ALPINE INSURANCE RACE SERIES

NGSL/U12

Who: Competitors aged 4 to 11 (as of December 31st of the current year)

AIM 2: Skier Essentials – Learn to Train

Where: Club, Zone, Provincial

INTRODUCTION

The Nancy Greene Ski League is a national program, inaugurated shortly after Nancy Greene Raine's Gold Medal win at the 1968 Grenoble Olympic Winter Games. Since then, the program has been successful in introducing thousands of children to alpine skiing. Many of Canada's top international skiers received their early training in Nancy Greene Ski League programs.

The program introduces children to basic ski techniques and skills, basic safety rules, and teamwork. Enjoyment of the sport and the mountain environment is also emphasized. The program is aligned with the Skier Essentials and Learn to Train phases of the Long Term Skier Development Model (AIM 2 Win), and the Husky Snow Stars Skill Achievements Program.

The Nancy Greene Ski League also introduces children to competition. These events, held at the club, zone, and provincial level, provide young skiers the opportunity to test the skills they have learned in the program in a fun and friendly environment. The emphasis in competition is placed on individual progress, team results, camaraderie, and fair play.

Entry Level programming and competition is considered all programming for athletes aged 4-11 years of age. There are two primary age categories U12 (10-11 year olds) and U10 (4-9 years old), however additional age categories can be used for awards at events (U8, U6). We are excited that all of the events for these age groups will be supported by Alpine Insurance.

The 2012-13 season will see some significant changes to how we organize our entry level programs. First there is the change in the age groups from the old E1, E2 to the new U12, U10 age groups. The second significant change is the re-organization of clubs into 3 distinct divisions. This is to assist in ensuring there is proper athlete management; by limiting the number of starts and allowing for an increased amount of time training and developing skill. This will also ensure that a good number of athletes are present for each calendared event, to help with race quality and allow for ROCs to plan for their events by knowing which clubs will be involved (each division's clubs listed below).

Competitions

There are two levels of competition, U12 Provincial Races and Divisional Races.

• U12 Provincial Races are only for athletes aged 10 and 11 from all clubs in Alberta. There will be three events on the calendar that will use KK, stubby SL and GS as their race formats. The goal of this race series is to prepare these ski racers for their future in U14 racing. All these races will be run and timed like a national point U14/16 race.
o Events (tentative): Jasper, Red Deer, Norquay.

• Divisional Races are for both the U12 and U10 age categories. Clubs may only race at events that are hosted within their division. Therefore all U10 skiers only compete within their division. This will help with both the athletic management of our young skiers and event quality. There will be 4-8 competition days planned for each division, depending on division size and geography.

Divisions

Clubs have been assigned to one of three different divisions based on geographical location and registered entry level numbers in that area. Clubs will only participate in their division competitions with their U10 skiers. U12 athletes can participate in both the U12 Provincial events and their club's divisional races. Divisional events will be on the official Alberta Alpine competition calendar.

• North Division
o Clubs: Cold Lake, Drumheller, ESC, Fort McMurray, Nitehawk, Parkland, Rabbit Hill, Red Deer, Snow Valley, Sunridge, Valley.
o Events (tentative): ESC, Sunridge, Snow Valley, Fort McMurray, JJO, Rabbit.

• South Division
o Clubs: Snoflyers, COP, Elkwater, Mount Allan, Skimeisters, Sunshine, Westcastle.
o Events (tentative): Sunshine Invitational, Reitbauer, Castle Terrain Event.

• Mountain Division
o Clubs: Bow Valley Quickies, Jasper, Lake Louise, Black Dogs, Team Panorama, Team Panorama West.
o Events (tentative): Doug Meyer, Saipem Cup, Putnam Invitational.

Club Programming

Clubs have the most important role in Entry Level programming. These are the essential years in providing an environment to enhance the skill development of our young ski racers. The change in age groups and the limitation of the number of starts within each division should be used to help provide maximum time for our skiers to learn skills and develop a love for the sport. Please refer to the Alberta Alpine Club Program Guidelines or the Alpine Canada Alpin AIM 2 WIN for more details on program information for these age groups. Clubs are still welcome to host club events or inter club challenges; however these will not be calendared on the Alberta Alpine website.

Standards
• Each participant must be a member in good standing of an Alberta Alpine Club and registered member of the Alberta Alpine Nancy Greene Ski League.
• Each coach must be a member in good standing of the Canadian Ski Coaches Federation or the Canadian Ski Instructor's Alliance.
• Races and events must be sanctioned by Alberta Alpine and Alpine Canada Alpin.
• Clubs are expected to be proactive in coach education and to work with Alberta Alpine to up-skill their coaching staffs. This includes providing coaching mentorship for coaches working toward full CSCF certification as Entry Level Coaches.
• Athletes aged 12 (as of December 31st of the current year) may be given the option to participate in Nancy Greene Ski League/U12 programs based on developmental needs. These athletes may not be eligible to compete in certain events, nor be eligible for awards based on the discretion of Race Organizing Committees. Clubs may seek approval for extended involvement in Nancy Greene Ski League programs through the Athletic Director, brett@albertaalpine.ca.

