FAST Race Program Handbook 2011-2012

FAST Race Program
Handbook
2011-2012
This packet contains the following:
* Important contacts
* General Information – and Helpful Hints
* Schedule of Races & Events
KNOW THE CODE
It’s your responsibility
National Ski Areas Association and Revised Code of Washington Statutes:
1 - Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
2 - People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
3 - You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
4 - Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
5 - Always use devices to prevent runaway equipment.
6 - Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed
areas.
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Table of Contents
Contacts............................................ 3
Handbook Purpose ........................... 3
To New and Old Athletes ................. 3
Communications .............................. 3
Typical Training Schedule................ 4
Helpful Hints .................................... 4
Racing .............................................. 4
Holiday Camp .................................. 5
Programs ....................................... 5/6
Typical Race Day Schedule.............. 7
FAST Fundraisers............................. 8
Miscellaneous................................... 9
Policies & Procedures .................... 10
Academic Policy ............................ 10
Athlete Code of Conduct ................ 11
Parent Code of Conduct ................. 12
Summer/Fall Training Camp……... 12
Travel Policy .................................. 12
Concussion Policy .......................... 13
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Contacts
Foundation President:
John Eminger
[email protected]
FAST Program Director/Head Coach :
Ed Broberg
YSL Lead Coach:
Jim Holcomb
Team FAST Contact:
[email protected]
[email protected]
509-935-6649 X633
[email protected]
Ed Broberg
Jimmy Holcomb
Logun Rasmussen
Lisa Denker
Daniel Voltz
Greg Rolstad
Bill Holcomb
Deb Rademacher
Aaron Holcomb
Iris Hart
Coaches:
Handbook Purpose
This handbook will familiarize new athletes and their parents with the 49° North Alpine Ski Team (F.A.S.T) All FAST members and families must read this handbook and
follow the protocols and procedures that are contained within. Athletes must know the
athlete code of conduct prior to participation. Parents must know and follow the parent
code of conduct. All state holders must be familiar with the policies and procedures
that this handbook lines out and must follow those policies and procedures.
To New and Returning Athletes
FAST offers its members the opportunity to become expert life-long skiers, and offer elite level training opportunities. Through racing and other competitions, athletes can develop their individual skills
and excel to any level desired based on the level of dedication of the athlete.
As a member of FAST, you will enjoy:
* Family involvement in a fun environment
*Building cooperative skills that come from being part of a team
*The opportunity to improve your skiing skills to an elite level
*Satisfaction and increased self esteem from setting and achieving goals
*Building friendships fostered though the spirit of competition, and sportsmanship.
Communications
Communication will happen in three ways:
1) Email. Email is the primary means of communication between the Head Coach and team members. It is important for you to check your email often. [email protected]
2) Web. General program information about the race program, scheduled events and race results can
be found at www.ski49n.com look under the lessons & rentals tab for the race program.
3) Phone, if you have further questions call us at (509) 935-6649 ext 633 or Ed’s Cell Phone (509)
675-1488
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Typical Training Schedule
Training schedule
On weekends our usual training schedule will be as follows. This will change for days when we have
speed training, or a special event.
8 :00 am arrive at the mountain
8:50 meet in your full gear ready to go in front of the FAST shack
9:00 sharp! Load the lifts for morning training session
11:30 Lunch break
12:15 Start afternoon training session
2:30 meet back at FAST Shack for end of day meeting before dismissal.
We will try to get information on the days training out in advance. Changing conditions can force us to
change our training plans with little or no notice. So every day bring GS skis, SL skis, and a pair of skis
to free ski.
Helpful Hints
 Be prepared for any weather, practice is rarely cancelled.
 All athletes must wear a helmet while skiing as part of the club.
 Pack a face guard/extra gloves/socks/neck warmer/head sock for cold days.
 You will want to pick up a rain shell or poncho for rainy days.
 Hand warmers are imperative, especially for younger racers, always have some handy.
 We encourage you not to miss practice, time on the snow is critical to a racer’s success.
