Far West Skiing

All clinics will be held virtually for the 2022 season. Exams will be available via approved proctor set up through Lucy Conklin, Far West AO Chair.

We are in the 2022 competition season. If your membership shows your last update prior to the 2020 season, you will be required to attend an alpine review and update prior to participating as an official this season. If you are uncertain how to find your last update on your membership card, you can also check the officials status excel linked on the Far West Officials page.

All study guides for the 2022 season are posted on the Far West Officials page found here.

The following clinics have been scheduled, with further clinics to follow

Alpine Review and Updates:
sign up here on fw site.
Saturday, November 6^th at 4pm
Tuesday, November 16^th at 6pm
 

Courses
Sign up here on fw site.
If you are planning on taking multiple courses i.e. d RA1 & RA2 you will need to submit twice, one for each course.

Referee
Saturday, November 6^th at 8am
Saturday November 20th at 8am
We will provide a minimum of two more courses prior to Jan 1^st.
Any coaches needing to take the level 100 certification may take their level 100 and ref certification via the US Ski and Snowboard moodle process.
Please note that any newly certified referees will also need to complete 2 shadow assignments during the 2022 season in order to finalize their referee certification.

TnC 1
Saturday, November 6^th at 8am

RA
Saturday, November 13^th: Part 1 at 8am, Part 2 at noon

TD Workshop for current TD’s and approved TD candidates
This is required each year for TDs.
Sign up here on fw website.
TD candidates must contact Lucy [email protected] Prior to signing up.
Wednesday, November 10^th at 6pm

If you are attending a full course to take an exam, you will not need to attend the review and update. If you are trying to keep a certification current, you are only required to attend the alpine review and update, yet you can attend a course as a refresher if interested. You will be able to choose if you are taking an exam at the time of reg

Far West virtual dates not working with your schedule? Please reach out to me for other dates available in different divisions/regions.

Kayla Wieczorek, Divisional Manager
Far West Skiing
P.O. Box 2664
Truckee, CA 96160
530-721-1929
www.fwskiing.org

October 15th Deadline is approaching!

Register now to beat the late fee deadline. Go to my.usskiandsnowboard.org, login and click renew member on the left in the My Account box. We recommend you logout in between transactions if registering or renewing multiple members. Don’t forget, if you can’t find the membership category you’re looking for it may already be pre-populated in your cart on the right. Here are a few more hints and tips.

• If you are uncertain of what level of membership should be selected, contact your coach or club to see what they recommend. Memberships are always upgradable but cannot be downgraded.
• Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Please reach out to us via email at [email protected]org or by phone on 435-647-2666 or online. We are available Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm Mountain Standard Time. Saturday coverage begins on Oct. 1, 2021.

This year we will not be having our fall convention in person. Coaches education will be available from US Ski and Snowboard education department. Officials education will be virtual and in person and will be available around mid October.

Please have patience and understanding as all these courses are being created and tested still. Once programs are released, you will receive notification from me or US Ski and Snowboard on how to access them.

If you have any questions please contact:
Kayla Wieczorek, Divisional Manager
Far West Skiing
P.O. Box 2664
Truckee, CA 96160
530-721-1929
www.fwskiing.org

Far West Skiing would like to congratulate the following athletes for their outstanding work in the classroom and on the hill throughout the challenging 2021 spring semester! Each of these athletes earned a 3.5 or higher GPA and competed as a U16 or older athlete. Congratulations!!

August 18, 2021

The Far West Skiing, Inc. Board of Directors is thrilled to announce that Kayla Wieczorek (“wi-chor-ek”) has been hired as its Divisional Manager.  Kayla will be responsible for administering all aspects of Far West alpine racing in coordination with the division’s coaches, clubs, and volunteers in service to all Far West athletes and their families. Kayla brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to the position.

Kayla grew up ski racing in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a Bachelor’s of Applied Sciences focused on outdoor leadership and team building. Kayla is committed to the importance of sport in the life-long development of our young athletes. She coached various age groups during her six years with the Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation, taking on great responsibility with the FIS group during her inaugural year, followed by on- and off-snow coaching engagements with U10/12s, 14s, 16s and Masters as a Level 300 coach. Her experience and expertise as a coach, race official and jury member will serve her well. Kayla’s mentor and legendary coach Konrad Rickenbach says, “The opportunity to work with her has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my 45 years of ski coaching. Her positive attitude, work ethic and respect for others sets her apart from many other young people.”

The outgoing Divisional Manager, Lucy Conklin, has worked extensively with Kayla in recent years, commenting, “Kayla is an outstanding selection to lead the Far West going forward. She has a full package of coaching and officiating certifications, a positive demeanor, and seeks out answers to help all that are involved in the sport. I am excited to have her on board!”

