An athlete’s competition age class is calculated by their actual age on
December 31 of the competition season.
The current competition season is July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016.
An athlete’s competition age class will be determined by their actual age on December 31, 2015.

• Any USSA athlete – including those with USSA General or Short Term Athlete memberships – suspected of having sustained a concussion must be removed immediately from participation in USSA sporting events (e.g. sanctioned training, practice, camps, competitions or tryouts).
• The athlete will be prohibited from further participation until evaluated and cleared in writing to resume participation.
• Upon removal of an athlete from participation for a suspected concussion, the USSA TD or member coach making the removal must inform USSA Competition Services at jweinman@ussa.org
.
• Athletes medically cleared to resume participation must provide medical clearance. (A “Head
Injury Evaluation” is available in the “Master Packet of Forms”.)
•
If necessary, properly executed medical clearance can be presented to and accepted by an on-site Jury.
• For athletes under the age of 18, the “Concussion Medical Evaluation Form” requesting return to training/competition must be signed by the respective athlete’s parent/legal guardian.

•
Jury members, Jury Advisors (Start and Finish Referee), Chief of Course and Course
Setters must be current members of USSA as a Coach/Official or Official
•
Jury members must be appropriately certified; Referee and Assistant Referee (speed events) must be certified Referees for all levels of competition: scored and nonscored
• Jury Advisors for scored events must either be a certified Referee, Jury Advisor or
Chief of Race
• Jury Advisors for non-scored events should either be a certified Referee, Jury Advisor or Chief of Race. When online Competition Official certification becomes available, Jury Advisors for non-scored events must – at a minimum – be certified Competition Officials.
Coaches must be Coach members in order to participate in any capacity at any USSA event – scored or non-scored; this includes serving as an on-hill coach.

• Except in specific instances where the event has been preapproved, coaches must have current USSA Coach membership in order to participate in any capacity at any
USSA-sanctioned event
• This requirement includes on-hill coaching
• OC may require that coaches present current membership cards!

• Sources of Information
• Duties and Responsibilities of the Referee
• During the Race
• Race-Day Scenarios

FIS
• ICR
•
Precisions
• www.fis-ski.com
• ftp://ftp.fisski.ch
•
Rules of FIS Points
• WC & COC rules
•
FIS Equipment Rules
• Calendar & bylaws
USSA
• Competition Guide
• USSA Equipment Rules
• www.ussa.org
• Region/Division Links
• Region/Division Handbooks
• AO Manual

Glossary of Job Descriptions
Forms
Study Guide and Update
USSA Competition Regulations (ACR) & Precisions
USSA Course Specifications
USSA Code of Conduct
FIS ICR & Precisions

• One or two are appointed depending on type and level of event
• Serve as liaison between all Team Captains and the Jury
• Serve as on-hill “Eyes of the Jury”
• May supervise yellow flag zones in DH and SG*
• Have voice but no vote in Jury matters/decision
*Depending on terrain, Jury may also choose to appoint Connection
Coach(es) for Giant Slalom events

USSA/FIS 601.4.10

This form must be completed for each classification gender for each run
Posted on Scoreboard/ Official Notice Board with date and time of posting as well as expiration time
Bib # as well as named athlete must be reviewed by Team Captains regardless of whether or not they feel one of their competitors may have committed a fault (DSQ)
Protest period is 15 minutes!
SKI AREA USA ####
YOUR RACE DATE
LEVEL MEN GS - 2
5 McBride, Brett
USA
12 J. WILSON STRADDLE
101
2 7 22 34
15:00 15:15 25.12.14
S/REFEREE

• The USSA Technical Delegate Report requires documentation of these calculations, and for events where 1st- run DNF, DSQ athletes are allowed to start in the 2nd run, this can create a unique challenge.
• The Chief of Timing & Calculations and the Race Administrator/Data Manager account for all competitors
• Some Technical Delegates may instruct the Chief of Timing & Calculations to stop recording after all valid 2nd-run starters have completed their run.
• This will result in an incomplete record of the event, so the following is suggested as an alternative procedure.
1. Start Referee notifies Timing when last valid 2nd-run starter has left the start
2. Chief of Timing & Calculations or assistant makes appropriate notations in the DNS and
DNF sections of the Report by the Referee

The following is suggested method. Chief of Timing or assistant may use recording method of their choice; e.g.: End 2 nd Run, Run 1 Racers, etc.
Report by the Referee will now concisely reflect how many actual 2 nd -Run DNS and DNF competitors are to be considered in calculation of “Finishers/Total
Ranked on Result”.

