1.1 The purpose of these rules and regulations is to help Texas Ski Council member clubs understand and easily follow the steps necessary to conduct all Texas Ski Council Races.

1.2 The spirit and philosophy of Texas Ski Council race events is to encourage participation and friendly competition between all member clubs of the Texas Ski Council.

1.3 Members who personally feel they are capable of racing should participate. Safety is the utmost concern. All racing is optional. All racers finishing the course in a safe, controlled manner, shall receive points as shown on Attachment 1.

1.4 Club competitions will be held during each Council sponsored event with trophies awarded to at least the top two clubs in each division. These competitions are established to increase the competition between clubs of widely varying memberships. Club divisions will be determined at the regular Texas Ski Council meeting prior to the first Texas Ski Council sponsored event and will be effective for the entire ski season. This competition will recognize the clubs with the most good skiers at each event as opposed to the club with a few outstanding skiers or the club with numerical strength only.

1.5 Individual races will be held during TSC sponsored events. These races will let the best racers of both genders compete on a time basis to recognize the fastest skiers.

1.6 The Texas Ski Cup Series will use the club competition results from each event to recognize the most outstanding race performance by a club in each of the divisions for the season. These awards will recognize not only the clubs with the best racers but will encourage member clubs to participate in all Texas Ski Council events.

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2.0 DEFINITIONS

2.1 Trip - see Texas Ski Council Bylaws.

2.2 Participant - any member in good standing of a Texas Ski Council member club that has paid the appropriate registration fee.

2.3 Racer - anyone who has met the qualification listed in the Eligibility Section.

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3.0 TEXAS SKI WEEK RACE COMMITTEE

3.1 The governing body responsible for administering the rules and conduct of each Texas Ski Week race shall be the “Race Committee” for that specific trip. This Committee shall consist of a designated race representative from each participating club, the TSC Vice-President of that trip, the President of the TSC if in attendance and any members of the TSC Race Committee in attendance.

3.2 The club representative should be the race director for his/her club. Each race committee member or his/her alternate shall be entitled to one vote. Presence of one-half of the committee shall constitute a quorum and a simple majority will rule. The President and TSC Race Committee members shall not vote. The TSC Vice-President of that trip will vote in the case of a tie.

3.3 A race committee meeting will be held at each event at least one day prior to the races.

3.4 Any item not covered by the Texas Ski Week Rules and Regulations will be determined by the Texas Ski Week Race Committee.

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4.0 ELIGIBILITY

4.1 Any bonafide member in good standing of a member club of the TSC shall be eligible to compete in TSC races unless specifically disqualified under the criteria listed for TSC races.

4.1.1 The participant must appear on the bonafide roster of a member club as submitted by the club race director. Their name must also appear on the final race list compiled during the Race Directors meeting. No substitutions or additions will be allowed after the Race Director’s meeting.

4.1.2 Participants with a dual club membership shall race with the club whose trip they are participating on and has paid their activity fee to the TSC.

4.1.3 Participants on reciprocity shall race for their parent club if the parent club is in attendance. If the parent club is not in attendance, the participant shall race for his/her host club. The race directors of the clubs involved shall notify the TSC at the Race Director's meeting of all reciprocity participants.

4.2 Racers meeting the following criteria are not eligible for TSC races. Exceptions will be determined by the VP of that trip and the mountain race committee.

4.2.1 Persons who have held a certified racing card or rating from any division of the U. S. Ski Association or any international ski or ski racing association within the last 15 years.

4.2.2 Persons who are currently members of any interscholastic or intercollegiate racing team.

4.2.3 A PSIA certified instructor who has taken pay within one year of the race date.

4.2.4 Persons currently employed in the ski industry working within 30 miles of a ski area.

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5.0 TEXAS SKI CUP SERIES RACES (Club Competition)

5.1 A Master Race List must be submitted in desired racing order no later than three weeks prior to the Race Director's meeting. At the Race Director's meeting it is the responsibility of the club race director to submit any additions or changes to the master sheets, and to notify the Vice-President of that trip of any members attending their trip on reciprocity. If a club does not submit the required Master Race List to the Trip VP by the due date, that club will be penalized with a 10% reduction of their established club handicap. The Trip VP should send an e-mail or other form of confirmation to the club trip captain upon receipt of the list.

5.2 Each club may enter as many racers as they wish. Participation is encouraged.

5.3 Each club will race as a group starting at an assigned time. A drawing will be held to determine the race order for the member clubs. Club starting times will be announced at the Race Director's meeting or when the racing bibs are distributed.

5.4 In the event starting times fall behind schedule, each club will be guaranteed their full block of times.

5.5 Latecomers may race at the end of their club's assigned time block, only if it does not interfere with the next club's start time.

5.6 NASTAR medals (or Ski Area equivalent) will be awarded based on the NASTAR Handicap System.

5.7 A club will be DISQUALIFIED if any racer from that club makes any run using any bib or bib number other than the one assigned to them.

5.8 For the Club Competition, each racer will be allowed ONE RUN ONLY and must wear their racing bib in a location determined by the Ski Area Race Director or be disqualified.

5.9 Times, handicaps, pacesetter and par times will be posted at the finish area. Each club will receive a copy of its club's results.

5.10 Each club's Race Director, Trip Leader, or other knowledgeable designated representative will race last so he/she can help coordinate racers for his/her club.

5.10.1 The TSC V. P. will have the option to choose the race starting times for all of the TSC officers and appointed personnel who are assisting with the races.

5.11 In the event that the Texas Ski Council's "no snow policy" is invoked for any TSC sponsored trip, no race points for the Texas Ski Cup Series Race will be awarded for that trip.

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6.0 INDIVIDUAL RACES

6.1 Each club will be limited to entries based on the following formula:

· Clubs with less than 50 participants - 6 racers;

· Clubs with between 50 and 99 participants - 8 racers;

· Clubs with between 100 and 149 participants - 10 racers;

· Clubs with over 150 participants - 12 racers.

Each club may submit any combination of males, females, seniors or super seniors. Clubs wishing to add participants over their allotment may do so. The club will pay a Fee for each participant limited to twice their allotment. The Fee amount will be set each year by the TSC Board of Directors at their Board Meeting held in the month of May. The Fee will be in effect for the entire upcoming season.

6.2 Each club must furnish to the Trip VP a list of its club’s individual racers. This list will include men, women, senior and super senior designations for each racer. This list to be furnished by the deadline set at the Race Directors meeting along with additional dollars paid by the club.

6.3 Men's and women's classes will race separately with the women's classes racing first.

6.4 Race order will be determined from the individual's race timed (unadjusted) during the club races, slowest to fastest order. Racers not finishing the club races will race first. Race order for both runs will be the same.

6.5 For the Individual Race each racer must make two runs (both courses if applicable). Both runs will count and the lowest total time will be used to determine the order of finish. A DQ or DNF run will disqualify the participant from Individual awards. They can complete their second run in order to qualify for a NASTAR medal.

6.6 Results will be based on time only. NASTAR handicaps and medals can be used in this race if the host area agrees and no additional cost is incurred by the Texas Ski Council.

6.7 To be eligible for the individual race, each racer must have been assigned a race bib number during the club race, and have been invited to race in the individual race by his/her club. If the prospective racer is traveling on reciprocity, the prospective racer must be invited to race by the club with which he/she is participating.

6.8 The TSC may elect to use the results of the Texas Ski Cup Series (Club Race) to determine the winners of the individual honors.

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7.0 INDIVIDUAL RACES - SENIOR / SUPER SENIOR DIVISION

7.1 All rules pertaining to "Individual Races" shall apply to Senior / Super Senior races.

7.2 All male racers 50-59 years of age, and all female racers 50-59 years of age, entered in the individual races will be automatically racing as Seniors, unless indicated otherwise.

