMITTING TO USSA: SVC clubs hosing events, must have all races 'coded' prior to the event, and results must be submitted to USSA post-event.

IN ORDER TO ALLOW EACH RACER SOME QUIET TIME IN THE STARTING GATE TO MENTALLY PREPARE FOR HIS OR HER RUN, TO DEVELOP HIS/HER OWN PERSONAL PRE-RACE RITUAL, AND TO RECEIVE ANY LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE COACH, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE START AREA BE AS LEAST DISTRACTING TO THE RACER AS POSSIBLE.

FOR THIS REASON, PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE START AREA.

PARENTS, RACERS, AND COACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER TIMING BUILDINGS FOR ANY REASON DURING A RACE. ONLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS AUTHORIZED BY THE HOST MOUNTAIN ARE ALLOWED IN THE TIMING BUILDING.

SOUTHERN VERMONT COUNCIL J4 LEAGUE RACE SERIES
JUNIORS 11 TO 12 YEARS OF AGE

MEMBERSHIPS:

All racers must have current memberships in VARA (Vermont Alpine Racing Association) and the Youth Ski League of the United States Ski Association (USSA). All racers must be affiliated with a council club to be eligible for council standings and State Team selection. Independent racers must pay an Independent Fee of $25 to race in the series.

EQUIPMENT:

Helmets: The SVC complies with all rules and regulations of the United States Ski Association (USSA) and recommends the use of helmets at all times. The USSA requires helmets to be worn by all racers at USSA-sanctioned slalom, giant slalom, downhill, and super giant slalom races, and requires full ear protection (no open ear helmets). SVC recommends the use of a 'face-bar' in slalom events.

RACES:

Races: SVC will run three timed runs each race day (conditions permitting) for slalom and giant slalom events.

Second and Third Run Start Time: Second and third run start time is determined by the host mountain. The second run typically begins one hour after the completion of the second run course set. The third run will follow immediately after the completion of the second run without a re-set (adjustments made as indicated by the Jury).

Seeding for Runs: The race field is divided into cells of equal size, 1 cell for each scheduled race for the season. The cells rotate the first run of each race to allow each cell of racers the opportunity to race in the first seed. Example: If you have 5 races scheduled for the season you would have 5 cells, A, B, C, D, E. In the first race cell A would go first then B, C, D, and E last. For the second race of the season cell B would go first then C, D, E, A, and so forth. Seeding for the second run is reverse order of the first run. Racers not completing the first run will race in their respective place within the start order. The third run start order will be the same as the first run.

Number and Format: 3 giant slalom, 2 slalom, 1 Super G - recommended

Timing of Runs: Racers are individually timed on each run. All runs are electronically timed, with back up timing always used.

AWARDS: Based on the combined time of the first two runs, medals will be awarded to the top 10 boys and top 10 girls. The third run will count towards the SVC series standings but will not count in the race awards.

RACE ENTRY FEES: The host mountain may charge up to $ 25 per racer ($35 for SG) entry fee for each Council-sponsored race. Fees are payable to the host mountain.

SUBMITTING TO USSA: SVC clubs hosting events, must have all races 'coded' prior to the event, and results must be submitted to USSA post-event.

IN ORDER TO ALLOW EACH RACER SOME QUIET TIME IN THE STARTING GATE TO MENTALLY PREPARE FOR HIS OR HER RUN, TO DEVELOP HIS/HER OWN PERSONAL PRE-RACE RITUAL, AND TO RECEIVE ANY LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE COACH, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE START AREA BE AS LEAST DISTRACTING TO THE RACER AS POSSIBLE.

FOR THIS REASON, PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE START AREA.

PARENTS, RACERS, AND COACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER TIMING BUILDINGS FOR ANY REASON DURING A RACE. ONLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS AUTHORIZED BY THE HOST MOUNTAIN ARE ALLOWED IN THE TIMING BUILDING.

SOUTHERN VERMONT COUNCIL J3 LEAGUE RACE SERIES
JUNIORS 13 TO 14 YEARS OF AGE

MEMBERSHIPS:

All racers must have current memberships in VARA (Vermont Alpine Racing Association) and the United States Ski Association (USSA) and a competitor's license. All racers must be affiliated with a council club to be eligible for council standings and State Team selection. Independent racers must pay an SVC Independent Fee of $25 to race in the series.

EQUIPMENT:

Helmets: The SVC complies with all rules and regulations of the United States Ski Association (USSA) and recommends the use of helmets at all times. The USSA requires helmets to be worn by all racers at USSA-sanctioned slalom, giant slalom, downhill, and super giant slalom races, and requires full ear protection (no open ear helmets). SVC recommends the use of a 'face-bar' in slalom events.