USSA/FIS 601.4.4
USSA/FIS 601.4.6.1
USSA/FIS 601.4.8
USSA/FIS 601.4.5.4, 601.4.5.5
USSA/FIS 601.4.6.2
603.7.4 / 614.3
USSA/FIS DH 703.2
USSA/FIS SL 804.1 (see 614.3)
USSA/FIS GS 904 (see 614.3)
USSA/FIS SG 1004 (see 614.3
)
USSA/FIS 601.4.6.3

Due process is "the conduct of formal proceedings according to established rules and principles for the protection and enforcement of private rights, including notice and the right to a fair hearing before a tribunal with the power to decide the case."
The Jury shall provide the athlete a full and complete opportunity to present his or her side of the case before imposing any sanctions.
USSA/FIS : 224.7 & 646.2

USSA/FIS Additional rules
• Ski Stand Height
• Ski Boot Height
• Ski Radius
• Ski Profile Length
• Ski Length
• Helmets – required for USSA and FIS
DH, SG, GS, SL Competitors and Forerunners
• Protective Armor – Forearms, Shins & Knees, Back
Protectors

• Equipment is the responsibility of the athlete and in the case of a minor, their parents or guardians.
• Equipment must be maintained and utilized in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
• Protests against equipment at a USSA non-FIS event must be handled in accordance with current USSA Equipment Control/Protest Guidelines.
• Protests against equipment at a FIS event must be handled in accordance with current FIS rules.
Equipment violations are subject to disqualification and other sanctions as determined by the Jury. Sanction may be against the individual competitor, or the competitor’s coach if it is determined that he/she is complicit in the use of equipment known to be in violation of the rules.

• Skis must be marked by the manufacture with both the length and the radius. Unmarked skis will be grounds for disqualification.
• USSA scored alpine events, competition equipment will be subject to unannounced control.
• USSA non-scored technical events (GS and SL), equipment control will be dealt with only on a protest basis.
• In the case of all speed events (SG and DH, scored and non-scored) where the Jury has allowed control of equipment at the start for compliance, the athlete will not be allowed to start if their equipment does not meet the current marked specifications.
• Unless clear violation of equipment rules exists, e.g. no helmet, attached helmet camera, missing or broken ski brakes, SG skis in a GS, etc., the Start Referee must not refuse an athlete’s right to start. An athlete in a USSA non-FIS event is also allowed to personalize their helmet with the application of bling, stickers, helmet camera mount, etc.
• The Start and Finish Referees’ responsibility to monitor equipment and communicate to the Jury is critical in this process and should be reviewed by the TD at each event. TD instructions to these individuals must be clear. It is essential that the Start and Finish Referee communicate with and report their findings to the competition Jury.

• The athlete must compete or intend to compete on the suspect equipment.
• The Coach or Team Captain who observes the equipment that is suspect must alert the Start
Referee of his imminent intention to protest the equipment being used by that competitor.
• The Coach or Team Captain must formalize the protest, at the end of the run, with the written protest and the $100 (one hundred USD) protest fee.
• If the athlete has started, the Start Referee alerts the Finish Referee and the Jury, that there is a pending protest against equipment. The equipment must be evaluated or confiscated for evaluation when the competitor arrives in the finish.
• Finish Referee should stop the competitor with suspect equipment and confiscate the suspect equipment pending the filing of the formal protest and Jury review. Confiscation should be witnessed and third-party access to the confiscated equipment must be avoided.
• Equipment protests cannot be considered or accepted if the suspect equipment has left the finish area.

