J V – ages 10 and below
J V racers compete at Gore in five “World Cup” races. No race fees are needed for our “World Cup” races. Ribbons are presented to all finishers and trophies are given at the awards banquet at the end of the year for all participants. J Vs focus more on basic skills than on gates and do not need any special padded equipment. As with all our racers, NYSEF requires using a helmet at all times including free skiing.
Each race has two runs, both timed. Seeding (order of race start) is done by random draw of bibs with the order reversed for the second run. Racers who fall (DNF-Did Not Finish) or disqualify (DSQ) are still permitted the second run. Scoring for the individual JV races during the season is to combine the times of both runs. This is consistent with the methods used by the J IV level and above. Final standings are calculated similarly to the J IVs where finish rank is tabulated separately for each run as though it were its own race. The last race of the season, noted as “finals” on the schedule, is a family fun race where parents race children in a dual-slalom format. (Coaches have been known to favor the children in the race timing.)
Informally the Kandahar serves as the State Championship for the J Vs. It is a popular race and can be “overbooked”. Do not assume that just because you sent a voucher that you can participate – check with the mountain! Other opportunities for J Vs to get experience with larger races is the Hovey Memorial at Whiteface. If you have any question about entering your child you should consult with the coaches. High finishers at the Kandahar are selected to the Gunstock race in NH which is a regional race with top finishers from other states.
Parents are encouraged to register their children with NYSSRA and USSA for liability reasons. There are benefits too. All “Open” races (such as the Hovey, Royal Mtn. or Kandahar ) require these memberships and each year the number of skiers that will be selected for the State championships will be determined by the number of registered NYSSRA members from the prior year. Once a member, you will get a reminder every year for a renewal along with various publications. No vouchers are needed to race at Gore but are required for the Hovey , Royal, and Kandahar events.
J IV – Ages 11 and 12
Starting at the JIV level, mountains in NY are divided into six councils. We are in the Mountain Council along with Whiteface, Royal, Saranac Lake (Mt. Pisgah), West and Willard. The races at this level are entirely within the Mountain Council. Racers must have current NYSSRA and USSA Youth Ski League memberships to race. Helmets are required.
Racers at the J IV level compete in (2) Slalom, (3) GS and optional this year there are (2) optional “Super G” camps. New this year, Slalom races will be contested with tall pole gates, not stubbies. All races are tougher than those at the J V level – being longer and more demanding of skill and strength. The Mountain Council consists of Gore, Whiteface, Royal, West Mountain, Pisgah and Willard.
Race registration is by NYSSRA voucher with race entry fee received by the Monday preceding each event. No telephone entries are accepted. Race registration is by NYSSRA voucher only and must be sent with the race entry fee to the host mountain race secretary by the Monday preceding the event. Day of race entries is subject to a $5 late fee. Late entries are seeded last for both runs. Seeding for the field is by random draw with boys and girls combined and reversed for the second run.
Each racer will get a Council T-shirt. Racers selected to the State Team will be presented a hat at the completion of the qualifying event.
Selection for the State Team is based as follows: each run is counted separately with the best 5 runs of 10 possible runs being added together for final placement. No other runs are counted unless there is a tie. The number of racers selected to the State Team from our Council varies from year to year and is related to the enrollment size of the Council. See the NYSSRA manual for quotas.
Racers selected to the State Championship are not eligible to participate in the Kandahar. Racers who place well at the Kandahar are typically those who just missed making the States and are eligible to win placement on a team to go to Gunstock, NH for a regional race. This is a terrific race and well worth attending.
J III – Ages 13 and 14
All J III racers must have a USSA Licensed Competitor Membership.
The Councils are divided into Cup Series East and Cup Series West. Our Mountain Council combines with Rip Van Winkle and Adirondack Councils for the Cup Series East. There are 5 races – two are SL and two are GS with the Super-G Camp making the 5th race. All racers must participate in their regional Super-G camp in order to qualify for States. The race itself is optional. The best 2 races of the total 5 are counted for qualification. Ties will be broken by the next best race result. This means that racers who DNS , DNF or DSQ on a run will not have completed that race. High finishers of the best 2 of 5 races at the State Championships qualify for JOs (tops) or Eastern Jr. III Finals. Quotas for selection are listed in the NYSSRA manual.
J IIIs train and race single pole slalom, GS, and Super G. The J III program is regarded as a transition from “childrens racing” to adult racing and the scope of training and racing changes accordingly. J IIIs will want to acquire some protective equipment for slalom. Discuss this with coaches before purchasing.
Seeding for the Cup Series races is by random draw with boys and girls alternating running first. Seeding rules change for the GS Camp and for the State Championships. (see the NYSSRA manual.)
Vouchers are required for entries. Fees vary by mountain – see the NYSSRA manual.
J I and J II – Ages 15 to 17
No info at this time
