Far West Races

Note: for 2009-2010 we are switching from 10-year age classes to the standard USSA masters 5-year age classes; material on this page has *not* yet been completely updated to reflect the change. So whenever you see "10-year" change it in your brain to "5-year". We *are* continuing with the Open class.

Here's the really quick summary of the Far West Masters race procedures:
  • 10-year age classes (20's, 30's, ...,80's) 5-year age classes (21-29, 30-34, 35-39,...); 18-20 is "class 18"
  • second run start order: slowest-to-fastest within class
  • second run Open class starts between 50's and 40's (top 10 men, top 5 women) (between class 6 and 5)
  • first-run DNF/DSQ can run at end of their class on second run
  • see below for current Far West Membership Report (16-Mar-2010)
Quick summary of Split Second techniques (described in detail in SST FWM checklist):  Not yet updated for 5-year age classes!

Quick links to FWM downloads for use with Split Second:

  • FWM Master Race Entry File for SST - SST data file only
  • FWM Master Race Entry File for SST + instructions - SST data file + instructions and membership reports
     (last updated 16-Mar-2010)
  • FWM Master Race Entry File for SST - SST data file only (for Ski Club version of Split Second
    Not encouraged but.... The standard Ussa version of Split Second is strongly recommended, it is more suitable for Masters races. But if you really can only use the Club version, here's the setup file. Use an X in the custom Reg field we've provided to mark entries (vs. Club field that's normally used), otherwise follow same procedures and use Team field for class start order sorting. This file will be created on request, contact us if you need this.

Contents

Far West Membership Report

The membership report is used for race registration and checkin. It lists all recently active members in the Far West masters membership database with bib numbers and current dues status for Far West membership and USSA masters license. The report is generated directly from the Far West Masters membership database and correlated with license data from USSA.

Current report (16-Mar-2010)

Far West membership dues status is updated frequently (often weekly during the early part of the season). USSA license status is updated for this report from monthly USSA reports.

For the most current information on USSA masters license status, use the Member Lookup feature on the USSA Alpine web site:

Far West Race Codes Report

USSA race codes for 2009-2010 Far West Masters competitions:

To check the race code assigned by USSA, use the Race Lookup feature on the USSA Alpine web site:

Race code lookup tips: set Sport to Alpine, set Month, optionally set State to CA or NV if you want additional filter on location, set Event Type to M - Masters, set Division to F - Far West, then click Go to run race lookup search. If no hits, you can try changing Event Type to N - Non Scored - occasionally paperwork has gone through categorized as unscored USSA race rather than Masters.

NOTE: A race code is assigned upon completion of the USSA Schedule Agreement, which must be submitted by the race organizer for a competition to be sanctioned on the USSA calendar as a masters competition. This is essential for liability and secondary accident insurance coverage of the event.

Far West Masters Race Operations Summary

The Far West division runs masters races using 10-year age groups (20's, 30's, ..., 80's) 5-year age classes. A special "open seed" class is introduced for the second run, consisting of the fastest 5 women and 10 men from the first run. Second run start order is by reverse order of first run time within age classes.

The following two documents summarize the race operations rules for the Far West Masters (age classes, start order, SST procedures) and the Split Second coding conventions:

Clarification on under-21 racers: Masters racers according to USSA rules are aged 21 and up. We welcome younger racers to compete with us, but in fairness to our regular masters competitors the following procedures are followed for under-21 racers:

  • regular masters class 20 includes masters competititors 21..29
  • New class 18 includes racers age 18..20 (born 1989-91)
  • Class 00 is used for any competitors under 18 (unusual but ok!)
  • the under-21 classes start after the respective W20 and M20 age classes
  • competitors under age 21 are not eligible for masters age class awards
  • competitors under age 21 are not eligible to compete in the open class

Running a Far West Masters Race using Split Second Timing Software

For a detailed description of the procedures for running a Far West masters race using the standard USSA Alpine Race Scoring software from Split Second Timing:

(This detailed age class coding description is more information than most readers want or need. The FWM Age Classes Summary provided in the preceding section on Race Operations is sufficient for most purposes and provides a better summary - just do it the way that document describes!)

