Mid J 1/2/3 Ability Program
(ages 13 and above)
This program is designed for children 13 years of age and above. Members of this team, both full time and weekend (holiday) programs, will participate in the United States Ski Association Races on several levels both at home, regionally and nationally. This program concentrates on ski preparation and competition both physically and mentally along with advanced ski and race training. The Far West Ski Association holds a physical fitness test every fall and all division members are required to participate in this testing. Athletes over the age of 13 are expected to exhibit self motivation and have a desire to excel.
J 4/5 Training Program (ages 8 - 12)
This program is designed for children *8 - 12 years of age who would like to participate in an organized ski and race program. Members of this team, both full time and weekend (holiday) programs will learn how to build their skiing confidence and to improve their skiing and racing skills. This "Training Team" is ideal for kids who want to improve their skills and have fun doing it. This team will participate in Tahoe League and Far West Ski Association races depending upon individual ability. The children will be divided into groups based on age and ability.
J/6 Development Team: (ages 7 and under)
This program is designed for the younger child who has already learned how to ski, but needs further instruction on the basic skills and techniques that will enable them to go anywhere on the mountain. Emphasis will be on improving skiing skills, skiing etiqutte and safety while having fun! These younsters may participate in special competitive races within their own age category if desired.
RACING HANDBOOK INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to the Heavenly Foundation's Junior Racing Team! Ski racing is fun and our program is set up so that each boy and girl who participate has an enjoyable experience in a safe setting, learns a lot about ski racing and also about him or herself as well. This handbook is a guide for those of you who are just being introduced to this sport. It provides the basic information each participant needs to know in order to get the most out of the sport.
The Heavenly Foundation's program for youth 12 years of age and younger is divided into J4, J5, and J6 age groups. The J4 category is made up of youngsters 11 and 12 years of age. The J5 category consists of athletes that are from 8 to 10 years of age. We also offer a "Development Team" program for those children who are between the ages of 7 and under. All three programs are designed with fun, safety and skills development. Major activities will include training at home (gates, directed free skiing, and technique) as well as attending races in the appropriate division. Most of these races will be in the basin, although there are a few which are scheduled to be held in Mammoth.
Athletes 13 years of age and older enter the J3, J2 or J1 class. There is a bit more travel involved at these levels. Athletes may choose to try and qualify for the Junior Olympics. By attending a series of qualifier races, racers begin at the age of 13 to accumulate "points" that compare him/her nationally. At age 15, racers can opt to register with the FIS (Federation International de Ski) for international ranking. Of course, there is a local series of races available at all ages for those who do not want to make a large commitment to the sport.
WHAT IS A JUNIOR 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6?
Junior Alpine competiton is divided into age classes set up by the USSA (United States Ski and Snowboarding Association). The age groupings now in effect are:
Junior 1 - 17 to 18 years of age
Junior 2 - 15 to 16 years of age
Junior 3 - 13 to 14 years of age
Junior 4 - 11 to 12 years of age
Junior 5 - 10 to 8 years of age
Junior 6 - 7 years and under
Class is determined by age as of December 31 of the current year/season. (e.g. December 31, 2010 for the 2010-2011 season.)
HOW IS USSA JUNIOR ALPINE COMPETITION ORGANIZED?
USSA
(United States Ski Association) Junior Alpine competition is organized into four regions:
1) East 2) Central 3) Rocky 4) West
We are in the Western Region, which consists of everything west of Colorado and Wyoming. The Western Region includes the Far West Division (that's us), the Pacific Northwest Division, Intermountain Division, Alaska and Northern Divisions. USSA staff in the Far West Divisional office help with regional programs and coordinate volunteer activities. You can contact the Far West Office for up to date information on race changes, corrections and cancellations at the following address:
Lucy Schram
FW SKIING ADMINISTRATOR
P.O. Box 2664 Truckee, CA 96160
Phone: (530) 559-4130
Fax: (866) 739-2993
Email: lucy@fwskiing.org
www.fwskiing.org
TAHOE LEAGUE:
The Tahoe Basin has another racing league called the Tahoe League. This league is a low key, fun race series for racers 18 years of age and younger. The league schedule will be included in your race schedules.