RACES:

Second Run Start Time: Second run start time is determined by the host mountain. The second run typically begins one hour after the completion of the second run course set.

Seeding for Runs: The race field is divided into cells of equal size, 1 cell for each scheduled race for the season. The cells rotate the first run of each race to allow each cell of racers the opportunity to race in the first seed. Example: If you have 5 races scheduled for the season you would have 5 cells, A, B, C, D, E. In the first race cell A would go first then B, C, D, and E last. For the second race of the season cell B would go first then C, D, E, A, and so forth. Seeding for the second run is based on first run finish times. The top 15/30 finishers are raced in reverse order, followed by all remaining racers in order of finish time. Racers not completing the first run race at the end.

Number and Format: 3 giant slalom, 2 slalom, 1 super giant slalom - recommended

Timing of Runs: Racers are individually timed on each run. All runs are electronically timed, with back up timing always used.

AWARDS: Based on the combined time of both runs, medals will be awarded to the top 10 boys and top 10 girls.

RACE ENTRY FEES: The host mountain may charge up to $ 25 per racer ($35 for SG) entry fee for each Council-sponsored race. Fees are payable to the host mountain.

SUBMITTING TO USSA: SVC clubs hosing events, must have all races 'coded' prior to the event, and results must be submitted to USSA post-event.

IN ORDER TO ALLOW EACH RACER SOME QUIET TIME IN THE STARTING GATE TO MENTALLY PREPARE FOR HIS OR HER RUN, TO DEVELOP HIS/HER OWN PERSONAL PRE-RACE RITUAL, AND TO RECEIVE ANY LAST MINUTE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE COACH, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE START AREA BE AS LEAST DISTRACTING TO THE RACER AS POSSIBLE.

FOR THIS REASON, PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE START AREA.
PARENTS, RACERS, AND COACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER TIMING BUILDINGS FOR ANY REASON DURING A RACE. ONLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS AUTHORIZED BY THE HOST MOUNTAIN ARE ALLOWED IN THE TIMING BUILDING.

SOUTHERN VERMONT COUNCIL JUNIOR 4 STATE TEAM

COUNCIL TEAM TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP:

All Junior racers eligible to race in the Southern Vermont Council League J4 Race Series are eligible to compete for a position on the Southern Vermont Council Team to represent the Council at the Vermont State Championship.

SCORING:

Each run will count for one place point. The combined place point does not count in J4 Council Series racing.

QUALIFYING FOR THE COUNCIL TEAM:

The scoring will be based on 50% of the racers lowest place points. If the season total is an odd number of runs, the amount of runs taken into consideration will be rounded down. Ties will be broken using the internal tie break method. If a tie still exists the external runs will be used.

The number of female racers versus male racers chosen for the SVC Team will be based on the percentage of females versus males with enough qualifying starts in the regular SVC races for that age group for that year.

The sum of the racer's best 50% finishes will determine that racer's place point total.

FUTURE STARS AUTOMATIC SELECTIONS:

SVC has 5 available spots for Future Stars. The percentage of male versus female spots will be based on the # of male versus female racers after SVC race #2. In the event of an equal number of Male and Female racers, the fifth spot will be awarded to the next racer (male or female) with the lowest scored place points for the season.

NUMBER NAMED:

The number of boys and number of girls named to the Team will be determined by the Council on an annual basis. See VARA Council quota rules.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING NAMED TO THE COUNCIL TEAM:

Racers must be members of VARA, USSA and an SVC-affiliated club at the time of a competition for that competition's results to be used for the SVC Team calculations.

SOUTHERN VERMONT COUNCIL
JUNIOR 3 STATE TEAM

COUNCIL TEAM TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP:

The SVC scoring will be based on 50%-2 of the racers lowest place points. If the season total is an odd number of runs, the amount of runs taken into consideration will be rounded down. Ties will be broken using the internal tiebreak method. If a tie still exists the external runs will be used.

Selection to the STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS is as follows:

• The number of female racers versus male racers chosen for the SVC Team will based on the percentage of females versus males with enough qualifying starts in the regular SVC races for that age group for that year.
• the sum of the racer's best place points (50%-2) will be used
• in case of ties, the best finish internal tiebreakers will be used, then external
• The Top X (X= # of male/female athletes in SVC STATE CHAMPIONSHIP quota) after the SVC Automatics, will be invited to the VARA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

COUNCIL TEAM TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

All SVC eligible Junior 3 racers (13 and 14 year olds) are eligible to compete for a position on the Southern Vermont Council Team to represent the Council at the VARA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

JUNIOR OLYMPIC AUTOMATIC SELECTIONS:

Of the five available SVC Junior Olympic Automatic spots, the number of female racers versus male racers after SVC Race #2, will based on the percentage of females versus males. In the event of an equal number of Male and Female racers, the fifth spot will be awarded to the next racer (male or female) with the lowest scored place points for the season.

