In 2009 the Snowsport England Grand Prix Series has been extended to seven races. This year two indoor GP's will take place at the new Hemel Snowdome and at Milton Keynes. Let's hope they can get rid of the ice and produce good snow after the poor conditions experienced at the BUISC finals in MK.
BARTS points will be awarded for the indoor snow races which may prove interesting and possibly controversial. Those living close to the snowdomes will certainly benefit enormously.
The best five results from the seven races for each racer, will count towards the Series overall awards. Last year many awards were won on just three race scores which probably won't happen this time. Whatever happens it looks like another exciting series of races even though it is a shame that SSE were unable to secure a major sponsor for 2009. Possibly persuading some local or regional TV coverage might encourage a sponsor to come forward for 2010.
Why not post your opinions on this blog particularly if you can bring forward some good ideas or opinions?
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Dry Slope Grand Prix Series 2008
All five Grand Prix races have now come and gone. After the lack of any challenging courses at Norwich, a trio of races at Pendle, Sunderland and Rossendale yielded courses worthy of Grand Prix status to sort out the talented technical skiers from the blasters. If these were motoring Grand Prix races then the track would be littered with wrecked cars which would not reflect too well on the drivers. A Grand Prix or International race is not just a test of speed, it needs to test ability and speed and any winner needs to have the right balance of both vital elements.
Ipswich yielded two good courses that had balanced on the verge of being inappropriate. Some last minute tweaking saved the day but they could well have taken more advantage of the natural challenges of the Ipswich terrain.
Full marks to the lads from up North in having the conviction to set great challenging courses and not wimp out as has happened too many times before. Some may well crticise these courses whereas they should reflect on where they went wrong and work hard at addressing their weaknesses and be up to the challenge of exciting courses that hold the attention of the spectators from start to finish.
Let's hope the International races live up to the standard and test our greatest skiers to entertain us with their skills in rising to the challenge.
Ipswich yielded two good courses that had balanced on the verge of being inappropriate. Some last minute tweaking saved the day but they could well have taken more advantage of the natural challenges of the Ipswich terrain.
Full marks to the lads from up North in having the conviction to set great challenging courses and not wimp out as has happened too many times before. Some may well crticise these courses whereas they should reflect on where they went wrong and work hard at addressing their weaknesses and be up to the challenge of exciting courses that hold the attention of the spectators from start to finish.
Let's hope the International races live up to the standard and test our greatest skiers to entertain us with their skills in rising to the challenge.
Thursday, 11 October 2007
European Championships
As another "plastic"season draws to a close those that failed to turn up for the Europeans because they are intimidated by the Pontypool terrain and are not up to the challenge, were starting their first week at Uni or just could not fit the weekend in for various reasons missed a weekend of varied and excellent courses set by Robin Kellen, Dave Berry and Hedley Beavis.
The male race had a quality entry but missed a few desirable competitors from the north and east. it was good to see the Scottish and Irish camps make the long journey to Wales. Once again several of the top ladies failed to enter.
Saturday saw some good close racing over fairly good and fast courses which, surprisingly a few top names failed to finish. The Belgians brought colour to the event with cowbells echoing through the Pontypool Park as their skiers, in their catsuits, brought colour to the event.
Sunday opened with another fast, but good first course which, once again saw the demise of several top names. The second course, set by Robin Kellen was a challenge for all to see. It was fair and skiable but some chose to give the key gate little more than a cursory glance or not inspect at all. Hey guy's and gall's this was the Europeans and it was obvious that anyone with less than a perfect line would bite the dust, or rather mat. Sure enough, as in the British last year and the All England this year the ones who would not make it down were all very predictable with few surprises. Some never learn!
The good skiers survived but few had clean runs and several were very fast. However, all that came had invaluable experience towards next year's British Champs. If you want to be a British Champ next year you will have to be up to the Pontypool challenge.
The atmosphere amongst the spectators and athletes was like it was many years ago. Good challenging courses make for good racing and good entertainment.
What did you think of the Europeans?
The male race had a quality entry but missed a few desirable competitors from the north and east. it was good to see the Scottish and Irish camps make the long journey to Wales. Once again several of the top ladies failed to enter.