• If approved testing devices are available, or compliance can be confirmed through checking the manufacturer’s marks, the Jury will then evaluate the equipment and render a decision regarding the equipment. The decision of the Jury shall be final.
• If approved testing devices are not available, or the Jury is unable to reach a consensus, the Jury must seal and ship the equipment to the USSA National Office for evaluation. USSA’s decision shall be final.
• The Jury will use the $100 (one hundred USD) protest fee to cover the initial shipping costs. The losing party will be charged by USSA for all expenses related to shipping and testing. Reimbursement must be submitted within 10 (ten) working days of notice of USSA’s decision.
Acceptable equipment control devices for USSA non-FIS event alpine equipment evaluation include:
• Reliable Racing stand height calipers
• FIS-approved equipment-testing devices

• FIS event on-site equipment control may only be conducted by a FIS measurement expert using official FIS measuring tools
• Skis must be clearly marked with both the length and the radius.
Unmarked skis will be grounds for disqualification
• In the case of a speed event (SG & DH) where the jury has allowed inspection of equipment at the start for compliance, the athlete will not be allowed to start if their equipment does not meet the current marked specifications
• Unless clear violation of equipment rules exists, e.g. no helmet, attached helmet camera or helmet camera mount, missing or broken ski brakes, GS skis in a SG, etc., the Start Referee must not refuse an athlete ’s right to start

• If protest is involved, Team Captain must notify Start Referee of intention to file a protest
• Start Referee notifies Jury and Finish Referee of protest or, if no protest is filed, of suspect equipment
• Protesting Team Captain must file written protest and pay applicable protest fee prior to Jury meeting
• Finish Referee confiscates equipment before it leaves finish area
• Third-party access to protested/suspect equipment must be avoided
• Equipment must be confiscated in front of witnesses and must be shipped (sealed) to FIS
• Losing party pays all costs

• With exception of forearm protection used in SG, GS and SL and shin protection used in SL, body protection must be worn under the suit
• This includes knee braces
• If a knee brace is worn over the suit, it must be covered with fabric, e.g. a piece of an old suit

ALL EVENTS:
• U14+ athletes must use helmets that meet FIS standards for all USSA GS,
SG and DH competitions. Competitors whose helmets are not in compliance will not be allowed to start in these events.
• Soft ear protection only allowed in Slalom
• Helmets with spoilers or edges that protrude are not allowed (does not apply to Slalom headgear)
• USSA & FIS do not allow use of helmet-mounted cameras*
USSA : Athletes with personalized helmets; e.g. bling, stickers, camera mounts, etc., are allowed to start.
FIS : NO CAMERAS / NO CAMERA MOUNTS

• Back protectors are not mandatory. If used:
• The back protector must adapt to the anatomical bend of the athlete’s spine and lie flat against the body.
• The top edge of the back protector must be situated in the area of the spinal column and may not go above the 7th cervical vertebrae (C7).
• The maximum thickness must be in the middle part and may not exceed 45 mm; the thickness reduces at the edges of the back protector.
• Designs with the view to improve aerodynamic properties are forbidden.
• The back protector, as with knee braces, etc.
* , must be worn underneath the competition suit. If a knee brace must be worn over the competition suit, it must be covered, e.g. with a piece of an old suit.
*Exception forearm protection used in SG, GS and SL and shin protection used in SL

USSA/FIS 614.1.5

USSA/FIS 705.5
“Start Stop” is called via radio by Jury Member, Eyes of the Jury (a coach positioned at a yellow flag zone) or Jury Advisor when it is necessary to control the departure of the next racer – usually because the preceding racer has fallen and the racer or racer’s equipment is blocking the course. “Start Stop” commands are applicable at all levels of events.
•
On command, Start Referee closes start
•
Start Referee states, in concise manner via Jury radio:
Bib # of last competitor started
Bib # of competitor held at start
Example: “
START STOP confirmed, number 24 on course, number 25 at the start”
Extra verbiage discouraged; Jury channel must be kept open!

In order to control the departure of the next racer and stop the competitor(s) already on course – again because the preceding racer has fallen and the course may be blocked, Jury Member calling
“START STOP” is responsible for calling:
“START STOP, YELLOW FLAG STOP!”
On command, Start Referee immediately closes the start and states, in a concise manner via Jury radio:
• Bib # of last competitor started
• Bib # of competitor held at start

• Ski Patrol assigned to the event and in radio contact with the Jury, is now on alert that medical assistance may be required.
• If the Jury Member calls for medical assistance, Ski Patrol assigned to the event first verifies that the course is clear, i.e.: no racer is on course ,
• Once Ski Patrol assigned to the event has verified that it has a clear course, it responds to the call for medical assistance.
SKI PATROL ASSIGNED TO THE EVENT ARE THE FIRST RESPONDERS -
NOT COACHES / TRAINERS / OFFICIALS / PARENTS / other ATHLETES!

