Team USA Event Details -- MWC2008
Last update to this page:Tuesday, February 26.
Added trail pass/banquet info, more on spectating/course access, more on waxing.
Daily Team USA Updates
World Masters Lodging Forum
Official Event Site
wax recommendations
wax recommendations
wax recommendations
Below USA National Director J.D. Downing will be posting and continuously updating as much information as possible that can help USA skiers enjoy the best possible experience at the 2008 Masters World Cup. Skiers are urged to revisit this page often up until Wednesday, February 27. When we get into the event period (Feb 28-March 7) time limitations will likely restrict new info to just the Team USA update page
Team USA Information Meetings: Schedule & Directions
Special Free Training Presentation: Tuesday, March 3 -- 3pm
All About Trail Passes, Banquet Tickets, and Spectating/Race Support
Getting Around McCall During The Event
Warm-up, Waxing, and "Typical" Waxing Notes
Race Start/Seeding Info; Basic Course Info
Stuff You Don't Need To Worry About At MWC Races
All About The Relay (Wednesday, March 5)
Any Special Pre-Event Advice?
Since the MWC2008 is in the western United States, the vast majority of USA skiers will have a maximum of a two hour time change and (hopefully) no more than a single day of travel to get to McCall. This is very different than European-hosted Worlds and thus we anticipate a much healthier, well-rested, and time-adjusted contingent. The "home snow" advantage also means that Team USA skiers clearly know what life is like in the USA, there's no language barriers, no worries over passports/visas/etc., food is food in the USA -- in short, it's an easy trip.
The only real transition for skiers in low elevation areas is the moderate altitude of McCall. Ponderosa State Park sits right at 5,000 feet which is very moderate by western North American standards. But for sea level skiers it will require that you prepare mentally as much as physically for altitude skiing. In very general terms, if you haven't skied at altitude before, the air will feel drier and "thinner" than back home. If you try and ski with low elevation tempo, you'll have problems with quick spikes in heart rate and respiration. But if you stay calm, ski relaxed, and work to develop a feel for how hard you can push in the thinner air environment -- you should be able to quickly ski for top results even if not acclimated the way you might be if you'd live at alitude for 3-4 weeks prior.
The biggest thing to remember is that over the decades, many US and international masters events have been held at a mix of altitudes and it is the exception (rather than the rule) that results for athletes are very far out of kilter versus low elevations. Faster skiers tend to still be faster. Fun skiing is fun skiing.
Should I bring anything special?
Just pack what you would normally for a ski race holiday. McCall is pretty middle-of-the-road in temperature and precipitation (although this year has been quite above average with snowfall). It is unlikely to be super cold. Restaurants are generally very casual as are the MWC2008 awards ceremonies and closing banquet. One nice thing this year is that you can be quite overt about wearing USA clothing whenever you like (generally we keep a lower profile overseas these days). Feel free to bring flags and cowbells for cheering on skiers during your off days. McCall has large supermarkets (though thankfully few, if any, of the big box stores thus far) so there's no need to come with a supply load of provisions. What you need, you can generally find right in town.
Packet Pick-Up Information
Google map to Manchester Ice Arena
The McCall O.C. realize that a good number of USA skiers will arrive to McCall after the official packet pick-up times on February 28 and 29. Mostly to accommodate these USA skiers, the O.C. has arranged special late packet pick-up times/dates.
Official Packet Pick-up and Race Office Support (Manchester Ice Centre, downtown McCall)
Thursday, 2/28: 8am - 6pm
Friday, 2/29: 8am - 3pm (after 3pm, no pick up until the next morning at Ponderosa State Park)
Late packet Pick-up (in the visitors' center at Ponderosa State Park)
Saturday, 3/1 thru Friday, 3/7, each day: 8am - 5pm.
Your MWC2008 race packet consists of an event credential, your souvenir race bib (that you MUST hand on to for ALL the individual races that you do during the week!!!!), a racer program with maps/rules/etc., and typical big event goodies. You must keep your credential with you at all times when skiing at Ponderosa State Park (excluding the time when you are actually in a race). The credential is your trail pass and also a way for officials to determine where you are allowed to go. The two things you absolutely do not want to lose during the event week are your credential and your bib! There will be fees and harsh words required for replacements.
