DO I HAVE TO ENTER MY RACER IN THE AWAY AND HOME RACES?
Parents and athletes choose which races to participate in. Racers are encouraged but not required to participate in races. Each athlete is different and the number of races versus training days should be set based on the athlete’s desire and experience. Talk with your athlete’s coach if you are uncertain which races to register for. Older athletes go through a goal setting session with their head coach prior to the start of the season to determine which races they will participate in. Parents need to register their racers for EACH individual race. To register for a race, you must complete the race entry and special release forms required by the host team, and submit the race fees and bib deposits (if applicable). Note that some races require paper forms. Race fees are not covered by tuition. Race entries can be located on the host team website or through the PNSA or US Ski and Snowboard website. SPAC handles entries for all FIS races (this applies to U19/U21 racers only).
WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED AWAY RACES?
Recommended away races for Mighty Mites and Juniors are designated at the beginning of the season by the Program Director and coaching staff. The race schedule may change if weather or other conditions necessitate, but generally, the Mighty Mites will travel to two or three races at other ski areas. Junior races are more athlete specific and are established in meetings with the Program Director, the athlete and the athlete’s parents before the season begins.
IF MY RACER IS SIGNED UP FOR 1 DAY OF THE SHORT SEASON PROGRAM, CAN THEY RACE ON BOTH DAYS FOR A RACE?
Yes, your racer can race both days of any race even if they are signed up for 1 Day / short season program. Note that U12 athletes must be registered for the full-season program to participate in the U12 Championships, but can upgrade for an additional fee at any time.
HOW DO USSA AND FIS POINTS WORK?
US Ski And Snowboard points begin application to an athlete as early as the 1st year of U14’s, and FIS points begin being earned starting the 1st year of U19’s. US Ski And Snowboard points and FIS points both begin at 990. US Ski And Snowboard points can only be obtained in races held in the US and sanctioned as US Ski And Snowboard races. FIS points also start at 990 and can be obtained at any FIS race in any country that is a member of FIS and eligible to host an FIS race. A racer can earn both FIS and US Ski And Snowboard points if they are racing in an FIS race that is being held in the U.S., but only FIS points are available for races outside of the U.S.
DO I NEED A FIS LICENCE TO BE IN SPAC?
FIS license is only required for U19/U21 athletes competing in FIS level races. The FIS license can be purchased at the same time as the US Ski And Snowboard license as US Ski And Snowboard has worked out an arrangement with FIS to simplify the process for the athletes.
DO I NEED A US SKI AND SNOWBOARD LICENSE TO BE IN SPAC?
A US Ski And Snowboard license is not required to be a member of SPAC at the Mighty Mite level, but a US Ski And Snowboard license is required if an athlete intends to race in a US Ski And Snowboard race, such as the Buddy Werner Championships or the Bantum Cup at White Pass. US Ski And Snowboard licenses are good for one year and the rate for the license is higher for Junior racers than it is for Mighty Mites. All Juniors must have a US Ski And Snowboard license if they intend to race in any junior US Ski And Snowboard races.
WHEN DO WE HAVE A RACE SCHEDULE FOR THE COMING SEASON?
For Mighty Mite racers, the race schedule is the same year to year and includes: Wild Katz (February), Buddy Werner U12 Championship (March) and Steve Madison Small Fry/Easter Race (March or April). Based on the training schedule, other races may include Apple Cup at Mission Ridge (January), Wolf Chase at Loup Loup (February) and Bantam Cup at White Pass (March). For Junior racers, the schedule is a bit more complicated as the racing schedule is customized to each individual racer. For U16 Racers, it involves mostly US Ski And Snowboard races in the PNSA division.
For U19/U21 racers, the schedule may include FIS races in the division as well as outside the Region and in Canada. The U19/U21 schedule really varies based on each individual racers goals and performance, since some races also require a bid process to determine if the racer may compete in a particular race. For all NON-FIS races, the individual racer is expected to handle their race entry paperwork and fees. For FIS races, the registration and payment is done by SPAC and then billed back to the racer.
WHAT IS THE BUDDY WERNER U12 CHAMPIONSHIPS?
The PNSA Buddy Werner Championships is an age-class YSL championship event (U12 only) that recognizes individual performance and team achievement. It is meant to be an exciting and fun event to help U12s transition to U14 racing.
The event is three consecutive days held during the month of March. One day will be Skills Quest, one day Slalom and the other day Giant Slalom.
All U12 athletes, who are a member of a PNSA club or team, and have participated in local events as a member of that club or team, are eligible to compete in the BWC.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT RACES MY ATHLETE SHOULD ATTEND?
For Mighty Mite racers, the schedule is pretty straight forward and published at the beginning of the season as to which races SPAC will support with coaches during the season. Mighty Mite parents are responsible for registering their athletes for MM races. For Junior racers, it is a more customized approach and depends on the level of the junior racer (U21, U18, U16), and whether or not they are on the development track or the elite track.
The program director meets with Junior racers in the Fall to determine their own particular anticipated training schedule. Junior parents are responsible for registering racers for non-FIS events, but SPAC’s program director handles registration for FIS events.
