An Alpine Official as a Referee or a Jury Advisor (Start/Finish Referee) An Alpine Official as a Referee or a Jury Advisor (Start/Finish Referee)

GENERAL INFORMATION: DETERMINING AN ATHLETES AGE CLASS An athletes competition age class is calculated by their actual age on December 31 of the competition season. The current competition season is July 1, 2013 – June 30, An athletes competition age class will be determined by their actual age on December 31, 2013.

USSA CONCUSSION POLICY Any USSA athlete under the age of 18 years suspected of having sustained a concussion must be removed immediately from participation in USSA sporting events (e.g. sanctioned training, practice, camps, competitions or tryouts). The minor athlete will be prohibited from further participation until evaluated and cleared in writing to resume participation. Upon removal of a minor athlete from participation for a suspected concussion, the USSA TD or member coach making the removal must inform USSA Competition Services at Athletes medically cleared to resume participation must provide medical clearance. (A Head Injury Evaluation is available in the Master Packet of Forms.) If necessary, properly executed medical clearance can be presented to and accepted by an on-site Jury. For athletes under the age of 18, the request to return to training/competition must be submitted by respective athletes parent/legal guardian.

MEMBERSHIP & CERTIFICATIONS Jury members, Jury Advisors (Start and Finish Referee), Chief of Course and Course Setters must be current members of USSA as a Coach/Official or Official Jury members must be appropriately certified; Referee and Assistant Referee (speed events) must be certified Referees for all levels 0f competition: scored and non-scored Jury Advisors for scored events must either be a certified Referee, Jury Advisor or Chief of Race Jury Advisors for non-scored events should either be a certified Referee, Jury Advisor or Chief of Race Coaches must be Coach members in order to participate in any capacity at any USSA event – scored or non-scored; this includes serving as an on-hill coach.

REFEREE / JURY ADVISOR FOR ALPINE OFFICIALS Sources of InformationSources of Information Duties and Responsibilities of the RefereeDuties and Responsibilities of the Referee During the RaceDuring the Race Race-Day ScenariosRace-Day Scenarios

Resources and References FIS ICR Precisions ftp://ftp.fisski.ch Rules of FIS Points WC & COC rules Calendar & bylaws USSA Competition Guide Division links Division/State Handbooks AO Manual

Glossary of Job Descriptions Forms Study Guide and Update USSA Competition Regulations (ACR) USSA Course Specifications USSA Code of Conduct FIS ICR and its Precisions Reference Materials

The Role of the Connection Coach One or two are appointed depending on type and level of event Serve as liaison between all Team Captains and the Jury Serve as on-hill Eyes of the Jury May supervise yellow flag zones in DH and SG* Have voice but no vote in Jury matters/decision *Depending on terrain, Jury may also choose to appoint Connection Coach(es) for Giant Slalom events

REFEREE FOR ALPINE OFFICIALS Duties and Responsibilities of the Referee

Draws start numbers Receives start and finish reports Signs and posts the Report by the Referee Referees Job Description USSA/FIS Referees Job Description USSA/FIS Reviews GJ cards for Faults and other notes, e.g. interference Attends Jury meetings: votes and verifies the vote with his/her signature!

Report by the Referee Report by the Referee This form must be completed for each classification gender for each run Posted on Scoreboard/ Official Notice Board with date and time of posting as well as expiration time Bib # as well as named athlete must be reviewed by Team Captains regardless of whether or not they feel one of their competitors may have committed a fault (DSQ) Protest period is 15 minutes! AMERICAS RACE 25 DEC 13 FIS MEN SL – Rn McBride, Brett USA 12 J. Wilson Straddle :00 15: S/REFEREE PARK CITY, UTAH USA 1234

Referee: A Member of the Jury Tenure of the JuryRadios for all USSA/FIS USSA/FIS Technical DutiesJury Minutes USSA/FIS USSA/FIS , Organizational DutiesCourse Inspection USSA/FIS / USSA/FIS DH USSA/FIS DH USSA/FIS SL (see 614.3) USSA/FIS GS 904 (see 614.3) USSA/FIS SG 1004 (see 614.3) Disciplinary Duties USSA/FIS

WHAT IS DUE PROCESS? Due process is "the conduct of formal proceedings according to established rules and principles for the protection and enforcement of private rights, including notice and the right to a fair hearing before a tribunal with the power to decide the case." The Jury shall provide the athlete a full and complete opportunity to present his or her side of the case before imposing any sanctions.