 If you aren’t sure about what equipment is needed, or whether your racer has the appropriate
equipment, ask your group coach or head coach; they are more than happy to answer your questions.
Racing
Following is a list of organizations that support and promote ski racing. The rules and guidelines for
ski racing begin at the international level, with each subsequent organization adopting additional rules
to meet their athletic development philosophy and specific regional/local needs.
Racing Organizations:
Local:
EEYSL-Emerald Empire Youth Ski League, which includes:
Schweitzer, Lookout Pass, Mt. Spokane, 49o North, and Silver
Mountain
Regional/National: PNSA-Pacific Northwest Ski Association &
USSA-United States Ski & Snowboard Association (ages 13 and up)
International: FIS-Fédération Internationale de Ski (ages 15 and up)
Youth Ski League (YSL)
Racing
YSL racing involves local
races hosted by members of
the EEYSL. Each member
has a team and takes a turn
hosting a race. J4 & select
J5’s are selected for the
Buddy Werner Regional
Team Championships in the
spring.
USSA License Requirements
USSA Junior Racing (13 to 18)
 Competitor for J-3 (13 yrs
prior to Dec. 31st) and up
competing as a junior.
 Non-Scored Student for J-3
(13 yrs prior to Dec. 31st)
and up competing only in
EEYSL.
 Youth Competitor for 12 yrs
and younger as of Dec. 31st.
Athletes over the age of 13 must have
a USSA license to compete. This is a
regional and national circuit that acts
the training ground for the US Ski
Team. J3’s will start to build a point
profile and will be ranked worldwide
based on event results. The older athletes will also compete in FIS races
which is an international system.
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Programs
FAST offers programs for alpine skiers. Anyone can join; there is no tryout to be a member of the team. A new athlete joining the team is assigned to a program based on their age,
ability and level of racing desired. All FAST programs aim to teach the mastery and lifelong love of skiing, as well as provide appropriate training to Junior Olympic bound racers.
Athletes should be able to ski, at least, intermediate runs to be part of the team.
Holiday Race Camp
Holiday Camp is a great way for young athletes to spend part of their winter
break on the mountain. All age groups will be working on the fundamentals of
skiing. The more advanced athletes that are racing early will be running training
courses and working on timing and tactics. The regular training day schedule will be followed (prev. page). It is a great time for new athletes to try FAST. All athletes are assigned
to a coach depending on age and ability. At the end of Holiday Camp, new athletes can decide if they want to continue with FAST for the remainder of the season. Holiday Camp fees
can then be applied to full season tuition. There is a fun race on the last day of camp.
Alpine Racing
All athletes will work on developing strong skiing fundamentals
along with gate training in Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS) and
some speed training. (SG, DH)
The season begins the first weekend of December and includes Holiday Camp.
Training is on Friday, Saturdays and/or Sundays through March based selected
product
 There is training Friday nights from late December to early February (J4 & up only)
Who have purchased at least the two day program.
 Friday daytime training is available for higher level athletes at an additional charge.
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Junior Racing Program ages 13 and up (Holiday Race Camp included with all packages)
Training and racing regionally in PNSA, and Nationally with USSA and FIS Circuits.
Costs for coach’s lodging, food, and transportation during the regular FAST year are to be
shared by participating athletes. Additionally, coach’s wages are shared for races after
March. Or for some specialized races that are not on the team calendar.
Athletes are divided up into age categories as follows:
J3 13-14 years old J2 15-16 years old J1 17-18 years old
Two Day : $949 Athletes train on Saturday and Sunday
Three Day Elite Racing Team. $1049 In addition to the two day program this group will
receive specialized coaching in daytime conditions, on Friday afternoon.
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Youth Ski League (YSL) ages 5-18 (Holiday Race Camp is included in all packages)
These athletes training and racing locally in the EEYSL. (Also
known as the Inland Empire Series) Athletes are divided up into age
categories as follows:
J6 5-8 years
J5 9-10 years old
J4 11-12 years old
*Grouping are based on ability as well as age*
Single Day: $749 Athletes train on Saturday or Sunday.