Far West Skiing Board President Laurey Carlson extended a warm greeting, stating “We are so excited to have Kayla join Far West Skiing as our new Divisional Manager. She brings to the position tremendous experience from the world of Alpine Ski Racing. Her positive, compassionate nature and enthusiasm for a job well done make Kayla ideal for her new role. Welcome to the organization, Kayla!”

Kayla jumped right in, starting August 17^th to learn the division’s procedures. She reports, “I am eager and excited for this opportunity to gain new skills and work with Far West officials, parents, athletes, and coaches.”

**All inquiries can be directed to the Far West via email: [email protected]

Far West Ski Team

The Far West Ski Team (FWST) recognizes the top racers in the Far West. THe FWST has a maximum size of twelve. The 2021-2022 FWST will be comprised of 7 men and 5 women. This gender split will be adjusted annually based on SR, U21 and U18 gender population from teh last membership list from the prior season received by the Far West office from U.S. Ski and Snowboard.

To be eligible to the FWST, a competitor must:

1. Fulfill all U.S. Ski & Snowboard, FWS and FIS (if age eligible) membership requirements by September 1.
2. Have an F number
3. Have competed in U.S. Ski & Snowboard /Far West and Western Region FIS races or Nor Am or have attended the U16 Junior Championships in the previous season, as a Far West member.
4. College athletes who are members of their school’s team are not eligible for the FWST.
5. Must be participating with a full-time program registered with the Far West.
6. Srs must submit intent to compete to the Far West office by September 1^st to be eligible for the FWST.
7. Have less than 90 points in two disciplines, if a male competitor
8. Have less than 100 points in two disciplines, if a female competitor

Automatic qualifiers for the FWST
If an athlete is the winner of a discipline title or overall champion at the WR Jr Championships.
Athletes must complete a contract commitment by the response deadline, as prescribed by the Far West office.

The ACC, using modified International Team Selection Board method, selects the FWST from the July 2021 U.S. Ski & Snowboard points list, the last published list for 2021 season. Eligible competitors are listed by points in each discipline. Going from left to right, and top to bottom on the list, a competitor is selected for the FWST when he/she shows up the second time. Current US Ski Team members (A, B, C and Development) are not eligible for the FWST.

Additional automatic qualifiers to the FWST: U16 Jr Championship discipline or overall winners from the previous season are additionally named to the team of twelve.

All FWST members must submit a signed “Far West Ski Team Contract,” supply a coach’s contact that is registered with a Far West program and a jpeg photo by the designated deadline in order to receive the following FWST benefits:

1. Free lifts at all U.S. Ski & Snowboard /Far West races
2. Free entries at all U.S. Ski & Snowboard /Far West races
3. FWST uniform
4. FWST Pass for free skiing at participating Far West Ski areas
5. FWST members will receive a day for day credit for races attended from designated U.S. Ski & Snowboard towards entries to the Western Region FIS Elite Spring Series (Up to 6 races)

Note: The above rules are for the selection of the 2021/2022 FWST only. Due to factors outside the control of the Far West, such as publication dates for future year’s U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership and point’s lists, the selection procedure is reviewed, revised if necessary, and approved by the FW ACC in the summer for inclusion in each year’s manual.

Far West Pace Team

The Far West Pace Team (FWPT) is designed to encourage low points racers to attend Far West/U.S. Ski & Snowboard races. An athlete may be a member of both the FWST and the FWPT. The FWPT has a maximum size of 12, for the 21-22 season this will be 7 men and 5 women. This gender split will be adjusted annually based on SR, U21 and U18 gender population from the last membership list from the prior season received by the Far West office from U.S. Ski & Snowboard.

To be eligible for the FWPT, a competitor must:

1. Fulfill all U.S. Ski & Snowboard, FWS and FIS membership requirements by September 30.
2. Have an F or X number
3. Must be participating with a full-time program registered with Far West.
4. Srs and all X competitors must submit “Intent to Compete” to the Far West Office by September 15^th to be eligible for the FWPT.
5. Have less than 85 points in one discipline, if a male competitor
6. Have less than 105 points in one discipline, if a female competitor

Athletes must complete a contract commitment by the response deadline, as prescribed by the Far West office. This contract will include a commitment to race in at least 6 U.S. Ski & Snowboard /Far West races.

The ACC, using a modified International Team Selection Board method, selects the FWPT from the October 2021 U.S. Ski & Snowboard points list, the 7th list published for the 2021-2022season. Foreign competitors with an X license will be added to this selection only if they have submitted intent to Compete to the divisional office by September 15^th and have completed their U.S. Ski & Snowboard /FW and FIS membership requirements. Eligible competitors are listed by points in each discipline. Going from left to right, and top to bottom on the list, a competitor is selected for the FWPT when he/she shows up on the boards the first time. Current US Ski Team members (A, B, C and Development) are not eligible for the FWPT.

All FWPT members must submit a signed “Far West Pace Team Contract,” signed “Credit Card Authorization,” supply a coach’s contact that is registered with a Far West program, and a jpeg photo by the designated deadline in order to receive the following FWPT benefits:

1. Free lifts at all U.S. Ski & Snowboard /Far West races
2. Free entries at all U.S. Ski & Snowboard /Far West races
3. FWPT Pass for free skiing at all participating Far West Ski areas
4. FWPT members will receive a day for day credit for races attended from designated U.S. Ski & Snowboard or Far West Divisional FIS races, towards entries to the Western Region FIS Elite Spring Series (up to six races)

Note: The above rules are for the selection of the 2021/2022 FWPT only. Due to factors outside the control of the Far West, such as publication dates for future year’s U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership and point’s lists, the selection procedure is reviewed, revised if necessary, and approved by the FW ACC in the summer for inclusion in each year’s manual.

Lucy (Schram) Conklin has announced her resignation as Divisional Manager of Far West Skiing, Inc. She dutifully served as the vital coordinator in the Far West for 13 years, having had a tremendous impact on the region. As a race administrator, her expertise, quick wit and humor always kept races running smoothly and race officials entertained. She is an expert on all things ski racing, an impression magnified by her extensive extra work at the national level as Chair of the Alpine Officials Working Group and her drafting of USSS policy in coordination with other divisions and USSS personnel.

”When I think of the Far West Division, I think of Lucy! Working with Lucy has been an absolute delight. She is the quintessential professional and guardian angel all rolled into one person. Her skills and knowledge base have been what makes the Far West Division run with clockwork precision. I am excited for her next chapter, but I will miss her dearly,” said Far West Skiing Board President and Mammoth Mountain General Manager Laurey Carlson.

According to Bill Hudson, Director of Teams & Competition Services at Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows who worked closely with Lucy: “Lucy knows all the answers, and she picks up for every coach, parent, athlete, or official who calls. Lucy’s hard work, leadership, and smile have been essential in developing our incredibly strong community in the Far West.”

The accolades extend far beyond the Far West Division. Lucy was instrumental in driving forward the Far West Development Initiative to promote consistency in coaching, which was integrated by many coaches nationally. Lucy will continue to share her expertise through national roles supporting USSS in drafting policies for officials education and competition. As Western Region Director Bill Gunesch says, “Lucy Conklin is one of those rare individuals who has worked tirelessly to promote the sport of ski racing, taking on numerous governance roles as the Far West Manager and the regional ACC Secretary, and numerous event responsibilities as a Technical Delegate, Race Administrator and Chief of Timing.  More importantly, Lucy has always fought for the athletes, and promoted fairness and equality.  She has been a wonderful resource for many, and for me, a very important voice of stability.”

Alpine Technical Subcommittee Chair Doug Hall adds, ”Lucy instills confidence, knowledge and enjoyment in all she does. She is the embodiment of having fun while performing an outstanding job!”

The Far West Board of Directors extends its deepest gratitude to Lucy for her dedicated, professional service to the Division. She has been an essential part of the success of the Far West Division for over a decade as we have cultivated dozens of athletes for promotion to the US Ski Team and dozens of university teams. Her unending dedication in supporting our Far West athletes to maximize their accomplishments in skiing and in life are unmatched, and we will miss her beyond words.

Interested candidates in this vacant position please see job posting at:

https://fwskiing.org/content/job-postings

The US Ski and Snowboard Congress wrapped up on Friday, May 21st. Many working groups and committees meet throughout the year and Congress is the time for rule proposals to be approved or declined. Here are a few items that will affect our athletes and areas in the 2022 season.

Helmets: NO Helmet camera mounts may be worn. Helmets shall have no spoilers nor protruding parts. 

U14 athletes will not be allowed to qualify for the U16 Nationals.

U18 age class: US SKi and Snowboard will return to the U18 age class to match the FIS.

US Ski and Snowboard will host a U18 Nationals starting in the 2022 season.

Regional FIS racing will be scheduled with a 2 Tier system. Athletes will qualify from head to head competition at a Development FIS series in order to qualify for an Elite FIS Series. There will be an initial list of 'automatics' to the Elite FIS and athletes can ski themselves onto the automatics list by winning a devo FIS race.

Race Organization:
After a season of practicing Online Team Captains meetings and virtual communications out of necessity we now will have the option to continue to use these methods. Rules have been updated allowing Organizers the option of hosting their Team Captains meetings online((U604.3). The 2nd update is that the 'official posting board' can be a virtual platform, U671.2.1 (live-timing, what's app, team app, etc.).