A new dawn, a new era

So the 2011 Grand Prix and Celtic Cup series have drawn to a close. These were the last series in their current form. What is the future for summer ski racing? Is this the end of an era or the start of an exciting new era?

I like to think the latter. Why? Well in the last few years summer ski racing in the UK has moved on. Gone are the days that dry slope racing attracted large numbers of participants. In 2011 there are now five indoor slopes that host ski races; the number of dry slopes that are either open or able to host quality racing is decreasing each month. Currently Pontypool is closed for the summer, Sunderland has recently been closed due to health issues and Rossendale is also closed pending further news! In short people want to ski on the surface that is closest to the real thing and that is the Indoor slopes. From the Regional races to the Club National races, these races attract racers and this is one reason why the future is Indoor for the racers looking to progress as far as they can in the sport of ski racing.

Numbers on the plastic races have been decreasing for a number of years. This is a fact. Ten years ago when Racer Ready started, Grand Prix's attracted big fields, fields of over 150 racers all throwing themselves down a dry slope. It was a big social occasion and families rocked up with BBQ's, picnics and a great day was had by all. The restrictions placed on slopes by Health and Safety operatives removing BBQ's from the slopes and other "ideas" certainly helped to detract people from attending the races at all levels.

Racing is now an event and to attract people to the sport, either to take part or spectate is vital for the future of the sport. It is not just the standard of race that has to appeal but added attractions need to be in place. Whether this is trade stands, added attractions or the price of nearby hotels, the appeal has to be worked on.

One thing that has been noticeable in 2011 has been the poor planning in terms of the race diary: Having two big races on the same day in the nearby vicinity is ludicrous (WGC & Bromley Club Nationals on the same weekend as the Milton Keynes British Indoor Grand Prix Series and also holding the Ipswich Club National on the same day as the last Celtic Cup weekend in Gloucester are just two examples).

The future is exciting as events like the recent race in Landgraaf showed there is interest in racing amongst the UK racers. Maybe an international team race at Landgraaf next year could be the way forward?

Dry slope racing is not going to disappear even if the Celtic Cup and GP series will be combining. The best parts of both series will be brought together: The GS in Pontypool and the Dual Slalom in Gloucester will be in the new British Outdoor Series. The news that Pendle will be extended to 180 metres means that they may be able to host top level mat races there for a few more years yet.

Indoor racing will now be its own series. Hopefully the organisers will bring news ideas like giving the winners of the series a prize of entry to the alpine races? This would give more winter snow racers an incentive to race in the summer and raise numbers and thus income.

So if you used to race and are thinking of the good times that you had and maybe are over 30 (ie a Master now) then relive the times and meet up with some of the old names and faces and go and race at the Master's Race at Chill Factore in September. It is not just a sport for the kids, the oldies can still have fun as well.

British Championships

Is the 2015 World Cup Finals going to Meribel good for British ski racing?

So FIS have announced that the 2015 World Cup Finals are going to the current location (and for more years than most British ski racers and their parents care to remember), Meribel, France. What are the implications for the British racers of this or should we even care? In many ways this could be great news for the FIS aged racers. Why do I say this?

1. Will this encourage more international racers to attend the GB Chgampionships?

This could very well happen as it has been a long time since the premier World Cup racers attended top level races in Meribel and many will need to learn the intricacies of the slopes. The Olympics in 1992 being the most obvious last big race. In 2009, the Swedish girls team attended the English Championships in Bormio just prior to the World Cup Finals there. Frida Hansdottir, Maria Pietiliae Holmner and one other all raced thus giving the girls a much improved penalty and showing them how far they had to go.

While the men have not had much problem in attracting good racers, the top racers, those in the top 25 in the world in their disciplines may now also be encouraged to race in Meribel giving an even lower penalty.

The downside of this is that this may limit the number of GB racers that can race in their own National Championships. The 2012 and 2013 championships may not be affected but you can be assured that a lot of top racers will be wanting to race in 2014....if the GB Championships are still there.

2. Expect the French Championships to move to Meribel for at least one year before 2015.

Will this mean that the GB Champs will be bumped? More than likely as the French will show the loyalty to their own national team rather than the country that has pumped more into the local economy than most football club chairman in the UK.

You can also expect that more French officials will available to officiate and help over the next few years as the resort look to ensure that they have all the officials trained up and ready to do a good job. Will this be to the detriment of British officials?

3. To ensure officials are all up to speed, four more years in Meribel for GB Champs.

Is this what British parents and racers want? The races have been there 6 years already, another four will make ten and that means that most racers will not have raced the GB Champs at any other resort in their careers? Can that be right? If you are a racer that likes the Stade then all well and good but many racers will have only done one downhill in their career, Meribel. This is hardly the most exciting or challenging one.

4. How many of the British racers will this benefit?

Currently only one racer may benefit from the knowledge gained over the years from racing in Meribel. Chemmy Alcott it is hoped will be at the 2015 World Cup Finals and with four more years of experience hopefully some of the men will be challenging for places at the World Cup Finals. The bigger picture is that the benefit to the British racers will be of more top line international racers attending the British Championships.

So would now be a a good time for British Ski & Snowboard to leave Meribel. Is it time to jump before they are pushed out? There are many reasons for going and many reasons for staying! What do GB racers and their parents think about this. Should one person hold sway as to staying in a resort for so long? Do we stay for the right or wrong reasons? A sponsors wish or the benefit of the racers? Is there a right or wrong answer....?