A CP Ski Tournament is a one-day extravaganza of competitions and special activities. As a minimum, the Tournament is expected to include an individual sprint race (Mad Dash), a terrain park relay and several other activities. These additional activities might include a treasure hunt, three-legged race, monster skis race, on-snow orienteering contest, Beat the Field, opening and closing ceremonies, etc.
The Mad Dash (individual sprint race) for this age range begins with a draw to determine the start positions of the skiers. Following are the “elimination heats”, which should not have more than four skiers each. The two fastest skiers from each heat move forward to the next round. The remaining skiers in that heat may move to a consolation round at the discretion of the organizers.
A Terrain Park Relay has teams of three or four persons and follows the same basic rules that traditional relays do. The first skiers from each team start at the same time, and then hand off to the next skier at the end of the first leg. This continues until each member of the team has completed the prescribed course.
For detailed information on how to organize a Ski Tournament refer to the new NCCP Community Coaching Reference Material (cross-country skiing), pages 382 - 384. For more information on special activities and games that are appropriate for this activity, refer to the same manual, pages 92-100 and the NCCP Introduction to Community Coaching Reference Material (cross-country skiing), pages 128-134 (2004 version) or pages 135-142 (2008 version).
Who is Eligible to Host CP Ski Tournaments?
CCC member clubs.
How to Apply?
To be eligible to host a CP Ski Tournament, a club must submit a brief proposal that includes an outline of the activities planned (relays, age categories offered, aggregate award, treasure hunt, etc.). The date and location of the event, the registration fee (if any), the name of the club, and a contact for the Ski Tournament Organizing Committee (name, phone number, email and postal address) should be included as well. Applications must be received a minimum of 20 days prior to the date of your tournament. Two examples have been provided to assist you. To view these documents click on: Bulkley Valley Cross Country Ski Club, XC Bragg Creek and/or 100 Mile Nordics.
To apply, email your proposal to the CCC Office at mail to: thudson@cccski.com, or Cross Country Canada, Bill Warren Training Centre, Suite 100, 1995 Olympic Way, Canmore, AB, T1W 2T6.
Applications will be considered as submitted until supplies of materials run out.
Selection Criteria
Host clubs will be chosen based on:
q appropriate facilities, including appropriate grooming/tracksetting,
q how well the proposal addresses the objectives of the program,
q the club’s ability to guarantee a well-organized event, and
q a minimum of 30 participants.
Who Can Participate?
CP Ski Tournaments are open to participation by club members as well as individuals who are not affiliated with a club. Host organizers are strongly encouraged to promote this event in local elementary schools and to other sport groups in their community. The intention is to encourage increased participation by those who are not members of clubs as well as those that are!
Skiers born in 1997 and later are eligible. Skiers may only enter in one age category for the duration of the event. When a skier initially registers, they can enter in a higher age category, but not a lower one.
Note that participation in this activity is a requirement of “Target #4” in the CCC Track Attack program for children 10 to 12 years of age.
Participation Award
CCC will provide Tournament organizers with participation awards that have a promotional benefit in the community (a signature Ball Cap) to hand out to each child who is eligible and who participates fully in this event.
Host clubs must notify CCC of the expected number of participants a minimum of ten days in advance to allow sufficient time for shipping. CCC will pay for shipping the Ball Caps to the host club, but the club will be responsible for shipping charges when returning unused caps back to the National Office.
Registration Fees
Event organizers are encouraged to keep their entry fees as low as possible (or nil) to encourage participation. The T-shirt must not be used as a benefit in determining the registration fee.
Tournament Format and Technique
Mad Dash: Individual Sprint; free technique; random draw. All skiers should be offered the opportunity to participate in a minimum of two heats. If participation numbers are small, categories can include skiers of different ages provided the recommended distances for those ages are the same. However, recognition awards should be provided for every year of birth and for both genders.
Mad Dash for children eight and under: the competition should be held on a short obstacle course with obstacles to go around, jump, side step, go backward, etc.
Mad Dash for children nine to 13: The sprint course should be well packed and fast so that the majority of the skiers can complete it in 20 seconds or less. The course should be on a slightly declining slope.
Terrain Park Relay: Classic technique; three or four person teams; mixed genders. A minimum of two age categories must be offered; more categories if participation numbers warrant it. Ideally the competition should be held in a terrain park setting with obstacles, uphills, downhills, jumps, hoops, etc., but a more traditional competition course will work as well with some adaptations.
Distances:
Mad Dash (m & f)
8 & under 50-60 metres
9 -13 100 metres
Terrain Park Relays (m & f)
8 & under 4 x 0.5 km
9 -13 4 x 1.0 km
Classic tracks must be set on the side of the course for free technique events as this is an entry level competition and some of the participants may not have the technique skills or the equipment for skating.
Race Support
Clubs will need manual stop-watches, clipboards/paper/pencils, numbered bibs for every race participant, course markers, and an adequate number of race volunteers/ officials to ensure the safety of the skiers.
Achievement Awards for Technique
The event organizers are responsible for awarding prizes to eight skiers with the best classic technique, and to eight skiers with the best skating technique – one for each age from six to 13 years, inclusive. Evaluation will take place during the day. A minimum of two NCCP “Community Coach” trained coaches (or higher), working as a team, should be used as judges for this award. The organizers may choose to provide awards for the sprints, relays and other activities as well, but awards for these activities are optional, but the Achievement Awards for technique are a requirement.
Team Aggregate Award
It is the responsibility of the host club to determine the team and participation structure that will lead to aggregate awards. The following is an example:
Each participating Team accumulates points towards the Team Aggregate Trophy. Team points are earned by:
Points
1. No. of participants in an individual start race 1 point per participant
2. No. of official teams in a relay event 6 points per team
3. No. of participants in a sprint race 1 point per participant
4. Top 4 placings in an individual start race 5, 4, 3, 2, points
(this is in addition to points earned for participation)
5. Top 4 placings in a sprint race 5, 4, 3, 2, points
(this is in addition to points earned for participation)
6. Top 4 Team placings in an individual start race 5, 4, 3, 2, points
(based on total time of the best four times)
7. Top 4 Team placings in a relay event 10, 8, 6, 4 points
8. Top 5, best classic technique 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points
9. Top 5, best skating technique 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points
10. Top 4 placings in other activities. 5, 4, 3, 2 points
Points are calculated for official Teams only. The Team with the most overall points wins a Team Aggregate Trophy (be creative – the trophy could be made of popcorn!)
Host Club Obligations
1) To promote the CP Ski Tournament outside of the club membership, for example in the local community, neighbouring clubs, and neighbouring communities.
2) To organize the tournament according to the technical requirements outlined above. This would include the provision of a team aggregate award.
3) To order from CCC an appropriate number of Ball Caps at least ten days prior to the event.
4) To return to CCC the event registration sheet and Ball Caps that were not used (names on the registration sheet must match the number of Ball Caps used) within ten days of the event. At this time, payment will be due for T-shirts that are not accounted for.
5) To recognize sponsorship from CCC/Sport Canada – use the logos and names as appropriate (ie: on notices, press releases…).
Although it is not a requirement of hosting this event, CCC would appreciate some digital photos and a very brief summary of the activities in order to encourage others to host similar events.
Following through with these obligations is an important step in the process of acquiring future Sport Participation Development Grants from Sport Canada. Your assistance in this regard will help build a better future for cross-country skiing.
July 17th 2009
