RACE WORKER JOBS DESCRIPTIONS
Start Referee
Requires an up to date USSA Official's license which must be shown at registration.
Morning of race:
- Dress in appropriate layers for the weather conditions and be prepared to be outside in the elements for long periods of time without a break.
- Arrives at 8:00 a.m. at registration to sign in and must show USSA card at the race registration desk
- Obtains two copies of an official starting order roster from the Race Secretary or registration desk
- Seeks a radio from the Chief of Course
- Confirms start time and meets with other start area race workers
Before each race:
- Arrives at the top of the race course approximately 20 minutes prior to the start with the two starting order rosters
During the race:
- Rounds up athletes in the order consistent with starting list
- Listens to the reasons for tardiness for any athlete who is not in place at least one minute after being called. If excuse is not valid, person is allowed to race at the end of the running order for each respective category, i.e. JV girl's etc.
- Makes sure that goggles are down and equipment is O.K.
After each race:
- Reports any issues to the Chief of Race
Finish Referee
Requires and up to date USSA Official’s license which must be shown at registration.
Morning of race:
- Dress in appropriate layers for the weather conditions and be prepared to be outside in the elements for long periods of time without a break.
- Arrives at 8:00 at registration to sign in. Must show registration workers updated USSA official's card
- Seeks a radio from the Chief of Race
- Seeks a finish referee log form from the Race Secretary
- Has necessary pencils etc.
Before each race:
- Makes sure that the finish area and competitor's exit passage are safe and clear
- Gets feedback from each forerunner of the course conditions and reports concerns to Chief of Course
During the race:
- Logs all bibs in the order that they come through the finish line. This does not correspond with the running order and should not include racers who DNF, "do not finish" or DNS, "did not start". NOTE: At times, bibs are hard to read and will require you to run down to the competitor to verify a number
- Determines and monitors if the finish area is large enough to be safe. Communicates with Chief of Course or Chief of Maintenance any maintenance requirements in the finish area.
- Communicates to Start Referee if conditions in the finish area warrant instructions to each competitor.
- Makes sure that coaches and spectators do not go through the finish line
- Requests that each competitor clears the finish area after their race for their safety
- Oversees the manual timing person and the finish recorder
- Uses radio when required to contact the Chief of Race for a rerun request or problem that requires reporting, e.g. finish fence needs to be repaired etc.
- If a finish controller is not utilized, Finish Referee must monitor appropriate finish. If one ski comes off not more than two gates before the finish line, the competitor may elect on their own to finish on one ski.
After the race:
- Brings finish log to the timing hut
- Determines the start time for the next run and communicates to the Finish Recorder and Finish Manual Timer
Course Maintenance
Position requires a proficient and strong skier who is willing and able to carry gates, drills, etc.
Morning of race:
- Dresses in appropriate attire. (Bring old leather work gloves for salting!!!) Does not overdress. It is recommended that you wear layers that you can shed once you begin the work portion of the job. Leave ski poles at home or at the base of the mountain.
- Arrives at 6:30 a.m. ready to load the Triple Chair.
- Assists with drilling holes and screws down each turning gate using the gate tool provided so that the top of the screw is plush with the snow.
- If Giant Slalom, place red and blue panels on gates.
- Marks turning gate location using chalk or die. Blue die is used in the morning and red for the afternoon course.
- Using drill, sets up safety fencing on the course as advised by the Chief of Course or Chief of Maintenance.
- After course and fence is set up, positions one drill, shovel and rake at top of course and at least one set half way down. In addition, leaves two extra gate panels of each type on top (red and blue).
During the race:
- Slips course when necessary to push accumulated snow on downhill turning side of turn, preferably traveling in groups of two or three. Noting starting time intervals, he/she asks gatekeepers to yell "course" when they see an athlete coming down.
- Repairs ruts and holes using the shovels, rakes or skis, as required. Redrills holes if necessary.
- Frequently checks in with gatekeepers to learn about condition of course and areas to maintain.
- Talks with Chief of Course to learn about 2nd course reset plan.
After first race:
- Determines if course is to be reset. If yes, using turning tool, loosens the turning gate screw at bottom of gate/pole.
Before second race:
- After new course is set, repeat appropriate steps note under "Before the Race".
After second race:
- Meets at top of course 5 minutes before last racer starts to prepare to clean off the hill.
- Pulls out gates and brings them back to race supply hut.
- Removes fences, rolls them up, and returns to race supply hut.
- Returns tools
- Checks in with Chief of Maintenance to see if any other issues need to be addressed. Do not leave until the hill is clean.