Saturday saw some good close racing over fairly good and fast courses which, surprisingly a few top names failed to finish. The Belgians brought colour to the event with cowbells echoing through the Pontypool Park as their skiers, in their catsuits, brought colour to the event.
Sunday opened with another fast, but good first course which, once again saw the demise of several top names. The second course, set by Robin Kellen was a challenge for all to see. It was fair and skiable but some chose to give the key gate little more than a cursory glance or not inspect at all. Hey guy's and gall's this was the Europeans and it was obvious that anyone with less than a perfect line would bite the dust, or rather mat. Sure enough, as in the British last year and the All England this year the ones who would not make it down were all very predictable with few surprises. Some never learn!
The good skiers survived but few had clean runs and several were very fast. However, all that came had invaluable experience towards next year's British Champs. If you want to be a British Champ next year you will have to be up to the Pontypool challenge.
The atmosphere amongst the spectators and athletes was like it was many years ago. Good challenging courses make for good racing and good entertainment.
What did you think of the Europeans?
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
British Champs 2007
What a great weekend of ski racing but it did have its ups and downs. It is clear that there is a great depth of talent amongst the male racers but sadly very little depth within the female ranks. Andy Roose clearly stamped his authority on the weekend with three fastest times out of the four runs.
The Sunday courses appeared to go down well with all the racers but what about the Saturday courses? I heard most of the racers comments and they were not very flattering. What did you think about them and were they appropriate for the level of the event? Unless your voice is heard then your opinion will not be counted.
What were the race organisers thinking about on Sunday? Did they come to the race looking to confront the racers and if so, Why? Why was the commentator "WARNING" the racers time and time again? Why did the organisers want to throw EVERY racer out of the gate, almost before the first racer had crossed the finish line. This was unnecessary, upsetting many of the racers and spoiling the enjoyment and tension for the spectators. Didn't they realize that this is a dangerous sport, racers need to concentrate and focus in the start gate, not to be thrown out of it or hassled. Were some of the officials appropriate for the event as they did not appear to understand the rule book? One top official did not even know that they were discussing the problems with one of the most senior racers who was the current zero point racer!!!! This would make one think that they were sadly lacking in experience of artificial dry slope ski racing run under modified FIS rules.
Let's have your thoughts and opinions on the weekend.
The Sunday courses appeared to go down well with all the racers but what about the Saturday courses? I heard most of the racers comments and they were not very flattering. What did you think about them and were they appropriate for the level of the event? Unless your voice is heard then your opinion will not be counted.
What were the race organisers thinking about on Sunday? Did they come to the race looking to confront the racers and if so, Why? Why was the commentator "WARNING" the racers time and time again? Why did the organisers want to throw EVERY racer out of the gate, almost before the first racer had crossed the finish line. This was unnecessary, upsetting many of the racers and spoiling the enjoyment and tension for the spectators. Didn't they realize that this is a dangerous sport, racers need to concentrate and focus in the start gate, not to be thrown out of it or hassled. Were some of the officials appropriate for the event as they did not appear to understand the rule book? One top official did not even know that they were discussing the problems with one of the most senior racers who was the current zero point racer!!!! This would make one think that they were sadly lacking in experience of artificial dry slope ski racing run under modified FIS rules.
Let's have your thoughts and opinions on the weekend.
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Ten Point Minimum Penalty - Is it necessary?
Looking at the start lists, results and race penalty from a number of Club Nationals it is apparent that many races attract several sub ten point racers and have a very low or negative calculated penalty.
Is there a case to ignore the calculated penalty for all racers with a race penalty in excess of 10 and apply the minimum 10 points to all racers with a race penalty less than 10. This would ensure that all sub 10 point racers could not make points in a Club National while ensuring that those with higher points are not loaded by 10 points. It would also ensure that no one could earn less than 10 points in a CN. This would only apply in races where there were a pre-determined number of sub ten point racers included amongst the finishers.
What are the flaws, advantages or disadvantages in changing the current system? Let's have your views.
Is there a case to ignore the calculated penalty for all racers with a race penalty in excess of 10 and apply the minimum 10 points to all racers with a race penalty less than 10. This would ensure that all sub 10 point racers could not make points in a Club National while ensuring that those with higher points are not loaded by 10 points. It would also ensure that no one could earn less than 10 points in a CN. This would only apply in races where there were a pre-determined number of sub ten point racers included amongst the finishers.