•
The individual (Jury member, eyes of the Jury or Jury Advisor) who called the
“START STOP” or “START STOP, YELLOW FLAG STOP” is responsible for releasing the course hold.
• The course is reopened at the direction of the Jury: either from top to bottom, bottom to top or from the position where the incident requiring the “START
STOP” occurred.
• The Technical Delegate is responsible for confirming that all Jury members, Jury
Advisors, and Eyes of the Jury have reviewed and are aware of “start stop” and
“start stop/yellow flag stop” procedures.

• The following protocol is intended for review and use as a working document to be enhanced and revised in an effort to promote the clearest, most expedited communication for races.
• The TD should communicate with the Organizing Committee (OC) on who is “leading” calls, or if they want the TD to lead.
• It is important that the Technical Delegate confer with the Chief of
Race and respect area-specific race crew radio protocol; e.g.
“Copy”, “Acknowledged” or “Confirmed”.
• ANY Jury member, Eyes of the Jury or Jury Advisor MAY call a
“Start, Stop” when necessary to address critical situations.

All activity contained in one section of the course in view of the Jury member/Eyes of the Jury/Jury Advisor.
• Jury Member – “Start Stop! Start Stop!”
• Start Referee – “Start is stopped. Racer 32 on course, holding 33 in the gate.”
• Jury Member – Identifies the issue for the stop (Example: “Racer 31 lost his ski pole in the track of the Roundhouse Turn . Course crew has retrieved it.”)
• Jury Member – “(Location) is clear. Resume Start. ”
• Start Referee – “Start is clear, resuming with racer 33 on next interval.”

Activity at more than one section of the course.
• Jury Member – “Start Stop! Start Stop !”
• Start Referee –“Start is stopped. Racer 10 on course, holding 6 in the gate.”
• Jury Member – “Athlete lost a ski and went into the net in the Roundhouse
Turn . We will need course repair including (# needed) B-net poles after racer 10 passes. ”
• Jury Member – “Repair is complete. (Location) is clear. Resume start.”
• Start Referee – “Confirm (location) is clear. Please clear from the finish up.
Timing?” (Each Jury Member or Jury Advisor clears their section moving up the hill).
• Start Referee – “Start is clear, resuming with racer 6 on next interval.”

• Yellow Flag Jury Member – “Start Stop, Start Stop , Yellow Flag!”
• Start Referee – “Start is stopped. Racer 56 on course, holding 57. Yellow flag 56!”
•
Yellow Flag Jury Member
– “Yellow flag out, 56 is stopped and will return for a rerun.”
– If medical is required – “Medical required at (location).”
– Start Referee – “Medical notified; in route to (location).”
– Yellow Flag Jury Member – (After athlete is transported and repairs are complete) “Athlete being transported. Repair is complete. (Location) is clear. Resume start.”
– Start Referee – “Confirm (location) is clear. Finish (or nearest exit location) please notify when medical exits the course.”
– Finish Referee (or nearest exit location) – “Medical is clear.”
• Start Referee – “Confirm course is clear. Please clear from the finish up. Timing?” (Each Jury member or Jury Advisor clears their section moving up the hill).
• Start Referee – “Start is clear, resuming with racer 57 on next interval.”

Course Maintenance
Most course maintenance issues do not require a start/stop. An exception is if a broken gate or other material pose an inherent safety risk to competitors on the course. Otherwise experienced race crew members can operate within the start interval.
When it is necessary to have a hold for an extended period of time for course maintenance, the Chief of Course or another Jury member can inform the Start Referee to interrupt the race to complete the task. On fixed interval events it is common to indicate the requested amount of time in terms of number of intervals “We will need a 4 interval hold for maintenance.”

Timing Hold:
Timing hold information is passed along to the Jury and others by the
Start Referee by radio to Jury positions along the course and voice communication to those in the start area. ANY Jury member or Jury Advisor CAN call a Start, Stop when necessary to address safety or critical situations.
Start Interval:
The designated start interval for “fixed interval” events GS/SG/DH is the time planned between racers. The start interval duration should be listed on the program for FIS races as it is critical for course workers and officials to know when it is clear to work or communicate between racers. Changes to the start interval MUST be communicated over the jury channel by the Start Referee or Timing.
Finish Interval: A finish interval is a decision to start one racer after the completion of the run by the previous racer. The use of a finish interval, though not required, for the last few remaining athletes on the start list may help eliminate unnecessary delays by minimizing the interference of an athlete due to occurring issues on course prior to their start.

