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NEMS Guidelines

New England Masters Participation Details

Please consult the Masters Competition Guide for more detailed information on USSA rules and regulations.

Membership Requirements 

Participants in New England Masters (NEMS) races have two requirements:

  1. ​New England Masters Annual Membership - $35
    1. See the NEMS Membership Guide to learn more about the membership and to determine if you will need to purchase one.
    2. To purchase an Annual Membership you will need to have an account on AdminSkiRacing (Click Here to get started)
  2. U.S. Ski & Snowboard (USSS) Masters License – Full: $135 / Short-Term: $35
    1. A USSS Masters license is required for any “sanctioned” race. 
    2. “Non-Sanctioned” races do not require a USSS Masters license. 

There are a few USSS licenses which will work for a Masters race. See complete list here.

  • Alpine Master: (Age 18 & over) - $135 (Most Common)
  • Alpine Master w/ Requirements: (Age 18 & over) - $150 (Select only if instructed)
  • Alpine Competitor: (U16 & over) - $185 (Contact Member Services to add Masters (free))
  • Short-Term Alpine Master (Age 18 & over) - $35 per day. See Guidelines:
    • May be purchased up to five consecutive days
    • Limit of one ST license purchase per person per season
    • Additional participation will require an upgrade to regular (full) license
    • Amount previously paid for ST license is applied towards upgrade during season

**For Short-Term licenses, before purchasing, please contact the NEMS RA ([email protected]). We might be able to provide a free license.**

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Registration: Membership & Races

Racers can purchase their Annual Membership, and register for races, camps, or other events all though: www.masters.adminskiracing.com. All racers are required to have an active account with AdminSkiRacing (ASR) in order to purchase their Annual Membership or to register for races, camps, or other events. There is no added cost to create an account and the setup process takes only a few minutes to complete. However, once you have an account, purchases and registration can be done with just a few clicks. 

  • To create an account on ASR: Click Here
  • For race registration instructions: Click Here (To be built)

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Race Registration Deadlines:

  • Racers have the ability to register, or unregister, for a race via AdminSkiRacing up until 12pm (Noon) one day before the race weekend, unless otherwise specified. So, for example, if a race is held on Saturday, the deadline to register, or unregister, would be 12pm (Noon) on Friday afternoon. 
  • There is no charge to register, or unregister, from a race if done before the deadline. 
  • Racers are not charged until after the event.
  • If a racer would like to register, or unregister, for a race after the event has closed, they may contact the NEMS RA (Lucy Blake). 
    • Exceptions after the deadline will be made on a best-efforts basis. 
  • Day-of-race (walk-in) registrations are allowed unless otherwise noted. Accommodation for day-of-race registrations is done on a best-efforts basis at the discretion of the NEMS RA. 
    • A Late Fee may be added to any racer who registers after the event’s online registration has closed.  
  • Racers who are registered for a race when online registration closes, but do not start in the race will be charged a Did Not Start (DNS) Fee. Please see the NEMS DNS Fee policy for more details.

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Entry Fee

Every event will have a stated Race Fee on the race registration page. The Race Fee includes all races for that day and a lift ticket. When applicable, NEMS will indicate if there is a discount for passholders where a specific race event is being held. Race Fees can vary between venues. Please see the NEMS Event Pricing policy for more details. 

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Race Day Timeframe:  

All times will be clearly listed on the Race Info Sheet and at the Race Registration Table

  • Race Registration begins at 7:30am. 
    • Details on location will be listed in the race’s Info Sheet. New racers are encouraged to show up early in case the RA has any paperwork for you to complete, and to ensure they have plenty of time to get ready and ask any questions. 
  • Inspection begins at 8:30am unless posted otherwise.  
    • Inspection lasts one hour, unless the hosting hill indicates otherwise.  
  • Race Start - The official start time for each race will be posted on the race’s Info Sheet, which can be located on the race registration page. 
    • Most races tend to begin between 9:30-10am depending on venue and race format. 
  • Awards – 1 Hour After Race Concludes
    • Awards location will be listed on the Race Info Sheet and at the Race Registration table

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Start Order

First and second run start order will alternate between the oldest women's and men’s classes through class 10, followed by all the remaining women’s and men’s classes – not alternating, from oldest to youngest. 

