Cross Country Canada - Racing Rocks- Team Sprint 2009-2010

The principle objective of a RACING ROCKS TEAM SPRINT is to bring together elementary school age children for a memorable and enjoyable day of cross-country ski competition and fun. Other objectives of this program include: (1) encouraging achievement through team effort, (2) encouraging good ski technique, and (3) encouraging participation from children with a wide range of skill levels and ski experience.

Each participant in a Cross Country Canada-sponsored Team Sprint will receive a free camo toque with a CCC logo.

HOSTING REQUIREMENTS

Cross Country Canada (CCC) will sponsor Racing Rocks Team Sprints hosted by its member clubs based on the merits of the respective proposals it receives.

What is a Racing Rocks “Team Sprint” event?

It is a day of team-work, fun competition and special activities. As a minimum, this event is expected to include a Team Sprint (this is the event in which Beckie Scott and Sara Renner earned a silver medal for Canada at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games), and three other special games/activities.

For more information on activities and games that would be compatible with the objectives of this event, refer to the new NCCP Introduction to Community Coaching Reference Material (cross-country skiing) - pages 128-134, and Community Coaching Reference Material - pages 379 – 384 and 392-100. Games and special activities are also interspersed throughout Section 5 (pages 105-335).

How to Apply?

To be eligible to host a Team Sprint, a club must submit a short proposal that includes an outline of what is planned (the number of participants expected, age categories offered, race distances, refreshments, awards, other activities, etc.). Note that several games and activities in addition to the Team Sprints are essential for a successful application. The additional activities might include a variety of tag relays, treasure hunt, three-legged race, monster skis race, Beat the Field, on-snow orienteering contest etc. The date and location of the event, the registration fee (if any), the name of the club, and a contact for the Team Sprint Organizing Committee (name, phone number, email and postal address) must be included as well. Applications must be received a minimum of 20 days prior to the date of your tournament.

To apply, email your proposal to the CCC Office at 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.

CCC-sponsored Team Sprints 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. When a skier initially registers, they can enter in a higher age category, but not a lower one.

Participation Award

CCC will provide Team Sprint organizers with participation awards that have a promotional benefit in the community (a camo toque) 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 toques to the host club, but the club will be responsible for shipping charges when returning unused shirts back to the National Office.

Note that participation in this activity is a requirement of “Target #13” in the CCC Track Attack program for children 10 to 12 years of age.

Event organizers are encouraged to keep their entry fees as low as possible (or nil) to encourage participation. The toque must not be used as a benefit in determining the registration fee.

A Team Sprint is a two-person sprint relay. The first skiers on each team start together and race the course. They then hand off to their team-mates, who also ski the course. The second skiers then hand off to the first skiers who ski the course again. The race is over when each skier has completed two legs.

Organizers need to decide in advance whether the race will be skating technique only, classic technique only, or a mix of the two.

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 (ribbons, cookies, etc.) should be provided for every year of birth and for both genders.

A random draw, with normal relay start positions (#1 is in the centre track, # 2 to the right of #1, # 3 to the left of #1, etc.) should be used. The competition begins with a mass start. The number of teams that can start at one time will depend on the width and layout of the course. As a result, the largest number of teams that can be accommodated in a single category may not be more than five or six. The start should have parallel tracks (one for each team) that are straight for at least five metres. Starters may not change lanes until they have reached the end of their start lanes. The finish line must be wide enough for three skiers to finish simultaneously. The exchange zone should be situated after the finish line, and scaled down in length to fit the distance of the race and the age and skill level of the participants. Some manner of ski preparation pits or stalls should be provided close to the exchange zone where the finishing skiers can wait for their next turn, and they and/or their coaches can work on their ski equipment, etc.

The competition courses can be the same ones used by the club for individual (heat) sprints, but the distances must be short because the skier will be skiing the course two times in a short period. A terrain park or ski playground could also be used as long as there is sufficient width

Clubs will need clip boards, paper and 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 eight skiers with the best skating technique, one for each age from six to 13 years, inclusive. Evaluation should take place during the Team Sprints. A minimum of two NCCP “Community Coach” trained coaches, working as a team, should be used as judges for this award. The organizers may choose to provide awards for other non-Team Sprint activities as well, but the Achievement Awards for technique are a requirement.

Host Club Obligations

1) To promote the event outside of the club membership, for example in the local community, neighbouring clubs, and neighbouring communities.

2) To organize a Team Sprint activity according to the technical requirements outlined above. This would include the provision of awards of some type. You can be creative - the awards can be cookie medals, made of popcorn, etc.

3) To order from CCC an appropriate number of toques at least ten days prior to the event.

4) To return to CCC the event registration sheet and toques that were not used (names on the registration sheet must match the number of toques used) within ten days of the event. At this time, payment will be due for toques 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.