WHAT YOU NEED TO JOIN TO COMPETE:
To compete in Far West, you will need to be a member of the United States Ski and Snowboarding Association as well as the Far West Ski Association. The cost is as follows: J4/5 level is $70.00 for USSA and $35.00 for Far West. Total is $105.00 J1/2/3 level is a competition license fee for $140.00 and $50.00 for Far West Total is $190.00. There is no membership fee for Tahoe League.
HOW TO DETERMINE WHICH RACES TO SIGN UP FOR:
The J4/5 entries are handled on a team basis. For all Far West races, 1) athletes are first signed up on the HSF clipboard with wax fees paid directly to HSF, and 2) entry fees, along with the USSA entry card, are sent to the host site by the parent. For all Tahoe League races, 1) the athlete is signed up in the HSF office with entry fees paid directly to HSF; 2) the coach will then enter the athlete as part of a team entry. You will be asked which races you intend to compete in, based upon your athlete's needs and your coach's input. Many athletes start out in Tahoe League, as they are 1 day races; then move on Far West. Your Coach will often make a suggestion as to which league your athlete should participate in.
TRANSPORTATION TO RACES:
Transportation is the athlete's responsibility. For J4/5 races, you need to show up at the race registration by 8:00am, at the latest. Carpools are the responsibility of the parents.
HOW MUCH EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED:
Skis: At the J4/5 level, only one pair of skis is needed...GS skis are recommended. Slalom skis are shorter, narrower, and quick turning. GS skis are shaped, and turn easily. It is the racer's preference as to the type of ski he'she uses. Proper care and tuning of equipment will greatly enable the racer to hae only one pair of skis at this level. However, it is highly recommended that the athlete have a pair of rock skis in which to use pre-season or an extra pair of skis in which to train on will greatly increase the longevity of the race skis. Recommended ski lengths is now based on skiers weight and ability. There is no set standard for each individual. General rule: Tips to cheek, but check with the coach/technician first.
BOOTS: The most important piece of race equipment. Often, the junior racers are fit in boots that are too large. To find the proper fit, the liner and shell should be fit separately. The liner should fit the boot snugly with one thin ski sock. The foot should then be slid to the front of the shell so that the toe is gently resting against the inside of the shell. The skier should then bend his knee forward slightly, while the fitter checks the distance between the shell and the back of the shell interior. FOR A GOOD FIT, THERE SHOULD BE 3/8 TO 3/4 INCH MAXIMUM! The flare of the calf should be above at least the top of the shell. Kids boots are not just scaled down adult boots. The plastic is a thinner gauge, and the youngster should be able to flex the foot easily. Please do not buy boots that do not fit this way. This means that each year most athletes with growing fee will need new boots. There is a lively market for children's boots at our annual ski swap.
Poles: Proper fit for poles includes the racer holding the poles upside down with his/her hand underneath the basket. While standing tall in this fashion, with the handle of the pole on the ground, the elbow joint of the athlete should be at a 90 degree angle.
Other Equipment: A racer must have a helmet if he/she races or participates in the Foundation. Goggles are a necessity, no training is allowed with sunglasses. Athletes with eyeglasses need to either get goggles that fit over their eye wear, or get a pair of goggles with prescription lenses. Slalom shin pads and pole guards are necessary once the athlete learns to "block the gates". Padded ski pants and sweaters are no longer really needed fi you have shin guards and a pole guard. Most racers werar their GS/DH suits for all events now. YOunger racers who want to do this need to make sure thier suit is warm; so it is important to have good warm outer and under layers. Ask your coach for more information.
GENERAL MEETING TIMES:
Weekends: 8:15-3:00pm
Weekdays: 1:00-3:30pm
Evenings: 5:00-7:00pm