Race start times vary greatly based on age class so if you arrive in McCall later in the week, just plan to have enough time prior to your race start to get your packet. Please be patient as volunteers cannot be spared just to wait around endlessly for late arrivals on the morning of races. Ideally, try and pick up your packet the afternoon prior to your first race. Crowds will be smaller and tensions lower making the packet process faster and easier for everyone.
A very important note is that in a small number of situations, your packet may have a flag on it to speak with USA National Director J.D. Downing, the McCall O.C., or another party. AXCS is making every effort to minimize these flagged packets ahead of time (the goal is zero flags actually). But this is just a head's up that a flag is just a problem that needs resolution before you can take your packet.
Team USA Information Meetings
Team USA meetings will be held each evening before individual races and the Wednesday, 3/5 relay. In addition, two U.S. 2008 National Masters medal ceremonies will be held to recognize the top USA skiers in all age categories from the first four and final two races respectively. All these meetings and ceremonies will be held in the McCall High School cafeteria at very precise times selected so as to not interfere with the official MWC2008 program. We will run these meetings/ceremonies on time and on a very tight schedule -- apologies ahead of time if it seems rushed, there's a lot of people and a lot to do! All meetings will be led by USA National Director J.D. Downing.
McCall High School is at 401 Mission St. just a few blocks walk from Manchester Ice Centre (site of all MWC Ceremonies and Expo). It is 2 blocks south of the stoplight on the west end of town. Drive into the main parking lot and the front entrance is in the middle of the building near the marquis. The cafeteria is in the hallway to the right. Google map from Ice Arena To McCall H.S.
Because the High School does not have unlimited space, AXCS asks that for the purpose of information meetings, skiers staying in groups or traveling with club teams please send only 1-2 representatives each night so that we can free up more room for skiers traveling on their own. We do welcome everyone to attend the two USA medal ceremonies.
Thursday -- 2/28
Drop-in hours from 6:00-7:00pm. Question and answer session, no formal meeting -- at McCall High School cafeteria.
Friday -- 2/29
6:10-7:15pm (meeting will start 10 minutes after the Opening Ceremony finishes) for 30/15/10km Classic races at McCall High School cafeteria.
Saturday -- 3/1
7:10-7:50pm meeting for 30/15/10km Freestyle races at McCall High School cafeteria.
Sunday -- 3/2
7:10-7:50pm meeting for 10/5km Classic and Freestyle races at McCall High School cafeteria.
Monday -- 3/3
4:45-5:50pm: Award Ceremony for first four races at McCall High School cafeteria.
8:00: Holmenkol Wax Clinic -- Gravity Sports
Tuesday -- 3/4
3:00 AXCS-sponsored Training Presentation (at Ice Arena)
5:00-5:50pm meeting at McCall High School for relay (required of all relay athletes including alternates) at McCall High School cafeteria.
Wednesday -- 3/5
7:10-7:50pm meeting for 45/3015km Classic races at McCall High School cafeteria.
Thursday -- 3/6
7:10-7:50pm meeting for 45/3015km Freestyle races at McCall High School cafeteria.
Friday -- 3/7
Award Ceremony for last two race days & awarding of U.S. Masters Team at McCall High School cafeteria.
4:00-4:50pm presentation window.
Special Free Training Presentation: Tuesday, March 4 -- 3pm
Optimizing Health While Maximizing Nordic Ski Performance – A True Balancing Act for Master Skier
A Presentation by Dan Heil, Ph.D., FACSM
This free presentation sponsored by American XC Skiers is open to any individual (racer or not) and will be held at 3pm sharp at the Manchester Ice Arena in downtown McCall.
Dan Heil, a master skier and triathlete from Bozeman, MT, is an Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology at Montana State University. Dan serves as the director of master and junior Nordic athlete testing services through the Movement Science / Human Performance Lab. Dan’s research specializes in modeling the energetics of human endurance performance.
All About Trail Passes, Banquet Tickets, and Spectating/Race Support
Trail Passes
Trail passes at Ponderosa State Park for official training days -- Feb 28 (Thurs), Feb 29 (Fri), and March 4 (Tues) -- for registered athletes is included in your MWC entry fee. