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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

Shortcomings in the current Seeding System?

If you haven't already read it then I would recommend Des Pirkoffer's article on the English Ski Council Seeding System. It can be found at :

http://www.uksportsresource.co.uk/skiing/seeding.html

Currently Club National Races, with three runs over the same course, have a minimum 10 point penalty. Grand Prix and Celtic Cup races with two runs over two courses have a minimum 5 point penalty, as do some other races on the International Race weekends. The International Races have a zero race penalty.

It was my understanding that the races would normally be more challenging as the level of event progressed. Unfortunately, over the years, there has often been little or no difference between courses on Club Nationals to those set on International Races, to the disappointment of the more senior or accomplished racers.

If this is the case, is there a valid reason for imposing a minimum penalty on any particular race? Frequently sub 10 point racers compete in Club Nationals and the calculated race penalty is less than 10. If, for example, the penalty was calculated at 1, then all the racers are disadvantaged by 9 points when the 10 point minimum is applied. What are the arguments in favour of this? Is this system out dated or are there alternatives?

One could say that if the penalty becomes a minus figure then that acts in the favour of the trailing racers.

Is there any case for imposing a minimum 10 point penalty on racers with less than 10 points and the remainder of the racers receiving their race point plus the actual penalty?

This would ensure that the top racers do not qualify for their lowest points on the races which are generally easier to finish and the chasing racers would still be able to realise their relative points.

What then of the " 5 point" races? Some minimum penalty would have to remain to avoid too many zero point races giving rise to the possibility of too many zero point racers.

It appears that presently we have too many male skiers on very low points which does not truly represent the real differential between them and the very best. This situation has arisen because only a few races have been contested by the top racers over the last few years leading to some inconsistencies.

Whilst the present system which has been around for quite sometime is very good is there room for improving it still further?

Club Nationals and sub 10 point racers

This season Club National event entry lists and results are showing a large number of sub 10 point racers taking part. While everyone enjoys watching and appreciates the skills of these accomplished racers, is their presence good or bad for the majority of racers in these events?

Racers, organisers, seeders and spectators may all have different views on the subject. What is your view? Do these sub 10 point racers deny or hamper the racers ,at whom this level of race is aimed, from achieving their true or even their false Seed Points?

Is the 10 point minimum penalty there to discourage the top racers from taking part or does it reflect the level of course and skill needed to ski an easier slalom course where the racer can have three attempts?

Do the sub 10 point racers take part for the fun, because they are there and have incurred the expense to travel for a Grand Prix or is it to make it more difficult for the opposition to reduce their Seed Points as the penalty may inflate the base point by up to 10?

What are your views or explanations about this? Let's have an open discussion.

Dry Slope Ski Racing UK

Welcome to Ski Racing Blog. The Celtic Cups at Rossendale have come and gone, as have the Bromley Club National and Hemel CN and Grand Prix. Already there have been some outstanding performances on good, poor and controversial courses. Personally I thought the first GP course at Hemel was far too easy for that level of event and the Course Setters should wake up to the fact that there are a lot of great racers out there using skis that cope with quick and big turns. Those guys need a challenge. By the second GP run they got that challenge which certainly kept the attention of the spectators. OK so a lot went out, perhaps "that gate" was two diamonds too wide, perhaps it sorted out the skiers from the blasters. What do you think? Have your say, let's have your views which might even help improve our races. Here, you the racers, can have your say for all the organisers, officials, selectors, course setters, ski equipment suppliers and anyone connected to our sport to read what you think, and respond in words or deeds. Here you may have the opportunity to help improve our sport on plastic and snow. Speaking of snow, what do you like, dislike or completely hate about the races, the venues, the rules? What would you like changed or what, where, who, would you like to praise?

This is your blog so get blogging.