Mackenzie U14 Racing

PROGRAM DESIGN

The U14 age program delivers Learn to Train and  Train to Train programming for athletes aged 12 and 13, as defined in the ACA LTSD Stages of Development. The ACA SnowStars program continues to provide athletic guidance at levels 6 and 7.   U14 competition events are to be focused on the development of ski racing skills while beginning to promote performance on demand.

Athletes will ski SL, GS, Speed, Ski Cross and Dual either in competition or at Skills Camps.

Eligibility

Athletes must be 12-13 years of age as of December 31^st of the current season to be eligible for the U14 racing program.

To participate in the 2023 U14 OCUP series, each athlete must submit a dated (between Sept 1-Dec 31) fitness testing record to AOA by Dec 31st, 2022.  Please consult with your club for planned fitness testing sessions.

Registration

All U14 athletes must be registered through the AOA online registration system which includes a waiver, to compete in any events or camps.

Race Parameters

• AOA strongly recommends that all athletes train and race at a development ratio of 6:1.
• Maximum 20  race starts (all domestic calendared events will count as starts, (including Invitationals)  including speed starts.
• Additional AOA sanctioned invitational events may be added whereby the host club is to administer in accordance with AOA Invitational Application and Policy.
• All race events will be set in accordance to ACA/AOA sanctioned course setting rules.

Course Setting

Current course setting guidelines for U14 can be found here.

Start Lists: U14 OCUP Mid-Winter and Finals

• Events will run gender separated (i.e. boys/girls) ideally with the first and second run being held on a different set with, at a minimum, a redress required between runs.
• First run start order will be determined by a separate draw of girls and boys based on Divisional seeding: NOD 2, LSDA 2, NCD 3, and SOD 8 per 15 racer seed
• Second run start order is determined by the result list of the first run except for the first 30 places, which shall start in reverse order.
• All athletes will have two (2) runs.
• eg. Run 1 Girls (divisional seeding), Boys (divisional seeding).
• eg. Run 2 Girls (results from run 1 but flip top 30 followed by DSQ DNF DNS), Run 2 Boys (results from run 1 but flip top 30 followed by DSQ DNF DNS).

Results & Awards

• Results will be based on official race format FIS ICR 617.3.2
• 1^st – 3^rd male and female athletes will receive medals on the podium.
• 4^th – 10^th male and female athletes will be recognized.
• All athletes and coaches are expected to attend the award ceremonies. Top 5 are required to attend in accordance with FIS ICR reference 205.4; clubs will be sanctioned $25 per infraction for any Top 5 athlete that is not in attendance.

Equipment

• All athletes must comply with the ACA National Rules and Policies.
• Please see the AOA Equipment Guidelines here.
• Helmets must comply with event-specific rules.
• Go Pro mounts and other modifications are not permitted.
• Athletes should have SL, GS specific skis in compliance with the ACA National Rules & Policies
• Athletes are permitted to wear speed suits.
• No SL chin guards are permitted on helmets at GS or Super G races.
• No SL hand guards are permitted on poles at GS or Super G races.
• Back protector strongly recommended for speed events (size appropriate). Please note AOA will be considering adopting a mandatory rule for the 2019/20 season.  ACA and FIS do not mandate back protectors for speed racing yet but we anticipate this will be the case for the 2019/20 season.

U14 OCUP Finals

• To participate in the 2023 U14 OCUP series, each athlete must submit a dated (between Sept 1-Dec 31) fitness testing record to AOA by Dec 31, 2022. Please consult with your club for planned fitness testing sessions.
• Clubs must enter all athletes through their Regional Division (LSDA, NCD, NOD, SOD)
• All divisions will send all entries to [email protected]