Two Day : $899 Athletes train on Saturday and Sunday.
Select J4’s may be invited to participate in Junior Elite Program.
Some select J4’s will be considered for the three day elite
program based on ability.
Buddy Werner Policy
Buddy Werner Team Selections
Seven boys and seven girls will make up the FAST Buddy Werner Team. J4 athletes will be
selected first for the team. If there are positions still available after J4 selections, J5 athletes
will be considered for unfilled positions. All selections will be made based on racer performance, training performance, and participation. Selections and seeding are made at the
Coach’s discretion with advisement from group coaches.
Masters Training Center
Jan.7 to March 25, 2012 Every Saturday and Sunday 8:50am to 2:30pm
For ages 18 to 80 who are interested in refining skiing skills and preparing for
the PNSA Masters Racing Circuit. Masters athletes range from intermediate
level skiers with little or no race experience to racers with elite level backgrounds that still enjoy the challenges of gate training and racing. Our athletes
receive access to the best coaching on the mountain and use of necessary equipment such as; gates, radios for safety, tools, panels, timing and video equipment.
Cost: $299
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Typical Race Day Schedule
Night Before
7:00 AM
7:30 AM
8:15 AM
8:30 AM
8:45 AM
9:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 PM
12:30 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
Ski are tuned , waxed, and scraped. Gear and clothing are packed and laid out.
You will want to get to the mountain at least an 1/2-hour early.
Pick up race packets and bib
Athletes meet their coaches outside the lodge.
Racers load the chair
Course inspection
Race (1st run)
Lunch (varies by age group & sex)
Course inspection
Race (2nd run – reverse order, within age class)
Race ends
Awards
IMPORTANT: These are approximate times to give you an idea of how the race day flows.
Each race is slightly different, please be prepared to be flexible for any changes. Every event is
different, don’t assume the schedule you are given will be when things actually happen.
Races take many volunteers to run smoothly, so please consider helping out any race you attend.
Hosting clubs need volunteers of all types. Don’t be afraid that you won’t know what to do as
most mountains have a short instructional class to prepare you for your selected duty.
How Races starts are organized.
Race Order For YSL Races:
Youngest to Oldest
Female then Male within age class
I.E., J6 women, then J6 men, then J5 women, etc.
- or Female Youngest to Oldest
Male Youngest to Oldest
I.E., J6 women, J5 women, J4 women, then J6 men, J5 men, etc.
Junior Races run by points ranking starting with the lowest point profile and ending with
the new athletes with 990 points. The top 15 athletes will be shuffled as will the unranked athletes. In this point system everyone starts with 990 points athletes will see
their points reduced as they improve in the rankings. The second run is will have a top
seed that will run in reverse order of finish for the top 15 or 30 athletes depending on
event. The rest of the field will run in the order of finish for the first run. FIS and USSA
races both use this model.
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Fundraising
* * Please help support our racers! * *
Help Team FAST
Parents and support families are
expected to volunteer for fundraisers and races.
Snow Dance Auction Sheimo Cup
FAST Blast Masters Race
Tele-Daze Race
Snow Dance Auction Nov. 5th, 2011
November 5th Please help us by donating products from your business, vacation packages, or any other items that we could profit from through a silent
auction. We need the families help to raise capital to have a successful season.
Sponsorship Levels
This year the 49° Winter Sports Foundation is has produced
a brochure listing the different levels of Sponsorship. Contact the Ed Broberg with any sponsorship leads you might
have or if you want a copy of the brochure to hand out
yourself.
FAST Golf Tournament / Hole In One Contest
This spring FAST will be offering a golf tournament and a hole in one contest as a
fundraiser. Stay tuned for more details later in 2012.
The 49° Winter Sports Foundation is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization. The
Foundation supports FAST via athlete scholarships, continuing coaches education,
equipment donations and other measures to keep ski racing affordable and available to all athletes. We rely on fundraising dollars and volunteers to keep the
Foundation strong. Do your part in helping to keep tuition costs down, while still
providing our athletes with a top quality program.