Chief Gate Judge
Requires a USSA license.
Morning of race:
- Arrives at 8:00 at registration to sign in and to pass out gatekeeper bibs, control cards, pencils, and clipboards, designates assignments of physical location for each gatekeeper and distributes start list to all gatekeepers.
- Reviews the gatekeeper job description and clothing with volunteers who are doing the job for the first time
- Verifies the attendance of the gatekeepers by looking at the sign up sheet. Determines if any gatekeepers are not skiing and assigns them to the gates at the lower part of the mountain
- Checks in with Chief of Course and helps labels the #'s on each outside pole of the course
- Informs skiing gatekeepers what time they need to meet him/her at the top of the course for review of gate assignments. (Usually 20 minutes before scheduled start)
Before each race:
- Meets gatekeepers at top of race course and assigns gates by number and description.
- Reminds gatekeepers to draw out several diagrams of their gates on the control cards in advance of the race to make faults easier to draw
- Once gatekeepers are in assigned places, returns to the top to check the numbering of the gates and location of each gatekeeper and mark the gates from start to finish.
During the race:
- Checks in with gatekeepers from time to time to make sure they do not have questions or issues to discuss.
- Establishes a system to provide temporary relief should a gatekeeper need it.
- When necessary, assists with crowd control and course maintenance
- Reminds gatekeepers that once the last racer has finished and the Start Referee has confirmed that there are no reruns, the course will be "closed" at that time.
After each race:
- Quickly skis down to where each gatekeeper is stationed to relieve them of their duties until the next run. Collects the control cards and promptly delivers them to the Referee.
Gate Judge
Every gate judge receives a check card with the following information:
- Name of the gate judge
- Number of the gate(s)
- Designation of the run (1st or 2nd)
If a racer does not pass a gate correctly the gate judge must immediately mark the following on the check card in the columns provided: bib number, gate number where the fault was made, the letter F (fault), a drawing of the fault committed
The gate judge must also watch that the competitor accepts no outside help (e.g. in the case of a fall). A fault of this nature must likewise be entered on the check card.
NOTE: Continued information from USSA Alpine Handbook to follow the "After the race" section.
Morning of race:
- Checks weather conditions and dresses appropriately, i.e. boot warmers, neck warmers, goggles, ski poles even if hiking, pad to stand on if possible
- Arrive at 8:15am to sign in at the registration table and receives bib, clipboard, control cards, etc. from Chief Gatekeeper. We suggest that you personally bring extra pencils and a zip lock bag for control cards in case of inclement weather.
- Meets Chief Gatekeeper at the designated time and place for gate assignments.
- When gates are assigned, gatekeeper should draw out several diagrams on the control cards in advance of the race to simplify the drawing in the event of an actual fault during the event
During the race:
- Watch to see that each racers correctly passes through your assigned gates.
- If a ski comes off more than 2 gates above the finish line in Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G or more than one gate above the finish in Downhill, the competitor may not continue on the course and you should markdown their bib number with "DQ."
- Only faults need to be documented
- If a competitor falls and they've gone through a lower gate but missed one above, they need not repeat the one that they went through
- A competitor must ask if they missed a gate. If so, you say, "Back"
- Once they have correctly passed through the gate you may call out "Go!"
- If they ask which gate? Tell them by calling out "Back" and pointing.
- Note bad language or unsportsmanlike behavior as a fault and specifically document the situation
- If a competitor is about to overtake another competitor due to a fall or a slower competitor, the person that is overtaking the slower competitor, must yield and must not finish in order to get a rerun. The competitor requesting a rerun must report the incident to the finish referee. The competitor who is overtaking a slower skier may, however, elect to simply ski on and finish.
- If you have the lowest section of the course: The finish line must be crossed on both skis or on one ski or with both feet in case of a fall in the immediate finish area. In this case the time is taken when any part of the competitor's body or equipment stops the time keepers system.
After each race:
- Waits until Chief Gatekeeper skis down to collect your control cards
- Remains available after the race for consultation with the jury if faults have occurred at your gates and determines what time the next run will be and what time and where to meet for the next run.
Hand Timing Start
Morning of the Race
- Checks weather conditions and dresses appropriately, i.e. boot warmers, neck warmers, goggles, ski poles even if hiking, pad to stand on if possible
- Arrive at 8:15am to sign in at the registration table and pick up clipboard and pencil. Stop watch will be provided to you from the race department.
- Report to the start of the race course at least 20 minutes before the start to receive instructions and stop watch if not already given one.