What are the flaws, advantages or disadvantages in changing the current system? Let's have your views.
Monday, 18 June 2007
Ladies, ladies, ladies
A couple of seasons ago and earlier it was the ultimate shame for the top male racers to get "chicked" in a race. More often than not the top female racers would set times that would firmly place them in the top ten of the male times. Since then either the male racers have upped their game or the female racers have slipped back. On some runs the females have barely scraped into the top thirty male times or the top twenty on combined times.
Unfortunately few races see the majority of top female competitors go head to head which may not keep all the competition on their toes. With low start numbers at some races we need to encourage more female racers into the sport.
Let's hope the girls can raise their game and close the gap as we head towards the zero point races.
Unfortunately few races see the majority of top female competitors go head to head which may not keep all the competition on their toes. With low start numbers at some races we need to encourage more female racers into the sport.
Let's hope the girls can raise their game and close the gap as we head towards the zero point races.
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Keeping the Cost Down
Skiing is a very expensive sport. This applies whether you compete on the dry slope only, snow circuit only or dare I say it, both!
I am sure we have all come up with good deals or discounts which really help. It's amazing that sometimes you talk with seasoned "sponsors" (that's a technical word for parents) who don't realize that they can qualify for a special discount card that can save 20% on accommodation.
Premier Travel Inns have an Emerald Card which gives 20% off and that means you can save £18 to £20 a weekend. I don't know if these are still available but the application form used to be available through Beefeater Restaurants only. Give it a try but I think you may have to be over aged 50 to qualify. They also used to have other discount cards.
Do you look for the Travelodge £10, £15 0r £20 rooms? You can't cancel but what a saving. Even if you have booked six months in advance why not check up to see what is now available as you may be able to replace your earlier booking. Don't leave it too late as you have to book up to two weeks in advance.
Are you a member of the Holiday Inn Group "Priority Club"?. No discounts but fabulous check in and check out service and you get "points" which can add up to a free night. Don't forget the special deals as sometimes the Holiday Inn can be cheaper than the near by Holiday Inn Express, but you don't get the free breakfast.
Going to France? We recently missed a great price of £140 return on the Channel Tunnel which turned out to be fortunate. A quick visit on the Net to "Drive Alive" and we got two nights accommodation plus breakfast and return ferry crossing Dover/Calais for just £167.
What great deals do you know about and can share?
If you don't know any tips to get a great deal, do you know a great location? If so spread the news as every saving helps.
And guys, don't forget to collect your Nectar points in the evening. If you don't your wife may not be happy!
Cheap Ski Holidays!
Cheap Equipment! eBay.co.uk - Click here!
I am sure we have all come up with good deals or discounts which really help. It's amazing that sometimes you talk with seasoned "sponsors" (that's a technical word for parents) who don't realize that they can qualify for a special discount card that can save 20% on accommodation.
Premier Travel Inns have an Emerald Card which gives 20% off and that means you can save £18 to £20 a weekend. I don't know if these are still available but the application form used to be available through Beefeater Restaurants only. Give it a try but I think you may have to be over aged 50 to qualify. They also used to have other discount cards.
Do you look for the Travelodge £10, £15 0r £20 rooms? You can't cancel but what a saving. Even if you have booked six months in advance why not check up to see what is now available as you may be able to replace your earlier booking. Don't leave it too late as you have to book up to two weeks in advance.
Are you a member of the Holiday Inn Group "Priority Club"?. No discounts but fabulous check in and check out service and you get "points" which can add up to a free night. Don't forget the special deals as sometimes the Holiday Inn can be cheaper than the near by Holiday Inn Express, but you don't get the free breakfast.
Going to France? We recently missed a great price of £140 return on the Channel Tunnel which turned out to be fortunate. A quick visit on the Net to "Drive Alive" and we got two nights accommodation plus breakfast and return ferry crossing Dover/Calais for just £167.
What great deals do you know about and can share?
If you don't know any tips to get a great deal, do you know a great location? If so spread the news as every saving helps.
And guys, don't forget to collect your Nectar points in the evening. If you don't your wife may not be happy!
Cheap Ski Holidays!
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