Work Day Information and Dibs Credits: Work day credits vary per position ranging from 1 to 1.5 credits. If a position requires experience and/or certification, it is noted in the description. Registration for work days is completed online using the Dibs system built in to this site. An email confirmation will be sent out prior to the race day to all workers with position and race day information.
Some definitions are taken directly from the USSA Competition Guide 2015. The descriptions, expectations, information are modified to the Pico Racing Program needs. Descriptions are listed in alphabetical order of the position. While ensuring a smooth race is important, let’s also ensure we have fun!
Step 1: Arrive on time to Ski Club
Step 2: Volunteer sign in - Located in downstairs of the Ski Club, you'll need to sign the sign-in sheet and volunteer waiver.
Step 3: Report to volunteer positions as described below.
USSA Officials Membership and experience are required.
ASSIGNED by Race Administrator--if this position interests you please reach out to mattgilmond@gmail.com
The Chief of Course is responsible for the preparation of the courses in accordance with the directives and decisions of the Jury. The Chief of Course must be familiar with local snow conditions on the terrain concerned. Training for this position can occur on race days with the Chief of Course for that race with work day credits accrued.
Experience required. ASSIGNED by Race Administrator--if this position interests you please reach out to mattgilmond@gmail.comThe Chief Gate Judge organizes and supervises the work of the gate judges as follows:
USSA Officials Membership and experience are required. ASSIGNED by Race Administrator--if this position interests you please reach out to mattgilmond@gmail.com
The Chief of Race directs all preparation of the completion and supervises the activities in the technical area. The chief of Race summons meetings for the consideration of technical questions and leads the Team Captains’ Meetings after consultation with the Technical Delegate. Training for this position can occur on race days with the Chief of Race for that race with work day credits accrued.
USSA Officials Membership is required. ASSIGNED by Race Administrator--if this position interests you please reach out to mattgilmond@gmail.com
The Finish Referee is a non-voting member of the Jury and is listed in the paperwork as a Jury Advisor. This person arrives 1 hour prior to race start, remains in the finish for the duration of the event and is responsible for:
All Gate Judges need to arrive approximately 1 hour prior to the start of the race. First time Gate Judges will be instructed on proper gate judging techniques prior to the start of the race. Gate judges will meet in the AML conference room and obtain gate judge bibs, clipboard, pencils and papers, and to meet with the Head Gate Judge to receive assignments. At the end of each run, each Gate Judge will remain in place until the Head Gate Judge collects each individual’s card. Second run placement times and locations will be determined by the Head Gate Judge. After the second run, cards will be collected by the Head Gate Judge. Gate judges will return to and remain in the ski club for approximately 15 minutes after the end of the race in the event there are any challenges to the posted disqualifications. All Gate Judges should return materials to Chief Gate Judge. NON-SKIERS CAN PARTICIPATE AND BE ASSIGNED TO GATES WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE FINISH.
This person is responsible for communicating, via headset, to the timing tower when a racer is approaching the sight-line of the timing tower. This position is used during GS (Giant Slalom) races where the start is located further up the course, past the sight line of the staff in the timing tower. The purpose is to communicate to the timing tower (via headset) that racer’s location prior to the racer coming into view to timing tower staff. This position will check-in 1 hour prior to race start at the timing tower and will need a start list and skis for course access. This position remains on the hill during the duration of each run, with a break between first and second run. This is an outdoor position that requires standing on the ski trail.
This position requires you to be on skis and ready to go at 7:00 AM. Race Crew works to ensure the course, start and finish corral are ready prior to start; during the race they are directed by the Chief of Course as to what they are to work on, including but not limited to: slipping, shoveling, resetting gates, and shuttling equipment. The purpose of the Race Crew is to help ensure the race fairness through the very last racer to the best of their ability. Race Crew is also responsible for the breakdown of the course/venue at the end of the day.
Volunteers arrive and are ready at 7:00 a.m. on race day, meeting in the timing tower to collect the bibs and a start list.
Responsibilities include:
Once this is complete, registration volunteer will prepare to collect bibs:
Responsibilities include:
No experience necessary
Reports to the timing tower ½ hour prior to the start of the race, and finishes after the last racer crosses the finish line.
Responsibilities include:
Volunteers arrive and are ready at 7:00 a.m. on race day, meeting in the timing tower to collect the bibs and a start list.
Responsibilities include:
Once this is complete, registration volunteer will prepare to collect bibs:
Responsibilities include:
No experience necessary
ASSIGNED by Race Administrator--if this position interests you please reach out to mattgilmond@gmail.com
The Starter helps the Start Referee get the start area organized and ready for the athletes, as well as breakdown after the race. The starter should arrive with a start list at least 15 minutes prior to the first racer (forerunner) on course. While no ski race experience is necessary, this person must be able to ski the host race trail comfortably from top to bottom. He/she is responsible for:
The Starter wears a headset during the race for constant communication with the timing tower to help keep the flow of the race going. Skis are required to get to the course.
No experience is necessary however a booming and resounding voice is! The Start Organizer’s main job is lining up athletes so they enter the starting ramp in the correct order. Racers will not hear numbers called, will forget bibs, are plugged in…. you are there to help resolve the issues before the racer is in the start gate. While no ski race experience is necessary, this person must be able to ski the host race trail comfortably from top to bottom. Skis are required as is collecting a start list from the timing tower.
USSA Officials Membership is required. ASSIGNED by Race Administrator--if this position interests you please reach out to mattgilmond@gmail.com
The Start Referee is a non-voting member of the Jury and is listed in the paperwork as a Jury Advisor. This person remains at the start for the duration of the event and is responsible for:
This person arrives 1 hour prior to race start, and skis are required for course access.
The Hand Timer should plan to be on course at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the race. Hand Timers receive instruction, paperwork and a stop watch from the Chief of Timing and Calculations in the Timing Tower. Hand Timers push a button on a start clock for each racer’s start or finish. This is a back-up time for any racer who does not receive a time due to the possibility of an error with the hardwired times. It is important for Hand Timers to be consistent with all racers when the time is started/stopped on the stop watch so that all times are consistent. Skis are required as is skiing to the start as a Hand Timer at Start, though a Finish Hand Timer may walk to the finish area.
ASSIGNED by Race Administrator--if this position interests you please reach out to mattgilmond@gmail.com
Some related experience is necessary for the role of Primary Timer, hence anyone who has performed any timing in the past is eligible to do some primary timing. The Primary Timer works in the timing tower and operates the primary timing system known as Split Second software. The Primary Timer wears a headset and is in constant communication with the start and other timing officials. The Primary Timer arrives at least 1 hour in advance of race start.
No experience required, so now is your chance to learn something new. The Secondary Timer will: