NMH Alpine Skiing : Coed Alpine Skiing

Parent & Team Member Information

USSA Membership and Racing

Weekend USSA (US Ski Association) races are optional.We travel as a team to weekend races in January and February, although they are individual, not team-scored events.  USSA races are for skiers who are serious about racing and who hope to improve as much as possible.  No previous racing experience is required in order to race USSA.  I strongly recommend that students participate in this opportunity.  Those who do race USSA tend to improve much more rapidly, and become more proficient, experienced ski racers.  I especially recommend that younger students take advantage of this opportunity, because great gains in ability can be made early on.  To join USSA, you need to complete an application (requires parent signature) and send it in with the registration fee.  Each race has an entry fee of about $40, so it can get expensive, but you don't need to attend every race.  But, if you can afford it, it's well worth the cost.  Plus, it's fun — kids routinely comment on how much team camaraderie is formed by participating in these races!

To get a USSA application, click here: http://www.ussa.org/PublishingFolder/assets/Files/alpformsmembussa.pdf

What you need to do in order to race USSA:

1. Renew/sign up for new membership with USSA.  Fill out the application, with parent signature, enclose payment, and mail directly to USSA.  Make sure you read and sign the Waiver/Release of Liability.

   • State affiliation:  write MA/Tri State
   • Club:  Northfield Mount Hermon School
   • Division:  Eastern
   • Membership type:  check "Competitor"

2. Do this AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!  It takes time for USSA to process new and renewing memberships, and the deadline is early November for renewing members, if you want your points to be valid for the first several races.  Your membership must be completed before the first race, so please complete this process as early as possible.

3. Renew/sign up for new membership with the Tri-State Alpine Racing Association, the regional organization within USSA that governs most of the races that we will be attending.  This form is now available on-line.  Please mail directly to the address on the form, not to NMH.

How to enter USSA races:

• Check the calendar and decide which races you will attend.  You may only attend races for competitors within your range of classification*.  That is, J3 racers attend J3 races, and older students (J2 or J1) attend the J1/J2/Senior races.  Here are the age breakdowns for the 2007-08 season:

  • J3: born in 1993, 1993 (13 & 14 year olds)
  • J2: born in 1991, 1992 (15 & 16 year olds)
  • J1: born in 1998 -1990 (17, 18, & 19 year olds)

*One exception:  there are a few J1-2 races that second-year J3s may  attend.  Check the schedule.

• Fill out a race entry card (you will receive a blank one in your USSA Competition Guide, or can get them from your coaches.  Be sure to include USSA number, club (NMH), and year of birth and age class.

• Mail with entry fee (check or money order, no cash) to the race organizer.  These addresses are listed on our website; click here -->  race contacts.

• MAIL THE ENTRIES IN EARLY!  Most deadlines are 7–10 days before the race, so mail them in 2 weeks early.  You can actually mail in all entries at the beginning of the season, then later cancel any that you decide not to attend (just call the race organizer 48 hours before the race).

• You must bring your USSA competitor card with you to every race.  It is needed in order to compete.

General Information About Being on the NMH Ski Team

• All students are responsible for providing their own equipment.  This includes a helmet and of course skis, boots, and poles (helmets are required for all races and practices).  Optional equipment (by no means required) includes slalom guards, a GS suit, and different skis for slalom and giant slalom.  For advice on what skis/boots/bindings to purchase, consult with a local ski shop, asking to speak to someone knowledgeable about racing gear.
  The ski shops closest to NMH that we use regularly are Clark's Sport Shop in Greenfield (413-774-2298), and Competitive Edge in Hadley (413-585-8833).

• Students need to have their own tuning supplies as they will be tuning their own skis every week.  Want instructions on how to tune skis, or suggestions on where to buy tuning supplies, helmets, GS suits, other equipment?  Check out our tuning tips & list of equipment suppliers.

If you have any questions, contact Coach Greg Leeds.  Welcome to USSA racing and the NMH ski team!  Enjoy your season!

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