First run seeding within classes will be by the order of signup, among those entries received by the entry deadline. Late entrants will run last in their respective classes. Second run seeding will either be the same as the first run order or in reverse order of finish. 

Masters Age Classes

Class 1 Ages 18-29

Class 8 Ages 60-64

Class 2 Ages 30-34

Class 9 Ages 65-69

Class 3 Ages 35-39

Class 10 Ages 70-74

Class 4 Ages 40-44

Class 11 Ages 75-79

Class 5 Ages 45-49

Class 12 Ages 80-84

Class 6 Ages 50-54

Class 13 Ages 85-89

Class 7 Ages 55-59

Class 14 Ages 90+

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Scoring for the Sise Cup Series 

Sise Cup overall and class results are determined by scoring the individuals’ best nine races. Scoring for points on an overall basis are the same as class points except they are multiples of ten. 

Class Points

1st Place -  10pts.

2nd Place -   8pts.

3rd Place -   6pts.

4th Place -   4pts.

5th Place -   2pts.

 

Overall Points

1st Place -  100pts.

11th Place – 24pts.

21st Place – 10pts.

2nd Place -   80pts.

12th Place – 22pts.

22nd Place –  9pts.

3rd Place -   60pts.

13th Place – 20pts.

23rd Place –   8pts.

4th Place -   50pts.

14th Place – 18pts.

24th Place –   7pts.

5th Place -   45pts.

15th Place – 16pts.

25th Place –   6pts.

6th Place –  40pts.

16th Place – 15pts.

26th Place –   5pts.

7th Place -   36pts.

17th Place – 14pts.

27th Place –   4pts.

8th Place -   32pts.

18th Place – 13pts.

28th Place –   3pts.

9th Place -   29pts.

19th Place – 12pts.

29th Place –   2pts.

10th Place – 26pts.

20th Place – 24pts.

30th Place –   1pt.

If two or more racers are tied after their nine best races are counted, then the tie will be broken by whoever has the most firsts, then seconds, then thirds of the scored nine races. If still tied then the tie will be broken by going to each racer's tenth best result, then eleventh and so on until the tie has been broken. If still tied after all race finishes are counted, then they shall remain tied.

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Disqualifications

A list of racer disqualifications (DQs) will be posted at the score board unless indicated otherwise.  Please consult your USSS Masters Competition Guide for how a racer can be disqualified during a race.  A few common instances have been outlined below as described in the USSS competitor’s handbook for your convenience. 

IMPORTANT - Racers who were disqualified, or who DNF, in the first run of a SL or GS are allowed to ski in the next run for New England Masters.

Official Start Procedure 

GS, SG, DH: ​Ten seconds before the start the starter will tell the racer: “ten seconds”. Then five seconds before the start he will count “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” and then give the command “go”. The racer may start within the interval from 5 seconds before to 5 seconds after the command “go”. A start more than 5 seconds early is a false start and subject to sanction. 

SL: ​When the course is clear the starter gives the racer the warning, “ready”, and a few seconds later the start signal “go”. The competitor must start within 10 seconds after this start signal “go”. 

***These procedures may differ on occasion and it is recommended that racers pay attention to how the starter signals the forerunners or prior racers before their start. 

Late Start 

A competitor will be sanctioned for appearing late for his or her start. Race juries at Masters races may waive this rule and allow the competitor to start later in their class or at the end of the start order.  