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J3 and older athletes
must have a USSA license to compete in
qualifiers.
YSL athletes must
have a USSA
Youth Competitor
license or a NonScored Student
license for all YSL
Programs
J2 and older must have a
FIS license to compete in
any FIS level event.
Available online
at www.ussa.org.
Miscellaneous
Team Jackets are available to athletes and are included in the program fees. The jackets are
for use only during the racing season and must be returned at the end of each season. The
supply of jackets is limited. New members will be assigned available jackets based on signup dates.
Proper clothing is very important for all athletes regardless of age. Dress in layers and always be prepared for inclement weather. It is recommended that all athletes own a backpack
so they can bring foul weather gear to every training and racing session.
Proper equipment is very important to the success of the athlete. Required items: Helmets,
mouth guards, indemnifiable bindings, modern deep-side cut skis.
Show up on time to all training sessions. In order to participate and get the most of your
training time, meet your group at the designated location and be on time. The groups will
not wait for late individuals.
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Policies & Procedures
Fees & Refunds
 Fees are due before the first day of the athletes training.

A pro-rated credit toward next year’s program fees shall be given when serious illness or serious injury causes a racer to withdraw from the FAST program prior to the
2nd week of January. After that date the Board of Directors will review any refund
requests.

If an athlete wants to quit after the first day of Holiday Race Camp a prorated credit
will be given but after the second day of Holiday Race Camp no credit will be possible.

We offer early season discounts on tuition. Please refer to the application for this
information.

Those who wish to join FAST after Holiday Camp may join for a prorated price.
Academic Policy
The Coaching Staff of FAST expects all competitive athletes to maintain an acceptable level
of academics during the course of the season. We encourage our athletes and parents not to
sacrifice scholastic achievement for the sport of racing. Please carefully read the Academic
Policy.
 All competitive athletes must have a “C” or better in every class in order to miss
scheduled school time to attend FAST events. This includes early dismissal for training, participation in local competitions and travel to our-of-town competitions.
 All athletes will abide by all study halls and/or quiet times designated by the coaches
at out-of-town competitions.
 Athletes will fulfill requirements outlined by their teachers for work missed due to
races or training.
 All FAST athletes will respect their teammates right to study in a quiet atmosphere.
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FAST Athlete Code of Conduct
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Athletes, coaches and officials shall maintain high standards of moral and ethical
conduct which include self control, responsible behavior, consideration for others’
physical and emotional well being, courtesy and good manners.
Athletes, coaches and officials shall abstain from use of illegal drugs.
Athletes shall not consume or possess alcoholic beverages or tobacco products of any
kind.
Coaches shall not consume or possess alcoholic beverages or tobacco products of any
kind while coaching athletes, transporting athletes, or representing the club in the
presence of athletes.
Athletes, coaches and officials shall avoid profane and abusive language.
Disruptive behavior in public or while being coached is prohibited.
Athletes are expected to maintain their level of scholastic achievement. Racing and
training is not an excuse for a decline in schoolwork.
Courtesy to others extends to the public who enjoys the ski area. Read and follow
the “Responsibility Code” printed on every trail map of the ski area: Be courteous of
lift attendants and other employees of the ski area. Stow your gear in a place so it is
out of the way. You represent FAST and your behavior reflects not only on you as
an individual but on the team as a whole.
Respect your coach and race officials, and ski area rules.
When traveling to an event with the team, you must observe the curfew established
by the coaches and reside in the room assigned to you. You shall share with your
roommate the responsibility for damages or rule violations that occur in the room
when it is not possible to determine individual responsibility. You must remain with
the team or in the vicinity of the team’s housing, except with the prior knowledge and
permission of the team’s Traveling Coach.