DOWNHILL, SUPER G, GIANT SLALOM
• If a competitor misses a gate, he must no longer continue through further gates USA/FIS 614.2.2
• If a competitor comes to a complete stop (e.g. after a fall), he must no longer continue through previous or further gates. USA/FIS 614.2.3
• These rules are valid in all FIS and USSA-scored events with a fixed start interval (DH, SG, GS).

• A competitor may hike to complete passage of a missed gate in
Slalom:
as long as the competitor does not interfere with the run of the following competitor or
has not been passed.
A competitor who has been passed may not continue on course!

• In non-scored events, competitors who do not start (DNS), do not finish
(DNF) or who are disqualified (DSQ) in their first run should be allowed to take their second run at the end of the field.
U621.11.3.2
• In non-scored events where each run counts individually, these competitors start the second run in their original start position.
• In scored non-FIS events, competitors who do not finish (DNF) or who are disqualified (DSQ) in their first run should be allowed to take their second run at the end of the field with their original bib and in their original bib order . U621.11.3.1
• In FIS events, competitors who are disqualified (DSQ), did not start
(DNS), or did not finish (DNF) their first run are prohibited from taking a second run. U627.7**
**Exception: In Alpine Combined (AC), when technical event (SL) precedes the speed event (DH or SG), rule does not apply.

USSA/FIS 601.3.3
USSA/FIS 623
USSA/FIS 601.3.3, 613.7
USSA/FIS 223.3.3
USSA/FIS 601.3.3

USSA/FIS 611.2.1.1, 613
Delayed Start: Not present when called to start – sanction which could include DSQ!
USSA/FIS 613.6
Valid/False Start: In the Gate; DNS within allowed time disqualified
USSA/FIS 613.7

• In fixed interval events, course workers know they have a set timeframe between competitors
• If a competitor leaves the start early or late, this timeframe becomes compromised
• A compromised timeframe = a possible hazard!

Fixed Interval Events (GS, SG, DH):
10 seconds before the start, the starter will tell each competitor
“10 Seconds”
5 seconds before the start, he should count
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1” and then gives the start command
“GO”
Non-Fixed Interval Event (SL):
As soon as the starter has received the order for the next start, he gives the competitor the warning
“Ready” or “Racer Ready”
A few seconds later, the starter gives the start command
“GO”

USSA/FIS 601.3.4
USSA/FIS 615
USSA/FIS 601.3.4
USSA/FIS 611.1, 601.4.8
USSA/FIS 615.3
USSA/FIS 615.4
USSA/FIS 611.2.1, 615.1.4
Finish Referee assumes the duties of the Finish Controller if one is not appointed.

ICR 611.3.1 states that in case of a fall at the finish where competitor does not come to a full stop,
• the time can be taken without both of the competitor’s feet having crossed the finish line
• for the registered time to become valid, the competitor must immediately cross the finish line with or without skis
ICR 615.3
states Finish line must be crossed:
• on both skis, or
• on one ski, or
• with both feet in case of a fall between the last gate and the finish line. In this case, the time is taken when any part of the competitor’s body stops the timekeeping system.
ACR U628.1.5, U629.4
state that a binding release more than 2 gates above the
Finish line in SL, GS or SG or more than 1 gate above the Finish line in DH shall be considered as a clear DSQ.

If a competitor loses a ski without having committed a gate fault or without coming to a complete stop, he may continue, as long as he:
- does not interfere with the run of the next competitor or,
- has not been passed by the next competitor.
Also see details in ICR Art. 615.3, 661.4.1, 804.3, 904.3.

