The information that follows is intended as a general overview.

Weather

Concerning the weather, if there is a practice or race scheduled and the Bottineau Winter Park Ski Area is open, coaches will be there and practice or the race will be held. If some severe weather situation develops to alter this policy, we will inform you in advance. Remember to check the BWP.org website for the latest updates. It is up to you to decide if it is safe to drive and to ski. Check the Ski Report for conditions.

Basic Racing Rules

The following are basic rules that every racer must know when entering the race season. More information will be provided by the team coaches and through team training and education meetings.

Racers must observe and follow the Skier’s Responsibility Code.

  • Always ski in control and be able to stop or avoid other people and objects.
  • People ahead of you have the right of way.
  • You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
  • Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail look uphill and yield to others.
  • Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
  • Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  • Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge to load, ride and unload safely.

Racing

A race course is skied as fast as possible while going through the gates in the proper sequence. Electronic devices automatically capture the racer’s time. Gate judges are stationed along the course to insure each racer completes the course properly. Depending on the conditions, two or three racer may be on the course at any given time.

Bibs

All racers MUST wear their racing bibs for ALL USSA and MASD races. Racing bib must be worn on the outside of race suits, vests or coats so that they are visible to the race staff and officials. A racer without a racing bib will not be allowed to race.

Course Inspection

The race sequence begins with a time designated for the racers to inspect the course. Racers are required to stay outside the gates during inspection. Depending on weather and snow conditions, some races will allow racers to “slip” or snowplow through the gates. Check with your coach before slipping a coarse. Racers are NEVER allowed to ski the course before racing. A BWP coach or parent will usually be there to help the racers do their inspection. Inspection will be closed at the designated time and racers will be asked to clear the course. Race officials may then ask volunteers to slip the course to smooth the snow and  prepare/maintain the course for racing.

Disqualification

The following will result in disqualification from a race:

  • Missing a gate
  • Skiing outside the course boundary
  • Poor sportsmanship including the use of foul language
  • Failing to complete the course from start to finish
  • Loss of forward movement in the case of a GS course – see coach for details
  • A racer is required to ski off the course and not finish the race if he/she is disqualified from the race

Falling

A racer who falls without losing a ski is allowed to continue in SL and GS as long as forward momentum has not stopped. In SL hiking to catch a missed gate is allowed as long as you are not being over taken by the next racer or you are not interfering with an oncoming racer. In GS as long as forward momentum is continuing you may continue to race but no hiking is ever allowed in GS. Gate judges may help a racer in directions only if asked by the racer, if not asked for directions by a racer gate judges are to remain silent.

Forerunner

Prior to starting the race, the race officials will designate volunteer “forerunners” to be the first skiers on the course. The forerunner cannot be a participant in the race. This is the final test that the timer is functioning properly and that the course is properly and safely set.

Pole Guards

Pole guards are for SL events only, and are not allowed to be worn in a GS, SG, or DH event

Chin Guards

Chin guards are for SL events only, and are not allowed to be worn for GS, SG, or DH events

Mouth Guards

Are not required but strongly recommended for all practices and races

Back Braces

Are not required but strongly recommended for all practices and races of speed events and skier cross

Helmets

Racers MUST wear helmets for ALL races and training situations. For MASD events helmets must not have soft sides and for speed events in U14 and older FIS stickers must be on helmets in both USSA and MASD events. A racer without a helmet will not be allowed to participate.

Gates

In SL a gate is the imaginary natural race line between the poles of opposite color. Except in the case of the first and last gate of the course and in combinations on SL. In these places on the course there will be an outside gate of the same color in which to pass. In GS, SG, and DH there will be paneled gates and a set of outside paneled gates in which the racer must pass between.  The Imaginary line must be passed with the tips of each ski and the ski boots and must be in the natural race line direction.

Interference

A racer who is interfered with during a run must ski off the course and request a rerun from a gate judge or a race official.  Interference includes such things as but not limited to gate, pole or ski lying in the racers natural race path. Skiing off the course and asking for a rerun doesn’t automatically guarantee a rerun and just because a provisional rerun is granted doesn’t mean that the rerun will stand. Also a racer that finishes the race even though he/she was interfered with will not be given a rerun and their original time will stand.

Reruns

Racers are given a chance to rerun the course if the electronic timer fails, there is a problem with the course or there is interference by spectator, other racer, animals or objects. The race officials will decide if disqualifications and reruns are allowed and in the end of race If coach or athlete which to protest decisions made on the hill they can protest in righting and with fee’s and then can talk to race jury to decide fate.

Starting Order

Each race is unique. A MASD race for Nancy Green is run by club and is random starting order by draw. The clubs are kept together in the race order so that it is easier for coaches the keep their team in line. With some other events and the older athletes, they might keep age groups together and then random draw the order or random draw the top 30 to 50 and then the rest by a points system. Or they might random draw everything. IT IS EACH RACERS RESPONSIBILITY TO BE THERE WHEN THEIR NUMBER IS CALLED. A racer arriving late due to taking a practice run, slow lift lines, etc. may race if his/her class has not completed. If his/her class is completed they shouldn’t try to start unless they have spoken to race officials and have been given the OK to start. He/she might have to run at the very end but in most cases are slid in as close to their normal start as possible.

Additional Race Information

Sometimes races start late. Volunteers run races and there can be delays due to organizational problems, course problems, computer or timing setup problems or for a variety of other reasons. Anticipate some confusion. In the event of a delay, the coaches will be checking into the cause and the anticipated length of the delay. Please do not take your frustrations out on the volunteers trying their best to run the race. If anything, offer your assistance. If you have questions, ask a coach, race official or another parent.

NEVER DISTURB THE PEOPLE IN THE TIMING BUILDING.

It’s up to each racer to know where and when they are supposed to be and to be there on time!