Race Quality Report - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Race Quality Report

Summary 2015 SeasonSlide2

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

.Slide3
Slide4

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

(614.2.2) Interdiction to

continue after a gate fault: If a competitor misses a gate, he must no longer continue through further gates.

(614.2.3) 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

(614.2.4) 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 infractionSlide5

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

(901.2.2)…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 gateSlide6

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 observedSlide7

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 membersSlide8

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 614.3.2

)

Awards:

  An SQA

initiative

is to have the awards ceremony, 30min after the last racer.  E

valuate

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”Slide9

Key Findings: Other

Start

referee:

  (ICR 601.3.3) 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.   R

emind

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.Slide10

Case Studies

Level II Officials Course November 14Slide11

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

?Slide12

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?Slide13

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?Slide14

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?Slide15

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?Slide16

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?Slide17

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?Slide18

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?Slide19

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?Slide20

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?