Bogastow Ski Team

RACE DAY

At each race there is a “host team”. The home team is most often, but not always the host team. The host team is responsible for setting the race courses, providing bibs, timers, and any other required equipment. In addition, the host team provides the volunteers necessary for running the race. Descriptions of the volunteer positions are listed below. You will be assigned to volunteer for at least one race.

On race day, registration usually starts at 8:00 AM for all racers. Each ski area has an area (usually in the lodge) designated for registration. Each racer is given a bib with a number that corresponds to their start order for the first run. In addition to registering for the race, skiers must purchase a lift ticket. Racing bibs will be collected at the end of the second run; be sure your child turns in their bib.

All racers will ski two runs. The race begins with the J5 girls, followed by the J5 boys, J4 girls, J4 boys, J3 girls, J3 boys, J2 girls, and J2 boys. On the first run, all racers ski in bib order. On the second run, racers ski in reverse bib order within their age/gender class. For example, the J5 girls all still ski first on the second run, but the J5 girl who with the highest bib number skis first and the J5 girl with the lowest bib number skis last.

On the race course for J5 and older racers, parents are not allowed to assist a fallen racer unless he/she is hurt. If a racer is hurt, offer comfort, but do not move the racer. Help is on the way. If the racer is not hurt and has not lost a ski in the fall, he/she may return to the course and finish their run. They must still pass through all gates in order to receive a time for the run.

RACING FORMAT

U8’s

U8’s will ski a separate course from the older racers. Their course is shorter and simpler, consisting of not more than ten gates. A practice run through the race course is given to each U8 racer. The race then consists of two runs. On the first run, the girls go first in bib order, followed by the boys. On the second run, the girls again go first, but in reverse bib order (the girl with the highest bib number goes first and the girl with the lowest bib number goes last). The boys then follow, also in reverse bib order.

After their first run, the racers should go back to the top of the race course and check with the adults helping to run the race. They may be able to take one or more free runs, or may be asked to wait to take their second run.

Parents and others on the side of the U8 race course may assist a fallen U8 racer. Coaches and parent volunteers will assist these racers at the start and finish areas.

U10-U18 racers

The format for the older racers is slightly different. This format applies to U10-U18 racers. The race course will be set as a giant slalom (wider turns) or as a slalom course (tighter turns). The type of course will alternate through the season and may change according to the conditions. The first race will normally be a giant slalom (GS). Racers view the course in groups with their coaches prior to the race, usually around 8:30 to 8:45 AM. No practice runs are allowed through the main course. Skiing through the main course can result in disqualification under EMBWL rules.

Race Seed Lists

The seed list (start order) for racers within each group is alphabetical for the first race of the season. The seed list for subsequent races is determined by points earned in earlier races. Note that only the top 10 finishers in each group receive points. Racers who finish out of the top 10 will be seeded alphabetically within the alternating team order.

Scoring

Every racer on the team has the opportunity to score points for the team regardless of their skiing ability. Boys and girls are ranked separately. The times of both runs are added together for each racer’s total time. The first 10 finishers in each age/gender class receive team points and award ribbons, with 10 points given for first place, 9 for second, and so on, with 1 point given for tenth place. The U8 racers who do not place in the top 10 receive participation ribbons. The U8 ribbons are usually given out after their race is completed and scored. The ribbons for the older racers are usually given out after all of the races are completed and scored. Racers are encouraged to stay for the awards to cheer on their teammates (and the racers from other teams) whether they placed individually or not.

ON RACE DAY

For the Racer

• Show up early, preferably by 7:45 AM.
• You and/or your parent(s) should go to the registration area, check in and get your bib.
• Purchase a lift ticket. Some areas offer discounted lift tickets for racers. Be sure to ask.
• Dress for the race. Take a couple of easy free runs to warm up. U 10 and older racers: DO NOT ski through the race course before your first run. You will be disqualified!
• U8 racers should not ski through the race course until an adult tells you it is time for taking practice runs.
• Be on time for course inspection (or the practice run for U8’s).
• Course inspection and practice runs usually begin at 8:30 AM.
• Keep checking in at the top of your race course, so you are on time for your first and second runs.
• Check on your times and cheer on your teammates.
• Attend the awards ceremony that usually takes place about one half hour after the last racer finishes.

For the Parents

• Ensure your skier arrives for races on time (preferably by 7:45 AM).
• Make certain your skier has the necessary equipment and clothing.
• Help your skier register for the race and get them onto the hill on time. The coaches will take over from there.
• If you are a volunteer this day, find out where you need to be and when.
• If you are not a volunteer this day, dress warmly and join the crowd at the finish line. Help cheer on your child and all racers.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

The following list of volunteer positions and descriptions. We understand that some parents may not feel comfortable or qualified to fill race day positions such as starter, gate keeper, or finish line judge. Please don’t feel that way! These positions are not as hard as they may sound and will be clearly explained to you.

Registration and Ticket Sales

• (4 people required for each home race)
• Report at 7:45 A.M. to Blue Hill Ski Lodge
• Responsibilities include checking racers off on Official Seed List and giving them their assigned bib. Registration ends at approximately 9:00 AM.