Special J 3's: See "Racing Out of Age Class" below.

SCORING:

Each race (except the Super G, which counts as 1 place point/race) has three possible place points for SVC J3’s. 1st run, 2nd run and the combined place point.

QUALIFYING FOR THE COUNCIL TEAM:

The scoring will be based on 50% - 2 of the racers lowest place points. If the season total is an odd number of runs, the amount of runs taken into consideration will be rounded down. Ties will be broken using the internal tiebreak method. If a tie still exists the external runs will be used.

Selection to the Council Team is as follows:

• The number of female racers versus male racers chosen for the SVC Team will based on the percentage of females versus males with enough qualifying starts in the regular SVC races for that age group for that year.
• the sum of the racer’s best place points (50% - 2 ) will be used
• in case of ties, the best finish internal tiebreakers will be used
• * Any racer who qualifies for the ERS will be an automatic to the SVC State Team. The SVC State Team seeding for this athlete will be based on SVC place points. If the athlete does not have enough place points, they will be seeded last.

*CONFLICTING EVENTS:

If an Eastern Regional event (ERS, Eastern Speed Camp, Etc) conflicts with a scheduled SVC event, and SVC athletes are invited to attend the conflicting event, then the following shall take place:

2/3rd's Rule:
A modified scoring system will be put into place for the SVC event. The '2/3rds rule' will be used.
EXAMPLE: If there are 9 male athletes attending the ERS at Okemo, then the best score an athlete can obtain at the SVC event would be 2/3rd's of 9 (6 points). If the number is not a whole number, then that number is rounded up.
1st place: 6 points, 2nd place: 7 points, 3rd place: 8 points, etc.
The '2/3rd's rule' would allow for an athlete to attend a regional event and not lose possible points in the SVC standings and also give the athletes that are racing the SVC event a chance to still score high points.

NUMBER NAMED:

The number of boys and number of girls named to the Team will be determined by the Council on an annual basis. See VARA Council quota rules

REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING NAMED TO THE COUNCIL TEAM:

Racers must be members of VARA, USSA and an SVC-affiliated club at the time of a competition for that competitions results to be used for the SVC Team calculations.

GENERAL COUNCIL RULES

• Coaches are to encourage all racers to read the mountain rules sheet and to follow all area rules.
• Coaches are to actively encourage all racers to attend the awards presentations at each Council-sponsored race.
• Emphasis should be placed on free skiing time after the race. The method used to permit free skiing and access to the lifts after a race is to be determined by each host mountain.
• The Council recommends that all coaches working in programs be a certified referee and hold a current Basic First Aid and CPR card.

MEMBERSHIPS:

• All programs/clubs must be "current" members of VARA and the USSA and have current year memberships.
• All programs/clubs must have paid SVC dues by scheduled date.
• All coaches attending SVC events must be current members of VARA and USSA.
• All programs/clubs must supply the Council Chair a list of active coaches prior to January 1st. This list will be used as the 'Coaches Ticket' list for all SVC events. Names not on this list will not receive a complementary race day ticket.
• Each mountain is responsible for assuring that all of its racers are members of VARA and USSA or Youth Ski League and that all of its coaches are members of VARA and USSA.
• Program rosters with the names, sex, and age class of each racer must be submitted to the Council Chair no later than December 25th.
• The names, addresses, and work and home telephone numbers of all Program Directors, Head Coaches, Head Age Class Coaches, and, at the discretion of the Program Director, other program coaches, must be sent to the Council Chair as early as possible at the start of the season (but no later than December 30th) so that a Southern Vermont Council Directory can be prepared and distributed to all Program Directors.
• The Program Director must also send to the Council Chair the name, address, and telephone number of the Age Class Chair if he or she is a coach in that Program.

RACE REQUIREMENTS:

Seeding:

• Modified Brown Bibbo is to be used at all races for all age groups.
• Brown Method is to be used for the first run at all races.
• The race field is to be divided into cells of equal size based on the total number of races scheduled for each age group. The cells are to be rotated the first run of each race to allow each racer the opportunity to race in the first seed. After each race, the first cell is to be moved to the end of the start order and the second cell moved up the first seed (e.g., first race: A-B-C-D-E, second race: B-C-D-E-A, third race: C-D-E-A-B, etc.)
• Bibbo is to be used for the second run at all J3 races. J4s will reverse the order for the second run.
• Based on first run finish times, the top 15 finishers are raced in reverse order, followed by all remaining racers in order of finish time.
• Racers not completing the first run race at the end.