Completion of Gate

  • A competitor will be disqualified if he/she fails to cross the (gate) line between the inside and outside poles of the gate with both ski tips and both feet.
  • In the event a pole has been knocked out (removed from its vertical position) and not replaced, the competitors ski tips and both feet must pass across the original gate line as defined by marking in the snow.

Crossing Finish Line 

The finish line must be crossed on both skis or on one ski or with both feet in case of a fall in the immediate finish area. In this case the time is taken when any part of the competitor’s body or equipment stops the timing system. 

Interference 

If a competitor feels that he or she has suffered from interference on the course, he or she must stop immediately and ski out of the course and request a provisional rerun from any jury member or jury advisor, explaining the specific problem and location. The jury will give immediate instruction. The jury will determine the validity of the claim in a subsequent meeting, according to the rules relating to reruns.

Grounds for interference include blocking of the course by an official, a spectator, an animal, or other obstruction; blocking of the course by a fallen competitor who did not clear the course soon enough; objects in the course such as a lost ski pole or the ski of a previous competitor; activities of the first aid service which obstruct the racer; absence of a gate knocked down by a previous competitor and not promptly replaced; other similar incidents beyond the will and control of the competitor, which cause significant loss of speed or a lengthening of the racing line and subsequently affect the competitor’s time; malfunction of the timekeeping system; interruption of a DH run by an official in a “yellow zone”.  

Binding Release 

A binding release occurring more than two gates above the finish in SL, GS, or Super-G or one gate in DH shall be considered a “clear disqualification”. Racers may not continue on the course. Juries may waive this rule in advance. A racer may not accept outside help in any form during a race.  A racer may finish a race on one ski from the last gate to the finish in GS, Super-G and SL.

Protective Equipment 

All body protection, except shin guards for SL and forearm guards must be worn under the suit. This includes knee braces. 

Helmets 

Helmets designed and manufactured for the particular discipline of ski racing are required for all competitors.  They must cover the head and ears.  Helmets with spoilers or edges that stick out are not permitted.  Protective features integral to the discipline, such as a slalom bar on slalom helmets are permitted.  Soft ear protection is only permitted for helmets used in slalom. Helmet mounted cameras are not allowed, and the mount must be dismantled prior to racing. 

Beginning in 2021-22 – Racers participating in GS, SG, or DH must wear a helmet which “conforms to the FIS Specification RH 213” standard. Helmets conforming to the FIS standard will have a clearly visibly FIS certification sticker on the back of the helmet. For more information, please see the Masters Equipment Rules. 

Explicit Language 

Competitors need to control foul language. An ejection from the race by an official can result if language is considered offensive.  USSA races are held at family resorts and competitors should always seek to set a good example. Let’s keep it clean out there!

Hiking

Speed Events: ​There is no hiking in Super-G or Downhill events. 

Slalom:  H​iking is permitted in Slalom events.  When there is no outside panel and a gate is missed by the racer they must circle the gate to complete a 360 degree circumnavigation of the pole.  If the full loop is not completed the racer will be disqualified.  If there is an outside gate then only the plane must be broken between the two gates.  Please consult the USSA competitor’s manual for additional details.

Giant Slalom:  U​SSS scored races (n​ot ​Masters’ races) prohibit hiking.  Masters races are not “scored” for USSS points, so this would not apply; however, New Hampshire has advised that NHARA has adopted its own rule prohibiting hiking i​n all races in NH. ​ Masters’ races permit hiking in all GS events unless the race is in NH and the TD insists on applying the NHARA rule.  If racing in NH please consult the registration desk for information on hiking rules in GS.  In addition, if hiking is not permitted it will be posted on a board at registration. 

In addition, when there is no outside gate in GS the racer must circumnavigate the panel.  If the racer does not complete a 360 degree circle around the gate they will be disqualified.  Please consult the USSA competitor’s manual for additional details.

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Ski Requirements 

There are no ski length requirements for Masters races. It is, however, recommended that racers use skis which are appropriate for a specific race discipline.