Race Proceedures

NOTE: The following is offered as a general guide to racers. Official rules and regulations are governed by USSS (see competition guide) as modified by race officials.  Actual race agendas may vary, please refer to the race notice accompanying the online registration listing for exact times for each race.

Racer Registration

  • Racers are expected to complete online registration and payment for all races they plan to run at the beginning of the season.  Refunds will be provided after each race for any cancelled races or races in which the paid racer did not compete.
  • Registrations on site on the day of the event may be permitted at the discretion of the Race Secretary and the Race Chair, but only to the extent time and space permit.  A late fee may be applicable.
  • NO Racer will be permitted to participate in a USSS race event without a active USSS competitor membership.
  • All racers must check in for the race and pick up their race bib between 7:30AM and 8:30AM on race day at the Training Center at the base of the mountain between Tyrol and Avalanche slopes.

Race Bibs

  • All racers must provide a $20 bib deposit at registration.  WPRC staff will hold the bib deposit until the racer returns the bib at the end of the race day.
  • The bibs will generally be assigned in start order. Start order is determined by:
    1. random draw of non-scored female (U10/U12/U14),
    2. random draw of non-scored male (U10/U12/U14),
    3. seed master women,
    4. seed master men,
    5. seed scored female (U16/U19/U21/Senior), and
    6. seed scored male (U16/U19/U21/Senior).
  • A preliminary start list will be available at the Registration Desk in the Training Center. This list is subject to change due to last minute registrations or withdrawals on the morning of the race. An official start list will be made available on USSALiveTiming.com prior to the start of the race.
  • Competitors must carry their official start numbers during inspection. Bibs must be worn in race fashion during any official training or race.  Bibs shall not be modified in any way.  The penalty for breach of these rules includes disqualification from the race.

Helmets

  • ALL classes of racers are required to wear helmets in all USSS events, in accordance with USSS regulations.
  • Helmets must display FIS approval sticker for Giant Slalom (GS) and Super Giant Slalom (Super G), and Downhill (DH) events.
  • Racers without an appropriate helmet will not be permitted to start the race.
  • These helmet rules include forerunners.

Course Inspection

  • All racers should meet their coaches for course inspection at the top of Avalanche one hour before the start of the race.
  • During course inspection, skiing through the gates and shadowing is not permitted unless otherwise advised.  Violation of this rule may result in disqualification by the race jury.
  • During the coaches meeting, the race jury may modify inspection due to weather conditions.  Check with your coach for any modifications to inspection before starting inspection.

Start

  • Race time may start at either 9:30 AM or 10:00 AM.  Check the race agenda posted on AdminSkiRacing.com for each race.
  • Racer must know his or her own starting position. Consult start list. Remember there may be gaps in bib numbers for DNS or otherwise.
  • Racer is responsible to be at starting gate when bib number is called.
  • Racers should have all over clothes removed and be ready to start no later than when the fifth racer ahead starts.
  • Racers should review with coaches the starting commands for slalom and giant slalom.

Interference

  • If a racer feels he or she has suffered from interference on the course, he/she MUST SKI OUT OF THE COURSE IMMEDIATELY and request a provisional rerun from the nearest race official or gatekeeper, explaining the specific problem and location.
  • Failure to ski out of the course will preclude the granting of a provisional rerun.
  • Interference includes, but is not limited to, a non-racer skiing into or across the course in the path of the racer.

Rerun

  • Racers should remain in the finish area for 5 minutes after each run in case one is required to make a rerun.

Disqualification

  • A binding release occurring more than two gates above the finish in slalom and giant slalom shall be considered a "clear disqualification."  The racer may not continue on the course after a ski comes off.  Unless the racer is hurt, he should remove himself and his equipment from the race course as quickly as possible to avoid obstructing the path of the next racer.
  • A racer may be disqualified (DQ) for other technical reasons such as missing a gate, an improper start, or an exhibition of poor sportsmanship.
  • U16/U19/U21/Sr. Racers disqualified in their first run may be permitted to race in the second run depending upon course conditions and decision of race committee.
  • U10/U12/U14 Racers will always compete in both runs because Championship Series (Derby) points are based on best finishes in completed runs rather than races.
  • The OFFICIAL disqualification list is posted in finish area scoreboard window shortly after the completion of each run.  A list will be posted even if there have been no disqualifications.  Racers concerned that they may have been disqualified must wait until the list is posted in the finish area.
  • A protest of a disqualification must be filed by a coach, if applicable, within 10 minutes after the disqualification is posted.  The protest must be accompanied by the applicable protest hearing fee.

Second Run

  • Time will be announced on P.A. system (but usually around 1:00 PM).
  • Start order for 2nd run is based on 1st run finish results - NOT BIB NUMBER.
  • Start order is posted on USSALiveTiming.com prior to start of second run.

Finish Times

  • Times in scoreboard window, on display clock, and on Live Timing are UNOFFICIAL.
  • Official times will be at award ceremony and posted to USSS website.
  • Generally speaking, only timing personnel, race administration, and race officials are permitted in the timing hut on race day.  Raise any timing concerns to your race coach.

Racer Conduct

  • Racers are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
  • Use of profanity or poor sportsmanship will result in disqualification.
  • Proper conduct includes respect for competition officials, ski area employees, and the skiing and snowboarding public.
  • During training and on race days, racers are expected to exhibit courtesy and good manners, responsible behavior, and respect for property, facilities, privileges, operating procedures, and closed areas.
  • Throughout the season, racers must abstain from illegal use of alcohol and drugs.

Awards

  • Award ceremony is usually in the Matterhorn Lounge approximately 1 hour following the conclusion of the race.
  • Complementary snacks and beverages are available. Cash bar.
  • On mountain race photographs are frequently available for purchase.
  • Awards for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place are based on combined times of both runs in each of the following classes:
    • U10 - Female / Male
    • U12 - Female / Male
    • U14 - Female / Male
    • U16 - Female / Male
    • U19 - Female / Male
    • U21 - Female / Male
WPRC Logo - Header

Western Pennsylvania Race Club (WPRC) is a successfully run ski program based at Seven Springs. The club has been in operation since 1962. WPRC promotes the development of youth athletics through alpine ski racing.

P.O. Box 153
Melcroft, PA 15462

info@wprcskiteam.org