Violations of the code, as written here, will result in some or all of the following:
Loss of training privileges for the day or entire weekend
Suspension from the program for a specified period of time
For serious violation(s), ejection from the program with no refund of fees
Athlete may be sent home from away races or training with prior parental notification
For less serious offenses, the Group Coach will impose discipline. The Head Coach
shall impose penalties for more serious offenses. In case an athlete does not agree
with the punishment imposed, he or she can request the Program Director to review
the sanction. The Program Director will form an Appeals Committee of not less than
three individuals to hear oral and/or written statements by all witnesses. The Appeals Committee’s decision will be final. Any further appeals will follow guidelines
as put forth by PNSA.
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Parent Code of Conduct
The success of FAST athletes and the programs depends on positive involvement and
support from the parents. Constructive feedback on program and/or staff is welcome and
will help FAST further improve its programs. Please take the time to understand the following items:
 While in attendance at YSL races and events, parents are expected to abide by the
USSA and FAST Athlete Code of Conduct.
 Parents shall not be permitted on the race course unless designated as a coach or specifically requested by a coach or race official to slip or otherwise maintain the course
or act as an official or gatekeeper.
 During scheduled coaching session, no parent shall act as a coach without the expressed invitation of the FAST Program Director/Head Coach.
 Parents shall relate concerns to the FAST Program Director/Head Coach regarding
any of the following: the FAST program, staff, their own athlete or other FAST athletes.
 To resolve issues within the FAST program parents are requested to adhere to the
following lines of communication: Group Coach, Head Coach, Program Director.
 To address an issue, parents are asked to make an appointment with the appropriate
coach or the Program Director.
 When assisting FAST at away races, parents are agents of the traveling staff and
agree to coordinate and get approval for all plans from the Traveling Coaches.
Travel Policy
All competitive athletes of FAST agree to the following:
 Be on time for all departures
 Assist in loading and unloading of any team vehicle.
 Have your equipment race ready prior to departure
 Be sure all race entry fees are paid in advance.
 Respect all team vehicles and vehicles loaned to FAST. Assist in cleaning them after use.
 Travel with FAST coaches during out of town events, unless otherwise pre-arranged and approved.
 Athletes must commit to participation at an event at least 3 days prior to travel or within the timeframe deemed appropriate by the coaches.
 Coaches are in charge at all away races. Athletes are expected to obey the Travel Coach or lose
all traveling privileges with FAST.
 Only authorized staff members can provide transportation due to insurance
concerns
Summer/Fall Training Camps
FAST can offer training at various venues each summer and fall. The dates and focus of
these camps varies depending on the snow conditions and available training space. Details will be available each March.
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Revised 10/01/2011
Concussion Policy Information
A concussion is a brain injury and all brain injuries are serious. They
are caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a blow to another
part of the body with the force transmitted to the head. They can range
from mild to severe and can disrupt the way the brain normally works.
Even though most concussions are mild, all concussions are potentially serious and may result in complications including prolonged
brain damage and death if not recognized and managed properly.
In other words, even a “ding” or a bump on the head can be serious.
You can’t see a concussion and most sports concussions occur without
loss of consciousness. Signs and symptoms of concussion may show
up right after the injury or can take hours or days to fully appear. If
your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the
symptoms or signs of concussion yourself, seek medical attention right
away.
If your child has suffered a concussion it is important to seek immediate
medical attention. As a club we will not let an athlete who we suspect may
have suffered a concussion return to ski with the club without being released by a medical professional. We will not make any exceptions to this
rule. Also mouth guards have been found to greatly reduce the risk of concussion in the sport of ski racing. We strongly encourage the use of mouth
guards and require them to run SL.
Please visit the USSA site to learn more. http://www.ussa.org/
magnoliaPublic/ussa/en/formembers/clubs/resourcecenter/concussion.html
Headaches
“Pressure in head”
Nausea or vomiting
Neck pain
Balance problems or dizziness
Blurred, double, or fuzzy vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
Feeling sluggish or slowed down
Feeling foggy or groggy
Drowsiness
Change in sleep patterns
Amnesia
“Don’t feel right”
Fatigue or low energy
Sadness
Nervousness or anxiety
Irritability
More emotional
Confusion
Concentration or memory problems
(forgetting game plays)
Repeating the same question/comment
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