Four hairpins but not a flush in sight.
USSA/FIS 803.2
Seed points of top 8 significantly lower than rest of the field.
What can the Jury do?
USSA/FIS 621.3
Jury can’t find an applicable rule. What should the jury do?
USSA/FIS 601.4.7
A coach reports that ski stack height is too high.
What can the Jury do?
USSA/FIS 641.1, 644

USSA/FIS 621.11.3
USSA/FIS 621.11.2
Pl Bib
1 3
2 4
3 15
4 10
5 11
6 1
7 2
8 17
9 5
10 6
11 9
12 7
13 8
14 30
15T 25
15T19
St Bib
1 19
2 25
3 30
4 8
5 7
6 9
7 6
8 5
9 17
10 2
11 1
12 11
13 10
14 15
15 4
16 3

1.
Rank all first-run competitors in time order fastest to slowest)
2.
Remove DSQ competitors from the field unless being given a provisional second run
3.
Break all ties, regardless of where they occur, by ranking the tied competitor(s) with the higher bib number(s) before the tied competitor(s) with the lower bib number(s)
4.
Verify the number of competitors that are to be reversed (bibbo)
5.
Check for a tie at the reversal position
6.
If a tie has occurred at the reversal position – 30 or 15, include those ties in the reversal number.
7.
Reverse correct number of competitors including ties, if applicable
This will result in the lower bib number starting first and the racer with the fastest first run time starting 31/16 (with a 3-way tie at the reversal position, the racer with the fastest first run time would start 32/17, etc.
When ties occur elsewhere in the field other than in reversed group, tied racer(s) with higher bib number(s) will start prior to tied racer(s) with lower bib number(s).

DH USSA/FIS 701 GS USSA/FIS 901.2.4*
SL USSA/FIS U801.2.4, 801.2.4* SG USSA/FIS U1001.3.4, 1001.3.4*
*Minimum = direction changes for both FIS and USSA
FIS SL and SG gate count calculations are different than USSA’s
USSA/FIS 622.2.3
USSA/FIS 613.6, 623.3

USSA/FIS 705.5
USSA/FIS 611.2.2
USSA U706.2.2; U801.1.3, U801.1.4; U901.1.3, U901.1.4; U1001.1.3 & USSA Application
Vertical Drop, Minimum Time and Minimum Penalties
FIS
– If exception not granted by FIS, vertical drop requirements must be met or race will be reviewed and scored as ENL category not FIS category!

• A racer commits a gate fault
• His racing speed carries him over Finish Line
• The racer hikes back over the line and completes passage of the missed gate
WHEN WAS HIS TIME TAKEN?
USSA/FIS 611.3.1
WHAT IS HIS STATUS?
USSA/FIS 661.4, U629.4

• It has been determined that bibs were switched for two racers.
• What should the Jury consider prior to arriving at a decision?
• Is there a rule that should be considered?
• What is their status?

•What should the Jury consider prior to arriving at a decision?
USSA/FIS 223.3.3
A competitor shall only be disqualified if his mistake would result in an advantage for him with regard to the end result, unless the Rules state otherwise in an individual case. i.e. gate fault, early/late start.
•If no advantage has been gained, what is their status?

-

A course worker steps out in front of a racer. What must the racer do?
• Stop immediately
• Report interference to nearest Gate Judge or Jury member
• Racer or coach must request a rerun
• Ski down the side of the course to the Finish
•
Only a Jury member can grant a provisional rerun
• Rerun is “provisional” until ratified by the Jury

The Start Referee believes an athlete is competing on equipment
– skis/boots/bindings that do not conform to the rules.
Can the on-site Jury verify the validity of the equipment?
A Team Captain files a protest against a competitor’s equipment.
How must the Jury handle this situation?
What must be done with the suspect equipment?
Who covers the costs?
Can this process be undertaken after the competitor equipment leaves the race arena?
Answers are not provided in the hopes that group discussion will result in a better understanding of how to handle this type of situation!

A competitor arrives at the start with a camera attached to his helmet.
• What must the Start Referee do?
• What must the Start Referee do if the camera is attached to the skis?
• What must the Start Referee do If the camera is worn on a chest pack?
• What must the Start Referee do if a helmet only has camera mounts?
Answers are not provided in the hopes that group discussion will result in a better understanding of how to handle this type of situation!

This is only a partial review, additional items contained in:
2015-2016
“REVIEW & UPDATE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION – ALPINE”

USSA CONCUSSION POLICY:
USSA’s Concussion Policy includes any USSA athlete, not just minor athletes – includes General and Short Term memberships.
TEAM CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS: An actual meeting, attended in person by Team
Captains, Jury, and race officials is an inseparable and mandatory part of the competition and is important for communication of Jury instructions, support of the
Organizing Committee (OC), as well as conveying OC requests and information. It is also a critical element for risk management and liability-related matters.
JURY INSPECTION: Jury must inspect course set and final installation of on-hill competitor security measures for all USSA-sanctioned events and confirm the daily
Program (schedule); Team Captains are encouraged to attend inspection.
Necessary changes to course set and on-hill competitor security measures are the responsibility of the Jury.

