Alberta Alpine

VOLUNTEER/RACE OFFICIAL EDUCATION

Did you know that it takes in the neighbourhood of 75 volunteers to
effectively run a FIS slalom? As a result, volunteers are a key
component of ski racingevents across Canada. In order tovolunteer at a
ski race as a race official, volunteers are required to have an
understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the Race Organizing
Committee.

The Alberta Alpine Officials program is a structured, integrated
program involving four levels of Officials and four levels of Technical
Delegates. It covers all Officials from the noviceLevel I, to the
highly qualified and experienced Level IV Officials and Technical
Delegates. The program stresses the integration of practical knowledge
with theory at all levels. It seeks to provide the means by which
Officials can build a broader and more knowledgeable base of experience
andmaintain that level of experience. It is vital that Officials are
able to provide race organization and officiating skills that will
match the competitors' performance levels and program goals.
Competitors have the right to expect that Officials have this level of
expertise so that race results reflect the athlete's ability and skill
without being compromised.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Program are the following:

To standardize the methods and techniques of organizing and officiating at ski races across Alberta
To ensure that ski competitions are fair, safe, and consistent with prescribed standards
To ensure uniformity with respect to rule interpretations
To ensure that required numbers of qualified Officials are available at all races in Alberta
To offer opportunities to anyone, anywhere to become a ski Official
To
offer opportunities, through established programs, for Officials to
progress from club level Officials to International officials
To establish criteria for Officials certification which reflect the current competition standards
To offer recognition to Officials for their achievements

ALBERTA ALPINE OFFICIALS PROGRAM

LEVEL	DESCRIPTION
Level l	The Level 1 Officials course prepares individuals for volunteering at local races in various junior Race Officials positions. This course is 3 hours long with no exam and no pre-requisites.
Level II Level II for coaches	The Level 2 offers further education and training to individuals who have already completed their Level I and have gained 8 race days of practical experience at local races in at least three different positions from two different categories (see chart below). Level II Officials are qualified for several Chief and Jury positions. The course is 6 hours with a national exam requiring a minimum of 70% to pass. This course places a heavier emphasis on areas and material critical for a coach to understand, in particular preparation for coaches to hold the Referee position at a ski race.
Level III	Prepares Officials for all Chief positions and for minimum entry qualifications for the Technical Delegate (TD) program. Course prerequisite - must be Level II official with specified experience. Course is 2 days with national exam. Minimum of 70% is required to pass. For prerequisites please see below.
Level IV	This level is for those Officials who have gained further experience at National or International races and who have demonstrated superior abilities as an Official. The must be recommended by the Alberta Officials Chair to the National Officials Committee
Alberta Technical Delegate	Must be Level III or IV Official, serve as TD Candidate at two races and be evaluated in both cases. Practical and written exam. Qualified to TD at Alberta races and some National Level Races.
National Technical Delegate	Obtained through experience and demonstrated superior ability. They must be recommended by the Alberta Officials Chair to the National Officials Committee.

Pre-requisitesfor entry to a Level 3 Official course are:

successful completion of the Level 2 Officials course
completion of an assignment as Chief of Race at a K1 or K2 race, or higher
plus one of the following positions at a K1 or K2 race, or higher: Chief of Course, Chief of Timing/Calculations, Chief of Gate Judges or Race Secretary
plus two assignments as a Jury member, other than as Chief of Race: i.e. positions of Referee, Assistant Referee, Start Referee or Finish Referee
plus one assignment from the following table at a FIS level race. This should be a different assignment than that listed in 1 to 4 above.

Administration	Event Quality	Course	Timing	Jury

Race Organizing Committee Chairperson		Chief of Race	Chief of Timing & Calculations	Technical Delegate
		Chief of Course	Chief of Timing	TD Candidate
Chief of Administration		Chief of Gate Judges	Electric Timer	Referee
(Race Secretary)		Gate Judge	Starter	Jury Advisors
		Course Crew		Start Referee
				Finish Referee

Note that accreditedLevel 3 CSCF coaches are eligible to register
for a Level 3 Officials courseeven though they may not meet the above
practical assignments.

Not having completed all theabove practical assignments does not
preclude you from registering for theLevel 3 course but your request
will be subject to review beforeattending. If you feel you haveclose
to, or equivalent, practical experience to the above, we'd like to
hearfrom you. Please provide detailsof this experience.

Note that, even though you may attend the Level 3 course you
will not beaccredited as a Level 3 Official until the practical
prerequisites arecompleted, or your current practical experience is
accepted as equivalent.