We recommend starting from a master race entry data file when working with the Split Second timing software. The FW master race entry data file contains the current members of the FW masters, with their correct birthdate, age class, USSA license, and bib numbers already entered.

Click the link above to download a ZIP file containing the FWM master entry race file, along with the current membership reports and copies of the procedure checklist and age class coding convention documents. Unpack the zip file and store the FWM master race entry file FWMasters-MasterRaceEntry.xml in your SplitSecond race data files directory, then follow the instructions in the procedures checklist for setting up the race and editing the competitor data. (Note: The standard location for Split Second data files is in your Windows My Documents folder, stored on your hard drive at c:\My Documents\SplitSecond\Alpine and Snowboard).

A description of the FW Masters leader bibs awarded to the top men and women racers of each season is given in:

FWM Procedure Summary

Not yet updated for 5-year age classes! Note: this section has not yet been fully updated for the 2010 change to 5-year age classes

For 2010, you can now use the standard Split Second sort function for "Running Order by Class" for the 5-year masters age class start order. However, be aware that the 70's and 80's class order is not currently correct - per the Masters's Comp Guide, classes 14 (90+) down to class 11 run in descending age class order, alternating by W/M; followed by all other women W10-W1, and then all other men M10-M1.

The Far West Masters OPEN class starts between 50's and 40's on the second run (between classes 6 and 5) - be sure to change the Class field to OP before generating the second run start order; manually move the OP classes into proper start order after using the Split Second sort for masters running order on slowest-to-fastest first run time.

To set up a race after you have downloaded the master race entry race file, copy and rename the race data file suitably. Process race entries by marking each registered racer with an X in the Club/Quota field. When all race entries have been processed and you are ready to generate entry and start lists, remove unregistered racers from the Competitors list: sort using the Club/Quota field, select all racers who aren't registered (blank Club field), and delete them from the competitor list.

To set up a race, download and set the current Masters points list in your race data file and then use the standard Split Second competitor insert operation to enter competitors. You will need to assign bib numbers according to the Far West permanent bib numbers, which competitors should indicate on their entry form; use the Active Racers Report for a complete list of recent FWM members and their current bib assignments.

New and temporary racers will be given temporary bibs for the weekend numbered 900+; available bib numbers are provided by the FW Race Coordinator for the weekend.

To sort into class start order, simply sort in ascending order using the Team field, which contains a sort code simply sort in 5-year masters age class order using the Split Second Sort order Running Order by Class and then check/correct start order for classes 14, 13, 12, 11.

First run start order is random within class: randomize the entry list (preferably several times), then sort into class start order using the Team field.

Second run start order is in reverse order of first run finish within class (i.e., slowest to fastest). Racers are assigned to the second run open seed classes by changing their class to OP and assigning a sort code letter in the Team field of G or GOP for the Women's Open class and O or OOP for the Men's Open class, so that the Open classes run after the 50's and before the 40's classes in the standard age class start order (between classes 6 and 5).

For second run, sort by descending first run time to get fastest-to-slowest, then select qualified racers and sort them into class start order using the Team field. First-run DNF/DSQ racers must then moved to the end of their class, where they are allowed to take a (non-scored) second run at the discretion of the TD and race jury. (See FW procedures checklist for details)

Links and Contacts

US Ski Association - Alpine Masters - USSA masters information, links to timing software and points list downloads, member lookup, etc
Split Second Timing - the standard USSA alpine timing software
TimingGuys.com - discussion boards for timing topics
Glaivestone Software - ACES - ACE Scoring masters software

Contact Information
Deb Lewis
Director of Race Services and Scoring, Far West Masters
Email: Deb Lewis