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Competition Team

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Vision Statement:

Provide the athletes with a structured program to promote success as defined by the athlete’s competitive racing goals. To develop strong athletes with the desire to compete at high levels by honing their racing skills in accordance with the US Ski & Snowboard Sports Education Program. The early season focuses on fundamental ski techniques through structured free skiing.   As the season progresses, the focus shifts to race tactics and increased exposure to gate training.  Athletes are expected to compete in Eastern PA Regional Races and are eligible to be invited to PA State Championships.

All Competition Team members require a United Ski and Snowboard membership.

For an outline of the steps for USSS Registration and PARA race registration, please see the following article – Steps for USSS/PARA Registration

U10/U12:

Ages 9-11 as of Dec 31st of the ski season.

This program is designed for skiers who are interested in advanced racing techniques and plan to enter United Ski & Snowboard (USSS) competitive races in northeastern Pennsylvania. 

Previous race training is not required.

This Instructional Level:

  • Establishes a forum for teaching fundamentals
  • Establishes a forum for teaching basic racing skills
  • Racecourses are set to test a range of learned skills
  • Although the basic goal is to improve skills, there is still an emphasis on having fun.

Competitors at this level may not be allowed to employ specialized equipment.

  • Use of speed suits may be limited or discouraged
  • Use of ski wax may be limited or discouraged
  • Only one pair of skis may be allowed per an event’s course inspection(s) and competition

U14:

Ages 12-13 as of Dec 31st of the ski season. 

This program is designed for skiers who are interested in advanced racing techniques and plan to enter United Ski & Snowboard (USSS) competitive races in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Previous race training is not required but recommended.

  • First competitive level in which all event types are explored
  • Racecourses follow the U.S. Ski & Snowboard specifications
  • Events at this level are timed
  • Results are recognized with trophies and/or medals in the same manner as in upper-level races
    The emphasis continues to be on fun and improvement through the use of advanced skills.

U16:

Ages 14-15 as of Dec 31st of the ski season. 

This age category is the first time the athletes compete as part of scored competitions. Athletes earn United States Ski and Snowboard seed points based on previous race results and are seeded at the following races based on point rankings.  Training is spent the majority in gates at higher rates of speed. 

Previous race training is recommended.

U16 and over are athletes 14 and 15 years of age –
U16 is currently the first competitive level where all Divisions allow athletes to earn National
Points –
The points provide ranking the national (U.S. Ski & Snowboard) level

  • Competitors may be recognized either by their overall result or their result in their specific age
    group
  • All racecourses follow the U.S. Ski & Snowboard specifications
    The emphasis is on advancing multi-event racing skills and preparing athletes for competing in upper-level events.

U18 – U21:

U18: Ages 16-17 as of Dec 31st of the ski season. 
U21: Ages 18-20 as of Dec 31st of the ski season.

Training is spent the majority in gates at higher rates of speed and on race tactics. This age category will require racers to compete on challenging terrain and courses.  Athletes compete in scored competitions across races throughout Pennsylvania (PA CUP Races).

  • “Over” refers to athletes who are 16-20 years of age
  • Athletes who are 21 years of age or older are designated as “Senior”
  • Competitors may be recognized either by their overall result or their result in their specific age
    group
  • All racecourses follow the U.S. Ski & Snowboard specifications
    The emphasis is on advancing multi-event racing skills and preparing athletes for competing in upper-level events.

FIS Competitive Level:

  • Athletes 16 years of age and older as of December 31 of the current competition season may choose
    to register (inscribe) as a FIS athlete
  • FIS-inscribed athletes compete at international (FIS) level events
  • FIS-inscribed athletes who successfully compete at FIS-level events earn FIS Points
  • FIS events are seeded with earned FIS Points
  • FIS events are set according to the level of competition as well as the ability of the field
  • FIS racecourses follow FIS course setting specifications

Other U.S. Ski & Snowboard Racing Opportunities:

  • Collegiate ski competition is an important part of the sport in the United States
  • Collegiate ski competition provides post-secondary school age competitors the opportunity to continue their ambitions in ski racing
  • Collegiate ski racing allows competitive athletes the opportunity to also pursue education goals
  • College athletes who are U.S. Ski & Snowboard competitor members have access to the U.S. Ski &
    Snowboard National Points List
  • Some collegiate events are organized as FIS University (FIS-U) events where FIS points and international rankings may be achieved
  • In addition to collegiate leagues, many high school athletic associations have successful high school leagues that promote snow sport
  • National Collegiate Programs:
    • Two national collegiate programs are available: –
      National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
      i. In the East, the NCAA varsity team regional college circuit is the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski
      Association (EISA)
      ii. In the Rocky Mountains, the NCAA varsity team regional college circuit is the Rocky Mountain
      Intercollegiate Ski Association (RMISA)
      iii. Both circuits offer access to the NCAA Skiing Championships –
    • U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA)
      i. USCSA offers programs from full varsity teams to club sport teams.
      ii. USCSA is organized into several conferences
      iii. All circuits provide opportunities for athletes to qualify to one of the six regional championships
      that lead to the USCSA Championships
  • All collegiate championship series boast elite levels of competition and provide national recognition for their respective programs