7.3 All male and female racers age 60 and older, entered in the individual races will be automatically racing as Super Seniors, unless indicated otherwise.

7.4 A Senior or Super Senior who wants to select this option (unless indicated otherwise) may move down to the Senior or Open Division for the TSC Individual Race. This option must be indicated before the end of the Race Director's Meeting at the particular ski area. An Open or Senior Division racer cannot move up to the Senior of Super Senior Division. added 8-17-07

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8.0 RACE COURSE RULES

8.1 The Ski Area Race Director will be responsible for all on-course activity during the race. He/she should promote and ensure that a fair pace setter run be made which will present a fair challenge.

8.2 The computer used for scoring shall only be operated with the assistance of a TSC representative.

8.3 Only electronic starting wands may be used for the TSC races.

8.4 All times will be recorded to the hundredth of a second.

8.5 The Host Area must control the race course. No access will be permitted to non-racers.

8.6 The Host Area will post an accurate schedule of racers and times to ensure that any errors in recording or timing can be corrected while each club is racing. Each club should have a person assigned to check the Race Board for any errors and relate any questions to their club Race Director.

8.7 The club race course will be a NASTAR-type single, dual or quad course set on a smooth average hill consisting of sixteen (16) gates, if possible, and in a giant slalom layout, unless the Vice President of the Texas Ski Week and the Race Director of the Ski Area agree that the safety of the course is affected. The race course should be accessible to all levels of skiers.

8.8 The Individual Race course will be a NASTAR-type race course set on an intermediate run consisting of twenty-four (24) gates, if possible, and run on a single gate giant slalom course. A single or dual course may be used at the discretion of the TSC Trip VP depending on conditions and Host Area capabilities.

8.9 A new pacesetter run will be made whenever deemed necessary by the Ski Area Race Director. Normally pacesetter runs will only be made before a club or block of racers. All new pace times will be denoted on the Master Scoring Sheets.

8.10 Release of a ski will constitute a DNF (did not finish).

8.11 Missing a gate, straddling a gate, crossing to the other course, or passing the wrong finish gate will be judged a DQ (disqualification).

8.12 Reruns will be permitted only for the following, and all requests for a rerun must be made immediately following the run to a designated race official.

8.12.1 False start - it is the starter's obligation to call back the racer before they pass through the second gate after the starting gates. Only one false start will be allowed.

8.12.2 Time malfunction (human or mechanical) - in the event of a start time malfunction, an attempt should be made to stop the racer before he/she completes the course.

8.12.3 All timers/clocks agree to be in error.

8.12.4 Outside interference to a racer.

8.12.5 If a gate has not been replaced prior to the racer's reaching the previous gate.

8.13 Ski lift access to race area must be in operation at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the first club starting time.

8.14 Ski Area Race Director shall provide backup race course communications and timing system if available.

8.15 Ski Area Race Director will provide a written sheet showing racers number, name, age, sex, and time as a back up for computer failure.

8.16 No TSC participant will be allowed on the race course before or during the race for course maintenance (“slipping”), inspection, etc. Course maintenance will be done by the ski area race department. The only exception will be if the race department asks for our assistance from the TSC Trip VP. Prior inspection of the course will only be allowed from outside the course. Violators will be disqualified.

8.17 No participant in a TSC club race or a TSC individual race may race head-to-head against anyone other than another bonafide participant in the same race.

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9.0 PROTEST

9.1 A protest must be submitted in writing within 30 minutes of the protesting racer's club receiving their race results to the TSC Trip VP or persons designated by the VP an official of the Texas Ski Council, and may only be filed by the club Race Director.

9.2 Provisional reruns shall be permitted at a time determined by the Trip V-P. If protest is valid, only the rerun time will be counted.

9.3 The race course will remain set up until the protest deadline has passed.

9.4 A protest must be accompanied by a $10.00 deposit that will be forfeited to the TSC Race Committee Budget if the protest is denied.

9.5 The Vice President of the trip, with the technical assistance from the designated Ski Area Race Director, will decide all protests and their decision will be final.

