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July 29, 2010

Introduction

A number of local club and ski school programs around the USA offer introductory programs for skiing and ski racing, with integration into USSA and/or PSIA programs.

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Summer Training Series

The Time Will Tell

WPSC Racing Schedule

Winter Training Series

Our Winter Training Series (WTS) this year will include the Time Will Tell Program (TWT) and the Race Team Program with Pittsburgh Ski Club (PSC). We will try to convert the in-line skating and other skills developed off season and apply them to alpine (and tele if you will) skiing. Use the Contact Form to inquire more about the programs.

Join the PSC to have more fun on the mountain! Act now and here is the application: PSC Members. Then, sign up for the TWT: Race2Ski/Ski2Race program and/or the PSC Race Team to further develop your skills, prepare for your big trip West, or NASTAR runs, and have even more fun! The series blocks include four training sessions spread over time at your schedule and convenience. You can even buy two blocks if you want more intensive development towards achieving your healthier livestyle and other goals. Dates and times may vary, so check the WTS pages frequently.

"The Time Will Tell" Development Program

Embark on a journey in time! Ski with the NASTAR National Champion and international ski instructors and coaches’ medalist. But don’t just listen to his advice - let the time tell the truth about your skiing!

Program venue: 7Springs Mountain Resort.
For information and schedule click here.

Summer Training Series

Our Summer Training Series spin around in-line skating skill development and skill transfer to alpine skiing. Use the Contact Form to inquire more about the program but we'll be learning pretty much skiing - just using skates, and maybe some of the Double Push technique... if we can get there.

STS Program Cost: $20 for PSC Members and $40 for Sponsors. The series includes four training sessions spread over the summer months. Dates and times may vary so check the STS pages frequently.

USSA Program Information

USSA programs are organized into general program categories based on the needs of racers at every level. Programs may overlap or be identified in some divisions. Details on these programs are found in Regional, Divisional and State programs at www.ussa.org, as well as in regional, divisional an state handbooks.

Competition Categories

Youth (non-scored) Ages 12 and younger
Student (non-scored) Ages 13 and older
Competitor (scored to USSA) Ages 13 and older
FIS Competitor (scored to USSA and to FIS) Ages 15 and older
Masters Racing Ages 21 and up*

* A racer 21 years of age or older may compete in either masters or seeded competition or both, depending on the rules of a specific region. He or she must have a competitor and a masters membership in order to participate in both programs.

Age Classes (by year of birth)

Juniors
J6                            Ages 8 and younger
J5                            Ages 9-10
J4                            Ages 11-12
J3                            Ages 13-14
J2                            Ages 15-16
J1                            Ages 17-19

Adults or Seniors
SR                         Ages 20 or older

Note: Racers should check with their local program, or with their local office regarding details or exceptions that may apply. Some regions, divisions or states may recognize other age categories below the J5 class.

Alpine Ski Racing Disciplines

In the early days of alpine ski racing, athletes competed in only two events: downhill and slalom. Giant slalom was added to the lineup in 1950 and Super G in 1983. Downhill and Super G are generally grouped together as "speed" events, while slalom and giant slalom grouped as "technical" ones. Skiers generally compete in either speed events or technical events, although the trend is to develop skiers on a broader base, skiing all disciplines. All race courses must meet strict standards established and monitored by officials of the FIS. In the US, it is FIS and the USSA officials.

Development Programs

Nonstopski (fun but far)

Summer Training Series

The Time will Tell

STS Program Feedback

We were pleased with the caliber of training and the responsiveness...

Our 13 yr. old daughter is going in to her 3rd yr. with WPRC and begins level J-3 this year. She wants to improve her speed. Our 11yr. races NASTAR all winter and will join WPRC this year. We were also joined by an accomplished girl racer from Blue Knob and her father. Robert got the girls warmed up while he set the gates and timing devices in a paved area that we had all to ourselves. He worked with the girls on their in-line skating techniques, emphasizing the similarities to ski racing. Our younger daughter, still leery of skates, worked out on her mountain bike. Robert enthusiastically joined the girls in the gate training and they were all having fun. The session ended with a series of timed races. We were pleased with the caliber of training and the responsiveness of the girls to Robert's instruction.

- Allan and Beth Wallisch