GATE PANELS: All USSA Giant Slalom, Super G and Downhill (including Masters
Competitions) must use gate panels that conform to the current FIS specifications.
FLEX POLES:
• All USSA FIS and USSA scored events must use FIS homologated flex poles.
•
All poles on a course must be of uniform height and diameter.
•
For USSA scored Slalom events, women should use FIS type B poles and men can use
FIS type A or FIS type B (FIS type B recommended) poles
• For U16 Slalom event, poles must be full length, 180 cm; women should use FIS type B poles and men can use FIS type A or FIS type B (FIS type B recommended) poles.
•
For
U14 and younger Slalom races, poles must be FIS type B and 60” off the snow surface. This applies to events that are exclusive to U14 and younger; it is not applicable to mixed age races which include athletes U14 and older. Stubby poles for U14 & under competitions will be allowed.
•
In Giant Slalom, Super G and Downhill, poles should be full height for all age groups and genders. U14 and younger should use FIS type B poles.
• FIS type B poles are 25-28.9 mm in diameter and FIS type A poles are 29-32 mm in diameter.

TRAVEL LETTERS: Only National Ski Associations are entitled to make entries for international competitions. If a National Ski
Association issues an entry authorization (travel) letter, USSA allows non-USSA athletes training with USSA clubs or attending USA schools/colleges/universities to be entered by their coaches.
• Every non-USA athlete’s authorization letter must be submitted to alpinedomestic@ussa.org; it must also be sent to the Regional
Manager for the Region where the athlete is training.
• Letters must be submitted directly by the respective National Ski
Association; will not be accepted if forwarded by coach or athlete.
• Authorization letters will only be recognized for FIS category and below. Entries for Nor-Am Cup and National Championships must be submitted directly by the respective National Ski Associations.

COMPETITION EQUIPMENT: Equipment is the responsibility of the athlete and in the case of a minor, their parents or guardians. Equipment must be maintained and utilized in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
HELMETS: All competitors and forerunners must wear a helmet for Giant Slalom, Super G,
Downhill and Downhill Training and Alpine Combined that meets current equipment specifications. [ 606.4, 707, 807, 907, 1007, and additional USSA and FIS regulations.
]
• Athletes U14 and older must use helmets that meet the new FIS standards for all USSA
Giant Slalom, Super G and Downhill competitions.
•
U14 and older competitors whose helmets are not in compliance will not be allowed to start.
Regulations for helmets for Giant Slalom, Super G and Downhill are applicable without exception at all levels of FIS competition [2.3.3]

HELMET-MOUNTED CAMERAS:
• Helmet-mounted cameras are not approved for use at USSA non-
FIS events. Athletes who have personalized their helmets, e.g. camera mounts, bling, stickers, etc., are allowed to start.
• Competitors and forerunners at FIS alpine events are prohibited from using cameras; camera mounts are also prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to properly credentialed FIS media, e.g.
POV runners
COMPETITORS’ PROTECTIVE MEASURES: With the exception of forearm protection used in Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom and shin protection used in Slalom, body protection must be worn under the suit.
This includes knee braces; however, a leg brace may be worn over the suit if it is then covered with a piece of an old suit.

VALID AND FALSE STARTS [ 613.7, 805.4
] AND DELAYED STARTS
[ 613.6, 805.3.1
]
• Early/late start violation occurs when a competitor is in the start gate and does not start within the required period with respect to the start command –
“GO”!
• Course workers and officials must have a reasonable expectation of when a competitor may be approaching their position. Competitors who either start early or late can minimize this expectation and potentially create an unsecure environment. For these reasons, early/late start violations require
DSQ.
• A “delayed” competitor is one who is not present in the start area or who is not ready to step into the start gate when called. In cases where a provisional start is allowed by the Start Referee ( force majeure) or the Jury
(doubt), delayed starts require SANCTION which may or may not include
DSQ.

KOMBI RULES:
• Youth Kombi events must be set using appropriately homologated hills.
Slalom/Giant Slalom format (technical orientation) using a hill homologated for Giant Slalom and Giant Slalom/Super G format (speed orientation) using a hill homologated for Super G.
• Athletes must use the helmet that meets the standards for the faster of the two events being contested.
SECOND RUN - USSA SCORED EVENT: If the OC and Jury allow it, competitors in Slalom and Giant Slalom events who are shown as DNF or DSQ in the first run can start in the second run with their original bib and in their original bib order after the last qualified competitor. Announcement of this procedure should be given no later than the Team Captains’ Meeting.
[U621.11.3.2] In cases of force majeure, the Jury may terminate a competition prior to DNF/DSQ second-run starts.

USSA MEMBERSHIP and COMPETITOR CLASSIFICATION CHANGES:
• USSA’s membership registration/renewal is only available online.
• USSA Club Participant has been changed to USSA General Member.
USSA
General Members are eligible to forerun but not to compete in sanctioned events.
• USSA competitor memberships are available for classes U10-, U12, U14,
U16+, and Masters 18+.
• U10- category: U10 (ages 8 & 9) and U8 (ages 7 & younger.
• U16+ category: U19 (ages 16, 17 & 18); U21 (ages 19 & 20); Senior (ages
21+).
• A new per-day (Short Term Youth, Athlete or Masters) membership category is available.

DUAL PARALLEL EVENTS can be staged using either Giant Slalom or Slalom format. Two or more competitors race simultaneously side by side down two or more courses with the winners advancing into
“brackets” and elimination-type finals.
• USSA has adopted “U” rules for dual parallel events; with the exception of those “U” rules, ICR rules apply.
• In addition to the “U” rules, it is also recommended that a suggested format be included to give organizers and athletes a general idea of how the event should be run.
PARALLEL EVENTS can be staged using either Giant Slalom or
Slalom. Winners of each run do not advance into “brackets” or elimination-type finals. Overall winner is decided either by fastest time on course (1-run format) or fastest combined time (2-run format).

USSA EQUIPMENT MATRIX is available on the USSA website.
USSA COURSE SETTING MATRIX is available on the USSA website.
HOMOLOGATION FILES are available on the USSA website. Login is required:
User ID = homologation; Password = Allout2018!
http://media.ussa.org/Public/Athletics/CompServices/Homologation.

ENTRIES AND DRAW: The organizer must determine the final date of entry between 48 hours and 24 hours before the first Team Captains’
Meeting. A Team Captain may only make substitutions before the draw.
[604.4.1, 604.4.2]
COMPETITION SUITS: For Downhill, Giant Slalom and Super G upper-level competitions (OWG, WSC, WC, COC, WJSC), competition suits must have either a plomb or a label attesting conformity with FIS specifications. [606.2.1] Only new suits will have labels; suits that only have plombs are acceptable.

HELMET ALTERATIONS/MODIFICATION: The helmets shall be used without alteration/modification, as certified by the manufacturer.
Furthermore, no additional element/equipment shall be affixed on the surface of the helmet. [6.2.4, FIS Specifications for Competition
Equipment] This does not apply to National Association or sponsor stickers.
DOUBLE ENTRIES: If a competitor has started a competition, he cannot appear as DNS 1 in another competition on the same day, except for Downhill Training. If a competitor is entered into and drawn for Downhill Training and subsequently leaves this competition in order to participate in another Downhill competition, he will not be permitted
to return to the first Downhill competition. [621.12]

NOT PERMITTED TO START - NPS: A competitor will not be permitted to start (NPS) in any FIS competition who violates the FIS rules in regard to the FIS Specifications for Competition Equipment (missing ski brakes, missing ski pole baskets, etc.), and Commercial Markings or who does not wear a crash helmet that conforms to the FIS Specifications for
Competition Equipment. [627, 627.2, 627.6]
SINGLE POLE SLALOM – FIS EVENTS: Single Pole Slalom is permitted in all international FIS competitions. With the exception for single pole, all
Slalom rules of the ICR are valid. [804, 804.1]
PARALLEL COURSES: The distance between two corresponding gates
(from turning pole to turning pole) should be no less than 6 meters. [1225]
FIS COURSE SPECIFICATIONS: Refer to current edition of FIS ICR.