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2003-2004 RACE SCHEDULE

This calendar is subject to change!!!!

Updated September 22, 2003

ALL CLUB ATHLETES MUST JOIN VARA AND USSA

Forms can be found in the Training Center office or on line at www.vara.org and www.ussa.org.

SKI CLUB COMMITTEES/JR. RACE COMMITTEES

The goal of this committee is to provide input and feedback to the coaches throughout the year, assist the coaches during racing and training, and to organize and help with special events. This is a great way for parents to learn more about junior ski racing in Vermont and to play a larger role in the Club. The group will meet once a month at the Training Center during the weekend program. Among the activities this group will be involved in are;

• Assisting the coaches during the first hour of training - as kids arrive.
• Assisting the coaches with course setup and tear-down
• Video and record times during training/racing
• Organizing/assisting during fun events like treasure hunts, team events
• Assisting the race secretary during GMVS races
• Assisting coaches during away race days - athlete sign-up, etc.

Providing information to the coaching staff; liaison between kids/staff.

There are no prerequisites to be on this committee. We will educate as we go. The only thing necessary is a love of the sport and a willingness to be involved in this great program. If you would like to be part of this committee please call the head coach of the specific program: J2's: Mike Duran - 496-6145, J3's Adam Julius - 496-4309, J4's Dylan Snell , J5/6's Tracy Julius - 496-4309.

SKI RACING ASSOCIATIONS

VARA – Vermont Alpine Racing Association

VARA is a state level organization that promotes and supervises alpine ski racing in Vermont. VARA is the most successful state racing organization in the US. Vermont has a long tradition of producing National Team members, NCAA Champions, National Champions, World Champions and Olympic Champions. It is no secret that Vermont remains the strongest ski racing state in the country. Vermont skiers have and will continue to dominate at all levels of domestic and world ski racing. To be Vermont trained and to have you competitive skills developed in Vermont prepares a young racer to compete with the best racers in the world.

VARA Goals:

• To have ski racing recognized as Vermont’s #1 sport.
• To develop and promote ski racing as a healthy and constructive experience for as many Vermonters as possible.
• To provide leadership and information to ski clubs in Vermont.
• To produce as many National Team members as possible.
• To produce World Cup winners.

VARA Competitions

At the younger program levels (ages 7-14), the state is divided into three racing Councils which are organized geographically; Northern Vermont, Mid Vermont, and Southern Vermont. These Councils are organized this way to minimize travel and expenses for younger racers. Our Ski Club is part of the Northern Vermont Council. The other NVC members are Bolton, MMSC (Stowe), Jay Peak, Smuggler’s, Burke, Cochran’s and Mad River Glen.

NVC races are held during the months of January and February. The races are held at the Ski Clubs mentioned above and require primarily day travel by participating racers. Qualification for the VARA State Championships is based on performance at these races.

VARA holds a State Championship each year at the J4, J3, J2 and J1 program levels. An overall state champion is crowned (except at the J4 level), as well as in each discipline contested. Qualifications and specific events vary from level to level and will be discussed in the individual program sections. For levels with Junior Olympics (J3 & J1/J2), performance at the State Championships is the primary qualification method.

USSA – United States Ski & Snowboard Association Eastern Region

The alpine competition programs of the USSA Eastern region are conducted under the rules, programs, and procedures of USSA. The Eastern Region consists of seven state organizations; Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tri-State (MA, CT, RI). The Eastern Region sets quotas and conducts the Junior Olympics. The Region also conducts camps, races, and developmental programs for young racers and coaches.

National

USSA is the umbrella group responsible for the organization and coordination of competitive skiing in the United States. It is this organization that provides the infrastructure for the training, development, and identification of talent for the US Ski Team.

It is USSA’s objective to enhance this effort through strong “grass-roots” programs at the local, state and regional levels. Involving a broad base of young athletes in the joy and excitement of skiing and ski racing is essential to the ultimate goal of fielding a strong and competitive National team.

In order to develop skiers of the quality needed to compete nationally and internationally we must have qualified coaches, adequate on-snow training, and competitive, well-run races at every level. This is our goal at the Sugarbush/GMVS Ski Club.

ORGANIZATIONAL VIEW OF SKI RACING IN THE US

• USSA (Olympic/National Teams, ranking, points)
• USSA Eastern Region (Junior Olympics, Regional Camps)
• VARA (Council races, State Championships)
• Sugarbush/GMVS Ski Club (junior programs, training, intra-Club races)

DIRECTIONS TO NORTHERN VT COUNCIL RACE SITES:

All directions are from the Mad River Valley

Stowe/MMSC: Follow Rt. 100 North from Waterbury VT. Take a left on to Moscow Rd. go about _ mile take a right onto Barrows Rd go _ of a mile take a right onto Luce Hill Rd which meets Rt. 108 ( MT RD.)take a left onto RT 108 for about 2 _ miles follow signs to Spruce peak.

Smugglers Notch Ski Area: Follow Rt. 89 north to Exit 11 off the ramp take a right onto River Rd gp about 2 miles take a left onto Barber Farm RD. Go about 2 _ miles take Barber Trace RD. to RT 15 take a right onto RT 15 go about 8 miles take a right into Jeffersonville take RT 108 to the Smugglers Ski Area.

Jay Peak Ski Area: Take RT 100 north go for about 50 miles

In Troy take RT 101 north take a left onto RT 242 follow signs to Jay Peak Ski Resort.

Cochrans Ski Area: Take RT 89 north to Richmond exit #11 Take a left onto RT 2 Take a right onto Bridge ST in Richmond then take a left onto Cochrans Rd go about _ mile Cochrans ski Area on the Right.

Mad River: RT 100 to RT 17 Mad River on the left.

Burke: RT. 100 North get on RT. 89 South at Exit 9 get off RT 89 at Exit 8 follow signs to RT 2 East, stay on RT 2 east until you reach RT 91 take RT 91 North to exit 23 take a right off the exit onto RT 5 take RT 5 then take a right onto RT 114 then follow signs to Burke MT Ski Area, Drive all the way to the end of the road past the Burke Mt Academy to race site.

Green Mountain Valley School, Waitsfield, VT 05673 | © 2003