Equipment Rules USSA/FIS Additional rules Ski Stand Height Ski Boot Height Ski Radius Ski Profile Length Ski Length Helmets – required for USSA and FIS DH, SG, GS, SL Competitors and Forerunners Protective Armor – Forearms, Shins & Knees, Back Protectors

HELMETS Required for all events Soft ear protection only allowed in Slalom Helmets with spoilers or edges that protrude are not allowed (does not apply to Slalom headgear) USSA does not allow use of helmet-mounted cameras

BACK PROTECTORS Back protectors are not mandatory. If used: The back protector must adapt to the anatomical bend of the athletes spine and lie flat against the body. The top edge of the back protector must be situated in the area of the spinal column and may not go above the 7th cervical vertebrae (C7). The maximum thickness must be in the middle part and may not exceed 45 mm; the thickness reduces at the edges of the back protector. Designs with the view to improve aerodynamic properties are forbidden. The back protector, as with knee braces, etc.*, must be worn underneath the competition suit. If a knee brace must be worn over the competition suit, it must be covered, e.g. with a piece of an old suit. *Exception forearm protection used in SG, GS and SL and shin protection used in SL

NON-ESSENTIAL COURSE CHANGES: MADE/APPROVED BY JURY USSA/FIS In cases of immediate non-essential but necessary changes on the course, such as small relocation of gates An additional inspection or training run is not necessary. Details must be communicated to all Team Captains and competitors must be informed by the Referee at the start. (Start Referee)

USSA ALPINE OFFICIALS Referee: During the Race

START STOP, YELLOW FLAG STOP In order to stop competitor(s) already on course, Jury member calling START STOP is responsible for calling: START STOP, YELLOW FLAG STOP!

START STOP! USSA/FIS On command, Start Referee closes start Start Referee states, in concise manner via Jury radio: Bib # of last competitor started Bib # of competitor held at start Example: START STOP confirmed, number 24 on course, number 25 at the start Extra verbiage discouraged; Jury channel must be kept open!

WHEN A START STOP or START STOP/YELLOW FLAG STOP IS CALLED: Ski Patrol assigned to the event and in radio contact with the Jury, is now on alert that a competitor may require medical assistance. If the Jury / Eyes of the Jury / Jury Advisor call for medical assistance, Ski Patrol assigned to the event first verifies that the course is clear, i.e.: no racer is on course, Once Ski Patrol assigned to the event has verified that it has a clear course, it responds to the call for medical assistance. SKI PATROL ASSIGNED TO THE EVENT ARE THE FIRST RESPONDERS - NOT COACHES / TRAINERS / OFFICIALS / PARENTS / other ATHLETES!

REOPENING THE COURSE The individual (Jury member, eyes of the Jury or Jury Advisor) who called the START STOP or START STOP, YELLOW FLAG STOP is responsible for releasing the course hold. The course is reopened at the direction of the Jury: either from top to bottom, bottom to top or from the position where the incident requiring the START STOP occurred. The Technical Delegate is responsible for confirming that all Jury members, Jury Advisors, and Eyes of the Jury have reviewed and are aware of start stop and start stop/yellow flag stop procedures.

USSA ALPINE OFFICIALS START REFEREE Jury Advisor at the Start

Start Referee: Jury Advisor at the Start Job Duration USSA/FIS Reruns USSA/FIS 623 No advantage, No DSQ USSA/FIS Supplies reserve bibs USSA/FIS Reports to Referee & the Jury USSA/FIS , 613.7

Rules of the Start USSA/FIS , 613 Delayed Start: Not present when called to start – sanction which could include DSQ! USSA/FIS Valid/False Start: In the Gate; DNS within allowed time - disqualified USSA/FIS 613.7

START COMMANDS: Fixed Interval Events (GS, SG, DH): 10 seconds before the start, the starter will tell each competitor 10 Seconds 5 seconds before the start, he should count 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and then gives the start command GO Non-Fixed Interval Event (SL): As soon as the starter has received the order for the next start, he gives the competitor the warning Ready or Racer Ready A few seconds later, the starter gives the start command GO

USSA ALPINE OFFICIALS Finish Referee Jury Advisor at the Finish

Finish Referee: Jury Advisor at the Finish Reports to Referee & Jury USSA/FIS Job duration USSA/FIS Knows rules of finish USSA/FIS 615 Supervises Finish Controller*, timing and crowd USSA/FIS Ensures protection is on timing equipment USSA/FIS , Communicates with start USSA/FIS 611.1, Determines valid finishes USSA/FIS Finish Referee assumes the duties of the Finish Controller if one is not appointed.

VALID FINISHES ICR states Finish line must be crossed: on both skis, or on one ski, or with both feet. ICR further states that in case of a fall at the finish where the competitor does not come to a full stop, the time can be taken without both of the competitors feet having crossed the finish line For the registered time to become valid, the competitor must immediately cross the finish line with or without skis ACR U , U629.4 state that a binding release more than 2 gates above the Finish line in SL, GS or SG or more than 1 gate above the Finish line in DH shall be considered as a clear DSQ.