Important Race and Event Rules
This is a partial list; details of the rules for Alpine Ski Racing are detailed in the ICR.
Please see: http://www.fis-ski.com for further information, or contact the Alberta Alpine office.

1. The ICR Children's rules, Alpine Canada Alpin guidelines, and the Alberta Alpine NGSL Race & Event Rules govern Nancy Greene Ski League events in Alberta.
2. The use of crash helmets is compulsory for all events. Helmets used must be specifically designed and manufactured for Alpine Ski Racing.
3. The use of crash helmets is strongly recommended for all coaches and volunteers.
4. The use of mouth protection and back protectors specifically designed for Alpine Ski racing is strongly recommended for all competitors.
5. Speed suits are permitted at all NGSL Division and U12 events.
6. NGSL races are seeded in club order, which is determined by random draw. U12 races are seeded by individual, which is determined by random draw. Please refer to the Alberta Alpine event guidelines for specific details.
7. The host club, in conjunction with Alberta Alpine, will decide the maximum quota of racers from visiting teams if venue capacity is an issue.
8. All racers must be accompanied by a certified coach / instructor during course inspection.
9. The Team Captain's Meeting should be held the night before, or the morning of the first day of racing.
10. Awards should be within one hour of the end of the race and should last less than 30 minutes. Award categories are determined by the host club, but U12, U10, U8, U6 are recommended.

Race Format Options (other than traditional format)

• Sprint Format Races
• Sprint races take place on single or dual course of one event (SL, GS or KK)
• Sprint format allows for 3 - 4 race runs in one day with no significant re-set of the course between runs (gates may be moved slightly without a new inspection to compensate for course deterioration at the discretion of the Jury)
• In sprint format, run 2 follows immediately after run 1. Start order is "1 - 100" in both runs 1 and 2. Where possible (if field size allows), a lunch break is taken after run 2 (with course maintenance done in that time) and runs 3 and 4 run in start order "100 - 1." (mandatory)
• Results are calculated by adding the best 2 of 4 runs or best 1 of 3 (or fewer) runs, DSQ/DNF/DNS do not count against the competitor unless they do not have valid times in 2 of 4 (or 1 of 3 or fewer) runs.

• Split Format Races
• A split race features 2 single or dual courses in separate race arenas (e.g. a GS followed by a SL course, generally upper and lower courses)
• In split format, competitors race on one course and then move to the next immediately after finishing (achieving 2 race runs in one chairlift ride)
• There should be no need for significant re-sets of the courses between runs (gates may be moved slightly without a new inspection to compensate for course deterioration at the discretion of the jury)
• The start order must run "1-100" in the morning and "100 - 1" in the afternoon.
• Results are calculated by adding the best 2 of 4 runs (in one event - i.e. SL time should not be added to GS time - SL and GS should be presented as separate races) or 1 of 3 (or less). DSQ/DNF/DNS do not count against the competitor unless they do not have valid times in 2 of 4 (or 1 of 3 or fewer) runs.

• Team Events
• Team events require a dual SL, GS or KK competition with the draw done by team
• Competitors of similar age and ability from different teams should be paired in the courses and then race for points for their team
• Teams must be minimum 10 racers (smaller teams should be combined to form the minimum number)
• A "win" = 10 points, "tie" = 5 "loss" = 1 and "DSQ/DNF" = 0
• Total points earned by the team are divided by the number of racers to give an average team score, the team with the highest score wins
• Top 3 teams should be recognized at awards. There is no need to present medals or ribbons to all members of the winning teams.

SNOW STARS PROGRAM
Who: Competitors aged 4 to 13 (as of December 31st of the current year)
AIM 2: Skier Essentials - Learn to Train
Where: Clubs and Ski Areas

Introduction

Snow Stars, Alpine Canada's skill development program for young skiers, will guide children, parents and coaches through the appropriate skill progression. The goal of Snow Stars is to provide a solid foundation and knowledge base - physical, technical, tactical, and mental - to build children's athletic abilities.
The Snow Stars Program consists of seven levels, which prioritize key skills that children need to progress from beginner to advanced levels of ski racing. Each level is a guide for the coach to design a training plan that ensures competency in fundamental motor skills and fundamental skiing skills. Children will also learn about ski safety, cooperation, independence, listening skills, self-confidence, goal-setting, group/peer learning and task focused activities.
Further information about the Snow Stars Program can be found in the Snow Stars Parents and Coaches Manual and from your program Head Coach.