Alpine Racing

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Starter/Assistant Starter

Why: To make sure each racer starts at the appropriate time, and in the same way.

Requirements: Ability to function under pressure with a smile on your face, willingness to yell out the starting order, concentration to follow exact rules and protocols.

Advantages: You get to see all the racers in the start and some on the course

Disadvantages: You might get cold, and if the timing doesn't work (by no fault of your own) everyone will be staring at you.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes

Do I have to ski? Not if you don't mind a long walk

Start Referee

Why: To make sure each racer starts at the appropriate time, and in the same way.

Requirements: USSA Officials Card. Ability to function under pressure with a smile on your face, willingness to yell out the starting order, concentration to follow exact rules and protocols.

Advantages: You get to see all the racers in the start and many on the course

Disadvantages: You might get cold, and if the timing doesn't work (by no fault of your own) you may have to sing and dance while you try to get it working again.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes

Do I have to ski? Not if you don't mind a long walk

Hand Timer/Hand Time Recorder

Why: To provide a safety net (which we often use) for the timing system

Requirements: Concentration, ability to read a stopwatch and write down the result even in cold weather. Not to tinker with the stopwatch.

Advantages: Witty banter with your co-hand timer.

Disadvantages: You might get cold

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes, but you may be so focused on what you are doing you don't notice.

Do I have to ski? Finish Hand Timer: No. Start Hand Timer: Yes

Mid-Course Radio

Why: To make sure the race is safe, fair, and efficient.

Requirements: Ability to take direction, good observational skills, concentration.

Advantages: You get to see every racer ski by, you normally get a good break in between runs.

Disadvantages: You have to stay in one place, and you may get cold.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Absolutely, you get to see everyone ski.

Do I have to ski? Not, if you don't mind a long walk.

Finish Referee

Why: To make sure we properly record who crosses the finish line.

Requirements: Willingness to learn rules and protocols, and get a USSA Officials Card.

Advantages: You get to see all the racers while chatting with hand timers.

Disadvantages: You might get cold and you may be asked to take on additional tasks since your job will be perceived as easy.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes

Do I have to ski? No

Course Maintenance

Why: To make the race safe and fair for every racer

Requirements: Physically demanding, must be a good skier, must take initiative during the race based on an understanding of what is needed.

Advantages: Active, get to see the whole course, more likely to get overheated than cold.

Disadvantages: Long day, little or no lunch break, early load onto the lift (7:30 am) for most races.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Possibly, but not definitely. Since you should be constantly looping around on the course, your job may require you to be on the lift when your racer skis.

Do I have to ski? Yes, quite well.

Gate Judge (a/k/a Gate Keeper)

Why: To make sure the race is fair and that every racer follows the same course

Requirements: Ability to take direction, good observational skills, ability to serve as the equivalent of witness in a trial if your observations are contested.

Advantages: You get to see every racer ski by, you normally get a good break in between runs.

Disadvantages: You have to stay in one place, and you may get cold

Do I get to see my kid ski? Absolutely, you get to see everyone ski.

Do I have to ski? No

Chief Gate Judge

Why: To oversee, organize, train, and if necessary recruit, gate judges

Requirements: Knowledge of gate judging, sense of humor, calm demeanor.

Advantages: You will get to see almost all of the race.

Disadvantages: You may have a few frantic moments in your day.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes

Do I have to ski? Yes

Chief Registrar and Registrar (Race Registration)

Why: To verify racer eligibility and identity, collect race fees, and handle race bibs. Chief Registrar is responsible for cash box and for ensuring that all bibs are accounted for at the end of the day.

Requirements: Concentration, ability to function under pressure. Ability to answer questions amiably and with authority, or direct people to somebody else amiably, and then if they are still there, to tell them buzz off equally amiably, so you can deal with the next kid in line.

Advantages: Race Registration is an inside job.

Disadvantages: You may feel overwhelmed for short periods of time in the morning, you will be one of the first people at the race site and among the last to leave.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes

Do I have to ski? No

* * The Scoreboard and Registrar are combined jobs. After handling the morning rush, registrars will take turns at the scoreboard and accepting bib returns.

Scoreboard

Why: To post individual racer times, with the greatest possible accuracy.

Requirements: Concentration, ability to function under pressure. Mathematical ability helpful. Ability to answer or deflect questions amiably, and tell people to buzz off equally amiably.

Advantages: You get a great view of the race when you are not madly writing.

Disadvantages: You may feel overwhelmed for short periods of time, especially if it's tough to hear the times due to wind, weather, or unruly mobs.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes, usually.

Do I have to ski? No

Timing Shack (1 Head Timer, 1 Recorder, 1 Computer Operator)

Why: To accurately measure and record the time on course for each racer.

Requirements: Ability to function under pressure, absolute concentration, some technical ability, understanding the use and a set up of the equipment, willingness to apprentice for the position.

Advantages: You are warm, challenged, and "the day goes by incredibly quickly"

Disadvantages: You may not "see" a lot of the race

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes, but you may be so focused on what you are doing you don't notice.

Do I have to ski? No

Announcer

Why: To keep the crowd and the scoreboard operator informed of each racer's time.

Requirements: A desire to be ski racing's John Madden . . . just joking, actually, none in particular, but a basic grasp of the English language is an asset.

Advantages: You are warm and people are hanging on your every word

Disadvantages: You may not "see" a lot of the race, and you will have to live with the knowledge that despite the fact you tried your best, you mangled a quarter of the names.

Do I get to see my kid ski? Yes, but you may be so focused on what you are doing you don't notice.

Do I have to ski? No

 

© 2008 Ford Sayre Memorial Ski Council. All rights reserved.