REFEREE FOR ALPINE OFFICIALS Race-Day Scenarios

Race-day Scenarios: Part I Seed points of top 8 significantly lower than rest of the field. What can the Jury do? USSA/FIS Four hairpins but not a flush in sight. USSA/FIS Jury cant find an applicable rule. What should the jury do? USSA/FIS A coach reports that ski stack height is too high. What can the Jury do? USSA/FIS 641.1, 644

Tie at flip position. What do we do? USSA/FIS Race-day Scenarios: Part II – FLIP 30 is Standard Flip 15 instead of 30 USSA/FIS PlBib T25 15T19 StBib

Race Day Scenarios: Part III Minimum/Maximum number of gates Minimum/Maximum number of gates DH USSA/FIS 701 GS USSA/FIS * DH USSA/FIS 701 GS USSA/FIS * SL USSA/FIS U , * SG USSA/FIS U , * SL USSA/FIS U , * SG USSA/FIS U , * Racer misses start and requests provisional USSA/FIS 613.6, *Minimum = direction changes for both FIS and USSA FIS SL and SG gate count calculations are different than USSAs Minimum DH start interval USSA/FIS

Race Day Scenarios: Part IV START STOP! is called. What is happening now? USSA/FIS Three electronic timers but no hand timing. What do you do? USSA/FIS Required vertical drop cant be met. Will race score? USSA U ; U , U ; U , U ; U & USSA Application Vertical Drop, Minimum Time and Minimum Penalties FIS – If exception not granted by FIS, vertical drop requirements must be met or race will be reviewed and scored as ENL category not FIS category!

Race Day Scenarios: Part V A racer commits a gate fault His racing speed carries him over Finish Line The racer hikes back over the line and completes passage of the missed gate WHEN WAS HIS TIME TAKEN? USSA/FIS WHAT IS HIS STATUS? USSA/FIS 661.4, U629.4

Race Day Scenarios: Part VI It has been determined that bibs were switched for two racers. What should the Jury consider prior to arriving at a decision? Is there a rule that should be considered? What is their status?

Race Day Scenarios: Part VI What should the Jury consider prior to arriving at a decision? DID THEY GAIN AN ADVANTAGE! USSA/FIS A competitor shall only be disqualified if his mistake would result in an advantage for him with regard to the end result, unless the Rules state otherwise in an individual case. i.e. gate fault, early/late start. If no advantage has been gained, what is their status? MAY BE SANCTIONED – DEFINITELY NOT DSQ!

Race Day Scenarios: Part VII Race Day Scenarios: Part VII - There is an offset in bib #s and start #s. - Bib #109 actually starts #3. - Gate Judge Card lists a fault for Bib #3. What must the Referee verify?

Race Day Scenarios: Part VIII A course worker steps out in front of a racer. What must the racer do? Stop immediately Report interference to nearest Gate Judge Racer or coach must request a rerun Ski down the side of the course to the Finish Only a Jury member can grant a provisional rerun Rerun is provisional until ratified by the Jury

NEW ITEMS FOR

COURSE SETTING SPECIFICATIONS

CHILDRENS COURSE SETTING SPECIFICATIONS

COACHES USSA MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT Except in specific instances where the event has been pre- approved, coaches must have current USSA Coach membership in order to participate in any capacity at any USSA-sanctioned event This requirement includes on-hill coaching ROC may require that coaches present current membership cards!

INTERDICTION TO CONTINUE ON COURSE: DOWNHILL, SUPER G, GIANT SLALOM USA/FIS If a competitor misses a gate, he must no longer continue through further gates USA/FIS If a competitor comes to a complete stop (e.g. after a fall), he must no longer continue through previous or further gates. USA/FIS These rules are valid in all FIS and USSA-scored events with a fixed start interval (DH, SG, GS). U In non-scored events, competitors who do not start (DNS), do not finish (DNF) or who are disqualified (DSQ) in their first run should be allowed to take their second run at the end of the field. U

INTERDICTION TO CONTINUE ON COURSE: SLALOM A competitor may hike to complete passage of a missed gate in Slalom: -as long as the competitor does not interfere with the run of the following competitor or -has not been passed. A competitor who has been passed may not continue on course!

DUTIES & RIGHTS OF THE REFEREE The Referee is no longer responsible for inspecting the course immediately after it is set, alone or accompanied by members of the Jury. The Referee no longer has the right to change the course by taking out or adding gates. These duties/rights are deferred to the Jury as a whole.

USSA EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETE SKI Up AGREEMENT Intention is to accommodate the very top athletes nationally. Allows exceptional athletes to ski-up one class Authorizes the athlete to compete in an age group competition with a class of competitors which are older than the age group designated by USSA HOWEVER: Athletes may compete only in the disciplines which they are normally eligible Athletes may compete only in the specific competitions authorized by the appropriate Regional staff member. FIS does not recognize requests to ski up in class.

PENALTY MANIPULATION Any competitor, official or coach clearly involved in artificially affecting penalty points may be disqualified or sanctioned. Research over the last four years has culminated in a method to identify races where athletes score point improvements far beyond expectations. The following are five of the filters that will be used to identify these races. Every scored event will be subject to these filters and events that meet criteria will be flagged for review by USSA Competition staff and the USSA Classification Working Group. Point improvement greater than 95% confidence interval Low point racers (pace) finish 6 through 10 Greater than 22% of the field scores a point improvement Early season versus spring race date Athletes never ski close (20 points) to the results earned in other races

YELLOW ZONES When a competitor is waved down by a yellow flag: he must stop immediately. he has the right to a re-run, provided that the Jury considers this possible from an organizational point of view. USA/FIS ,

Welcome to the USSA Alpine Officials Referee / Jury Advisor Program Thank you for your efforts helping USSA Alpine Officials to provide events that are fun and fair for all competitors!