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.