Start Cadence:

The start cadence used for giant slalom and slalom must be consistent with those of USSA & FIS.

Course Length:

The length of the course for Clayton J5 League, "Council" and J3 races must be consistent with USSA age guidelines in effect at the time.

Flex Gates:

• giant slalom - panels with two flex gates
• slalom - inside flex gate; no bamboo on the inside
• the length of the flex gates must be consistent with USSA requirements and recommendations

Sanctioned Races:

J5, J4 & J3 races must be sanctioned by USSA.

Jury:

• A jury is required (TD, Referee and Chief of Race) at all SVC events, and there should be at least one USSA Level 3 official on the jury and or race committee.
• We will abide by current USSA rules.

Coaches’ Meeting:

A coaches' meeting must be held prior to the start of the first run of each race. One coach from each program is to attend the meeting as well as a representative for any independent racers. Attendance must be taken by Chief of Race and submitted to the TD.

RACE RESULTS:

A copy of the Split Second Race file must be sent to the Council Chair and the point keepers within a day of the race, which include race results (first run, second run, and combined times for both boys and girls), and must be sent to the Council Chair within two days of hosting a race so that a consolidated record of all Council races and results can be maintained.

Maintenance of an up-to-date race results file is extremely important for the naming of Council Teams to the State Championships, for selection of racers for participation at USSA camps, etc.

ADDING RACES DURING THE SEASON:

The addition of a race to the Council schedule requires the Program Director of the mountain seeking to add a race to notify the Council Chair and to poll all of the Program Directors as to whether the race should be added. Majority vote rules.

The Program Director of the mountain seeking to add a race must inform the Council Chair of the outcome of any vote taken.

RACING OUT OF AGE CLASS:

The Program Director interested in having one of their athletes race out of age class is to contact the Council Chair and provide a written rationale or justification for the request following the 'special requests procedures.

The special request can also come from the Program's Head Coach, but only after consultation with and approval by the Program Director.

Letters submitted directly via email to the Council Chair from the racer's parent(s) or coach will be discussed with the respective Program Director prior to initiating any conversations with and survey of Program Directors.

The Council Chair will review the request with each Program Director and obtain their input. The input of the Age Class Chairs impacted by the proposed action will also be surveyed.

Each Program Director has one vote.

The majority rules.

The Council Chair will vote in the event of a tie.

The outcome of the vote will be reported back to all Program Directors.

Racers Advanced to a Higher Age Level:

Out of age class racers advanced up to the next age class to race (J4 racing as a J3) will be eligible to receive awards and have their names and times included on the race results.

J5 racers racing with J4s in the Southern Vermont Council League Race Series are eligible for selection to the J4 Council Team for the State Championship.

A J4 racer racing, as a J3 who qualifies for the Council Team to the J3 State Championship must have his/her case presented to the VARA Council of Five. The Council Chair will bring the matter to the Council of Five. The Council of Five will decide if the racer can participate in the State Championship. The Council Chair will report the decision of the Council of Five to the respective Program Director.

OUT OF COUNCIL RACERS:

The intent of allowing out of Council racers to participate in Council-sponsored races is to further the sport of ski racing. Customarily, out of Council racers are also racers from out of state.

The inclusion of an out of Council racer in a Council-sponsored race occurs on an infrequent basis. In some cases, an out of Council program may want to send a limited number of its racers to a Council-sponsored race to test the waters or to have its racers gain additional race experience. In other cases, a racer may be visiting a program to determine if he or she wants to join that program. If the visit coincides with a time that a race has been scheduled, the visiting racer may want the opportunity to participate in a race with his/her future team mates.

The following rules apply to those limited number of cases involving an out of Council racer.

• Out of Council racers can enter any Council-sponsored race.
• Out of Council racers must meet the same USSA and YSL membership requirements as SVC and Clayton J5 League racers, and where appropriate, have a valid competitor's license.
• VARA membership or their own State governing body membership is required for all out of Council Vermont-based racers.
• The membership status of non-Council racers must be determined when arrangements are being made for the inclusion of the racer(s) in a Council-sponsored race.
• Out of Council racers are to be seeded at the end of the first cell for the first run. Second run start order will be based on first run finish time.
• The out of Council racer's time(s), finish place, and home program/mountain are to appear on all published race results.
• Out of Council racers, regardless of run times and finish places, are eligible to receive awards.
• All out of Council racers must be excluded from all calculations of place points for selection of the Council Teams. Place points for each run must be calculated as if the out of Council racer(s) did not participate in the race.
• The host mountain including any out of Council racers in a race should inform all other Program Directors and the Council Chair prior to the date of the race.