During the Race
- Stand in a position where you can see each racer leave the start so you can record the time the racer leaves at the start at the same point for each racer.
- Press the stop watch button once when the racer departs and record the time on the watch. The stopwatch will resume counting, you will not need to press any other buttons.
- Record a start time for every racer that goes through the start gate.
After the Race
- Turn in your record sheet at the conclusion of the run to the Chief of race.
- Return your stopwatch to the race department or chief of race.
Hand Timing Finish
Morning of the Race
- Checks weather conditions and dresses appropriately, i.e. boot warmers, neck warmers, goggles, ski poles even if hiking, pad to stand on if possible
- Arrive at 8:15am to sign in at the registration table and pick up clipboard and pencil. Stop watch will be provided to you from the race department.
- Report to the finish of the race course at least 20 minutes before the start to receive instructions and stop watch if not already given one.
During the Race
- Stand in a position where you can see each racer cross the finish so you can record the time the racer finishes at the same point for each racer.
- Press the stop watch button once when the racer finishes and record the time on the watch. The stopwatch will resume counting; you will not need to press any other buttons.
- Record a start time for every racer that crosses the finish line.
After the Race
- Turn in your record sheet at the conclusion of the run to the Chief of race.
- Return your stopwatch to the race department or chief of race.
STARTER
Morning of the Race
- Checks weather conditions and dresses appropriately, i.e. boot warmers, neck warmers, goggles, ski poles even if hiking, pad to stand on if possible
- Arrive at 8:30am to sign in at the registration table and then head to the start of the race course.
During the Race
- You will be on a headset communicating with the Timing booth.
- Tell the timer what bib number you have in the gate, the timer will instruct you as to when they are ready for you to send the racer.
- Use the cue: Racer Ready, 3 – 2 – 1 Go, and cue the beeper if using one. The racer can go at any point once the beeper starts or you say Racer Ready.
- Make sure you do not send any racers when the course is not clear or the timer is not ready.
ROUND UP
Morning of the Race
- Check weather conditions and dress appropriately.
- Arrive at 8:30am to sign in at the registration table and pick up a copy of the start list and then head to start of the race course.
During the Race:
- You will be lining up the racers according to the start list.
- You will need to call out numbers, particularly during the second run of the race. If a racer misses their start you need to direct them to the start referee for a decision on when they will run.
CLEAN UP
- Arrive at lunch time and then again at the end of the race..
- After lunch and at the end of the day clear the trash off tables and try to leave the base lodge somewhat like was in the morning.
- If the trash containers are overflowing, please let the F&B staff know so they can be changed.
- Remind racers to be respectful of the space and keep their belongings put away neatly.
RATTLESNAKE DEN GUARD
- Arrive at 7:30 and position yourself at the base of the stairs to prevent racers/coaches/parents from using the Rattlesnake Den to put their stuff on and leave their bags. This space is reserved for SSS programs only.
- You will need to guard the space until the start of program at 9:30 and then again prior to lunch time. After 1:00 you are relieved of your duty.
REGISTRATION
- Arrive at 6:45 to set up registration.
- Post start lists around the room so racers will know their number when they get in line.
- Collect racer’s USSA/NHARA cards in exchange for their bib. If they do not have their cards they will need to leave a minimum of $20 or credit card.
- If a racer has not paid their entry fee send them to the Race Administrator first.
- Coaches will need to sign in and present their USSA/NHARA cards (record the number) in order to receive a Coach Ticket
- Race Workers sign in and receive a Race Worker Ticket.
BIB COLLECTION
- Arrive at the registration area at the start of the second run.
- Collect bibs from racers and return their cards.
- Stay until the end of the race and all bibs have been returned.
- Note any missing bibs and report that to the Race Administrator.
ANNOUNCING
- Arrive at the timing building at 9:00
- Position yourself with the microphone so that you can see the times as they come up and report who is on course. Use a start list for names and mountains.
- Announce who is on course when the racer is on the top portion of the course.
- Announce the time of the racer after they finish. Announce Did Not Start and Did Not Finish. Do not announce any Disqualifications.
- Remember to turn the microphone off when not announcing so that background chatter is not broadcasted to the race hill.
- Keep in mind that a lot is going on in this building and try to minimize noise. Only race officials are permitted to be in the building during the race, it is not a viewing gallery.
SCOREBOARD
- Arrive at registration at 8:00 and pick up the blank scoreboard, markers, and start list.
- Fill out the scoreboard with racers’ names.
- Bring the scoreboard up to the finish and mount for display.
- Record times of racers as they finish, also record DNF for Did Not Finish and DNS for Did Not Start