9.6 Club Race Director will pick up master race sheets within 30 minutes of each clubs finish. He/she is advised to check all times and racers for any discrepancy and file his/her formal protest at that time.

9.7 A protest after the presentation of the club awards can only be filed due to miscalculation or other mathematical error concerning club handicaps and point totals. The Race Director should file a written protest with the Trip VP by 11:00 PM the evening of the Final Awards party. The Trip VP should resolve the protest within a week of return from the trip and notify all affected parties of the decision. All other protests concerning times, handicaps and medals must follow the 30 minute rule on the race course (Article 9.1).

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10.0 RACE SCORING AND AWARDS - DIVISIONAL CUPS

10.1 Clubs will be divided into three divisions based on their Average Raw Points scored during the previous five (5) seasons. The four clubs scoring the most Raw Points (previous five (5) year average) will be placed in Division I and ranked according to points scored from highest to lowest. The four clubs with the next highest average will be placed in Division II and ranked according to points scored from highest to lowest. All other clubs will be placed in Division III and ranked according to points scored from highest to lowest.

10.2 Each division will compete for one of the three Division Cups.

10.3 Awards will be based on the number of points earned based on that club's competition in any one or more of the individual TSC events.

10.4 Each club will be assigned a handicap based on the division and number of points obtained in the prior seasons (see Attachment 2).

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11.0 CLUB COMPETITION (Part of Texas Ski Cup Series)

11.1 Scoring will be based on TSC handicap chart, which is an expanded NASTAR handicap chart. Five (5) additional categories have been established below the normal Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Points earned will increase from one (1) to eighty-one (81) as the handicap approaches zero (see Attachment 1 for the expanded NASTAR handicap chart).

11.2 Permanent trophies will be awarded to the clubs finishing first and in certain cases those finishing second and third. Final standings will be determined by multiplying a club's raw point score by their established handicap. For the particular trip, a first place will be awarded if three or less clubs in a Division participated. If more than three clubs participated on an individual trip in a Division, a second place trophy will be awarded. In the event of a tie for first, second or third place using adjusted total points, for any TSC sponsored trip, the tie will stand and each club shall be awarded the appropriate points.

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12.0 TEXAS SKI CUP DIVISIONAL TROPHIES

12.1 Texas Ski Cups will be awarded to the best performing club in each Division over the course of the Texas Ski Cup Series.

12.2 The score for each club will be determined as follows:

For each Division, the following points will be awarded towards the total annual points:

· First Place 6 points

· Second Place 4 points

· Third Place 3 points

· Fourth Place 2 points

· For Participating 1 point

The Club having the highest total for the year in each Division will win the Annual Divisional Trophy. In the event of a tie on annual points in a Division, the club having the largest adjusted total points based on the TSC Handicap System will be awarded the Divisional Trophy.

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13.0 INDIVIDUAL RACE TROPHIES

13.1 Each racer's time will be the accumulated time of two runs. Place will be determined by time only.

13.2 Trophies will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers of the Individual Race and Individual Race – Senior and Super Senior Divisions, providing at least 20 entrants race in each Division of Men, Women, Senior and Super Senior; otherwise, trophies will be awarded to the top two male and female finishers.

13.3 All children (15 and under) receiving NASTAR MEDALS during the team competition,

will be presented their medals during individual trophy presentation.

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14.0 RACE YOUR BUDDY OR OBSTACLE RUN FUN RACES

14.1 The type of fun race used at any Texas Ski Council event will be approved by the Texas Ski Council Vice President of that trip.

14.2 Race Your Buddy will be held on a smooth easy run consisting of about twelve (12) gates with electronic timing to indicate each racer's time.

14.3 Obstacle races will be held on a beginner's run with obstacles to negotiate and stations for libation drinking and other zany things.

14.4 Racers may enter by displaying a Texas Ski Council badge and/or official admission card.

14.5 No awards will be given unless a sponsor is so inclined.

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