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To: FW ACC – WR ACC – Alpine Sport Committee From: Peter Korfiatis RE: Divisional FIS Racing/WR NJR Series Date: April 1, 2015 Objective: Obtain approval from the USSA Sport Committee to once again gain access to Divisional FIS racing in the FW as well as produce a Regional NJR series. Finalizing with a U18‐21 National event. History: The recent age change within the alpine racing system established a development crux for the grassroots clubs. With expectations of allowing our athletes to physically and mentally develop was good in theory but greatly affected club and collegiate bound skiers. In essence we [the clubs] have two to three years to establish a FIS profile, develop their skiing skills and condition them well enough to move to the next level. The complaint from the National Teams are the club level athletes arrive fundamentally weak, physically weak and are obviously mentally weak. Unfortunately we don’t have adequate time with the athletes to give the National Teams what they need and deserve. Conversely, we have to consider the goals of our “customers,” the athletes and the parents. This is an inconvenient truth. FIS scoring opportunities are becoming increasingly difficult. The Nation’s skiing population has dramatically changed in the past few years. With the addition of so many SR.PG skiers eliminated from the Ski Team and the elevated level of NCAA skiers making up the main body of the Elite FIS fields, taking young immature athletes to compete is a farce. Since 2006 the Park City penalties have fallen by 16 points on the men’s side. [27 (2007) to 11.85 (2015)] The first U‐18 finished 36 from 89. Asking U‐
18’s to compete against 11.85 points is unrealistic and poor athlete management that in the past was a scoring opportunity. Proposal: We propose we obtain a divisional FIS and an NJR series spaced at the following timeline; Divisional FIS Events – •
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2 day SL event – Start of December 2 Day GS event – Mid December 2 Day SG event – End of Christmas Break (still in December) Men and Women’s WR NJR Series •
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4 day Series 2SL/2GS Post Park City (January) Schweitzer Speed Series 2SG/2DH (Late January) 4 Day 2SL/2GS Wild West Classic (Early February) Last Chance qualifier 2SG/1GS/1SL (Mid‐February) National U18‐21 Junior Championships 1DH/1SG/2GS/2SL (Mid‐March) Qualification would be a double board and results side based on WC scoring Conclusion: It seems the direction of the USSA is to go away from FIS skiing, that the goal of our NGB is to have participation in USSA events. However, the goal of our customers and what we truly believe will keep kids in the sport longer is the ability to work towards their respective goals. This unfortunately, or fortunately, leads in the direction of racing at the FIS level. College applications don’t want to know what your USSA point profile reads, additionally, I nor anybody else across the Nation can make the US Ski Team off of their National points. Why then, would we drive athletes away from the FIS pathway? We must give them an avenue, even if they [the athlete] are a second or third tier athlete. We strongly hope you’ll consider this proposal to be just and necessary. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Pete Korfiatis at the information provided or the Far West ACC. Regards, Peter Korfiatis* Performance Director Mammoth Mountain Ski Team 760‐914‐0107 pkorfiatis@mammoth‐mtn.com *This proposal is supported by the Far West ACC, Far West Race Organizers, Program Directors and FIS Coaches: Katharina Golik, Brad Saxe, Aarons Atkins, Hermann Gollner, Oliver Russell, Tom Arnstein, Charles Harris, Ryan Rodarte, and Branko Zagar. SUGAR BOWL SKI TEAM & ACADEMY
P.O. Box 68 | Norden, CA | 95724
April 1, 2015
Dear Lester,
Sugar Bowl believes that divisional FIS racing is a key element in continued growth of the sport in the Far
West as well as supporting the athletic development of all our racers in the most efficient, practical and
affordable manner.
Although we may see smaller field sizes, Sugar Bowl will bid on and is willing to host these events with our
best efforts to produce a quality race.
Please let me know if I can do anything to help or if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Bill Hudson
Director of Athletic Programs
Sugar Bowl Ski Team Foundation
Office: 530.269.7401 | Fax: 530.426.1621
www.sbst.org
Sugar Bowl Academy
Office: 530.426.1844 | Fax: 530.426.1860
www.sbacademy.org
DEDICATED TO THE HEALTHY, JOYFUL GROWTH OF PASSIONATE SKIERS: MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT
Hello Lester,
Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows Resorts would like to request the ability to site
Divisional FIS events with in the Far West again. It is our belief that Divisional FIS starts
are critical for the development of all of our FIS athletes. We believe that providing these
starts with in division well help participation and keep travel costs to a minimum.
I am sure you recall, smaller field sizes have been an issue in the past. The Far West will be
looking hard at ways to make these events successful even with the potential for smaller
field sizes.
Thanks you for your consideration. Please feel free to let me know if you have any
thoughts or concerns.
Sincerely,
Kyle Crezee
Director of Events, Activities, Security and Terrain Parks
Office: 530.452.7256
[email protected]