Suggestions to improve racer starts/membership – Discussion Outline

Category 2: Changes or return to previous procedures – current races, conditions

Issue:  The younger men’s classes often suffer from courses that aren’t well-maintained.  On some days ruts develop very early on, and get worse and worse.  Other racers don’t seem to go back up to slip the course for others, as they once did.

Background: This looked to happen at the last GS at MMSA, but a 15 minute course hold was announced after the 50 men so that all racers could slip the course and smooth it out.

Benefits: This may help to encourage younger men to race, or to start racing.  Club racers may look at attending, rather than being discouraged by rutted courses.  Ski area race departments may support this, especially if it helps them with course maintenance.

Barriers: Ski area race departments may be reluctant to institute this, as it slows down the race day.

Possible solutions: 

1.  Check with race departments to see what they think of the idea  (WHO?)

2.  Try it out as a “pilot suggestion” with willing race departments in 2006/7 

3.  Reinstitute custom of all racers slipping for later starters.

Discussion/Recommendation:  Insititute now?  More information needed?  Who?

Which of these can be instituted easily?

What other information is needed? 

Who to take lead getting information or making contacts, if lead person is needed?