Generally, in the U14 program, 12 and 13 year old athletes focus on the Train to Train phase of their development as alpine racers. In addition to the continued development of basic skiing and racing skills, strength and endurance training become a more significant part of training. U14 athletes are increasing challenged to adapt and refine the skiing and racing skills they have learned, while learning to pattern and perceive new skills. Consistent with their growing skills and physical capacities, most K2 racers will train for and race all events – Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G, Super Combined and, where appropriate, Downhill.
Eligibility
Age: 12 or 13 years of age as of December 31 of the current race season.
Membership: To race in NCD-OSZ Series and Championship events, U14 athletes must have a Canadian card and be listed on the at Alpine Canada Alpin database that is located at www.acapoints.ca/e/html/results/e_natpoints.asp.
Notes:
Disabled skiers are eligible to participate in U14 events. For further information about disabled ski racing please see section 2.6 below; and
U16 and U18 racers are eligible to participate in U14 Series events on dates when there are no OSZ-NCD Junior events scheduled.
Equipment Standards
Racers who are not properly equipped will not be permitted to start a race. Parents and racers are encouraged to discuss equipment selection with the racer’s coach to ensure that athlete has the appropriate items:
Skis: There are no restrictions regarding ski length and radius for NCD-OSZ events. The racer‟s physical development, ability and skills must be considered in selecting appropriate and safe equipment.
Helmets: At all events, competitors must wear full hard-shell helmets specifically designed and manufactured for the particular event.
Boots: Maximum boot height (distance between the ski boot sole and the base of the heel including all hard and soft parts) – 43 mm
Bindings: Maximum standing height (the distance between the bottom of the ski‟s running surface and the ski boot sole) – 50 mm.
Clothing: Downhill and other suits designed for alpine racing are permitted.
Race Format
U14 Slalom and GS events in the regular OSZ-NCD series consist of one race of two runs. Super-G races consist of one run. Super combined events will consist of one Super-G run and one Slalom run.
Race Entries
All registered U14 and disabled racers are automatically entered in every OSZ-NCD Series race. The list of these racers is published on the Outaouais Ski Zone Web site (www.skioutaouais.qc.ca) and updated, as necessary, beginning in early January. Coaches and parents are encouraged to consult the published lists to verify that the entry list is complete and that the information for each racer is accurate. Any errors or omissions should be immediately reported to Jim Coflin ( jcoflin@ca.inter.net) or the club’s U14 coordinator.
U16 &U18 racers wishing participate in a race must arrange for their coaches to submit the appropriate entry forms in accordance with instructions included in the race notice for that event. Late entries will be seeded at the end of the start order.
Race Fee
The entry fee for each race is $30.00 per competitor payable to the host club the morning of the race. The entry fee covers the cost of the athlete‟s lift ticket.
Start Order
National Capital Outaouais regional Start order randomization system 2023-24 season.
Blocks: Number of groups and number of subgroups is set to the number of races; 3 races means 3 groups and 3 subgroups in each group … (4 races means 4 groups and 4 subgroups in each group).
For U8, randomization for each race and run before the U10 group. For the second run, a full reverse also U8 go before the U10 group.
For U10, blocks for SL (no GS in U10) with a full reverse for the second run (after the U8 group).
For U12, blocks for SL and different blocks for GS. The second run is a flip 30 plus all DNF & DSQs.
For U14, blocks for SL, different blocks for GS, and different blocks for SG. For the second run, a flip 30 will be used, plus all DNF & DSQs.
For U16, blocks for SL, different blocks for GS, and different blocks for SG. For the second run, a flip 30 will be used, plus all DNF & DSQs.
For U18+, randomization for each race and run after the U16 group.
A full reverse second run includes DNFs and DSQs.
The cancellation of a race means that the start order will not be used. It is lost. If a race is postponed the “Start List” for that event remains with that event, at whatever date it is held.
The postponement of a race means the start order follows that race to its re-scheduled date and place.
Here are the category sizes.
| Sex / sexe | TOTAL | Number of Race events /
Nombre de courses |
Blocks / Blocs | ||||||
| Category /
Catégorie |
F | M | SL | GS | SG | SL | GS | SG | |
| U8 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 | N/A | 4 (ABCD) | N/A | ||
| U10 | 38 | 55 | 93 | 4 | 4 (ABCD) | ||||
| U12 | 71 | 67 | 138 | 4 | 2 | N/A | 4 (ABCD) | 2 (AB) | N/A |
| U14 | 59 | 72 | 131 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 (ABC) | 3 (ABC) | 2 (AB) |
| U16 | 45 | 61 | 106 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 (ABC) | 3 (ABC) | 4 (ABCD) |
| U18 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 (ABC) | 3 (ABC) | 4 (ABCD) |
| 232 | 276 | 508 | |||||||
OTHER issues:
- Second runs: Full reverse for U8 and U10 and flip-30 for U12/U14/U16. DSQs & DNFs at the end or in bib order.
- Where numbers are few like U8 & U18 the group as a whole will be randomized.
- Out of region athletes, at u14, U16 & U18 local series events like SG races (not the camps) would be handled as follows:
- The out of region athletes: In the SG example, the blocks would be created in the week before the race. If they had registered before that, they would go in with everyone else from our region. If they register after that, they will go in their own block at the end.
Safety
The safety of competitors, officials, and spectators is of paramount importance. At each race, the Jury is charged with the responsibility of taking all reasonable steps to ensure that safety and, to that end, has the authority to cancel, postpone or annul a run or race if necessary.
Course Tear Down
All competitors and coaches are required to report to the start area after the last run of the day to assist with course tear down – failure to so may result in sanctions for both competitors and coaches.
Race Results
Medals are awarded to U14 competitors only at each race and are determined by the combined times for the first and second run. If a racer is disqualified (DSQ) or does not finish (DNF) one of the runs, his or her combined time is not calculated.
If two racers tie in their combined times, the tie stands and medals are awarded as follows:
- a tie for first place – two gold medals and a bronze
- a tie the second position – a gold medal and two silver; and
- a tie for third place – one gold, one silver, and two bronze.
Reporting Results
The results of each race are reported to ACA for the purposes of calculating national points. ACA posts these results on the national website at www.acapoints.ca. (Please note that a copy of the results will be posted on the OSZ website.)
In addition, series points (see Section 4) will be calculated for the U14 athletes each run and the results posted on the Outaouais Ski Zone Web site by Thursday following a race. The series points are used for the determining year-end awards for OSZ and NCD Series Results, as well as serving as the basis for selecting the athletes who will participate in provincial championship events.
NCD-OSZ Championships
The NCD-OSZ U14 championships will be held at the end of the season and will consist of one slalom and one giant slalom race. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded based on each athlete‟s combined series points for the two races. One set of medals will be awarded for 13 year olds and another for 14 year olds. Note: For the combined medals, each age category will be scored independently and racers awarded series points according to finishes within their age group.
Ontario Provincial U14 Events
Each year AOA sanctions provincial-level events for 13 and 14 year old racers. The details about these events (dates, fees, quotas, etc) and the criteria that will be used for team selection can be obtained from the NCD club U14 coordinators.