U10 - U18 Race Positions

Starter

• (1 person required)
• Reports at 8:45 AM to gatekeeper’s meeting at bottom of racecourse.
• The Starter is posted at top of hill in the Start House.
• Responsibilities include: communicates with announcer at bottom of hill, via radio, and starts racer on the course when cleared to do so.

Gatekeeper

• (3-4 persons required)
• Reports at 8:45 AM to gatekeeper’s meeting at bottom of race course.
• Responsibilities include: observes racers as they proceed through assigned gates, records bib number of racers who fail to pass through assigned gates on the Gate Judge Card, helps with gate maintenance when necessary, notifies Chief of Course of DSQ’S and other problems.

Finish Line Judge

• (1 person required)
• Reports at 8:45 AM to gatekeeper’s meeting at bottom of racecourse.
• Responsibilities include: observes racers as they proceed through the last two gates and the finish line, records bib number of racers who fail to pass through assigned gates or finish line on the Gate Judge Card.

Announcer

• (1 person required)
• Reports at 8:45 AM to the announcing and recording race shack at the bottom of the racecourse.
• Responsibilities include: communicates with Starter at top of hill, announces racer on the course and finish times of racers.

Recorder

• (2 persons required)
• Reports at 8:45 AM to the announcing and recording race shack at the bottom of the racecourse.
• Responsibilities include manually record times of ski racers onto official seed list and cross check against the timing tape (generated by the timer) after each run. Second person enters times of ski racers into computer (which is used to compute individual and time results).

Bib Collection

• (2 persons required)
• Report at the conclusion of the first run to bottom of racecourse.
• Responsibilities include: collect bibs from Racers as they complete their second run. Sort and stack bibs into storage bins. Identify missing bib numbers and bibs that need to be cleaned or repaired.

Ribbon Preparation

• (2 persons required)
• Report at the end of the race to the main timing and recording shack.
• Responsibilities include: printing the top ten placers names for each age group on ribbons.

Ribbons and Awards Presentation

• Report at the end of the race to the Main Lodge.
• Responsibilities include announce the names of child printed on the back of the ribbons and present them to the winners.

U8 Positions

Starter

• (1 person required)
• Reports at 8:45 am to top of U8 race course.
• Responsibilities include: starts racer on the course when the course is clear.

Timer

• (1 person required)
• Reports at 8:45 AM to the U8 Finish Line.
• Responsibilities include: records times for individual U8 Racers (times generated by automatic timing system).

Recorder

• (1 person required)
• Reports at 8:45 AM to U8 Finish Line.
• Responsibilities include: record the individual times of each U8 Racer.

Calculations

• (1 person required)
• Reports at end of U8 race to main timing and recording shack.
• Responsibilities include: enter the individual times of the U8 Racers into the computer, which calculates the top 10 finishers and adds race results to compute overall team scores.

Bib Collection

• (2 persons required)
• Report at the conclusion of the first run to bottom of racecourse.
• Responsibilities include: collect bibs from Racers as they complete their second run.

Calculations and Posting

• (2 persons required)
• Reports at end of U8 Race to Main Lodge.
• Responsibilities include: calculate top ten placers

Ribbon Preparation U8

• (2 persons required)
• Reports at end of U8 Race to main timing and recording shack.
• Responsibilities include: printing top ten placers and participants names on ribbons.

Ribbons and Awards Presentation

• (1 person required)
• Report at the end of the race to the Main Lodge.
• Responsibilities include: announce the names of child printed on the back of the ribbons and present it to the winners.

ADDRESSES & DIRECTIONS TO SKI AREAS

Nashoba Valley

Powers Road,Westford, Massachusetts

• Take Rt. 2 West to Concord Circle, then West on Rt. 2A/119 about 6 miles
• Take a right on Powers Road – Nashoba Valley is on your left.

Wachusett Mountain

499 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA

• Take Rt. 2 West to Exit 25 for Westminster/Princeton.
• Take Rt. 140 South to a right onto Mile Hill Rd. and travel 1/2 mile to the Ski Area entrance on the right.

Ski Bradford

South Cross Road,Haverhill, Massachusetts

• Take Rt. 495 North to exit 48, Ward Hill/Bradford/Rt. 125.
• At the end of the connector bear left onto Rt. 125 North.
• Go approximately 2 miles; you will see Bradford College on the right.
• Just after the college you will see a town common; take a right at the end of the common, this is Salem Street.
• Go approximately 2 miles.
• You will see Carter's Ice Cream Stand on the left.
• Take the second right after the ice cream stand.
• This is South Cross Road.
• The entrance to the parking lot is 1/8 mile down on the left side.

Ski Ward

1000 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA

• Mass Tpk. to route 495 north to route 20 west.
• Follow route 20 through Northborough center one mile.
• Just past St. Rose of Lima church bear right at light on to West Main Street.
• Travel 1.5 miles to Ski Ward on left.

Blue Hills

4001 Washington St., Canton, Massachusetts

• Take Rt. 128/95 South towards Cape Cod to exit 2B for Rt. 138 North/Washington Street toward Milton.
• Follow Washington Street about 1 mile to Ski Area parking on your right.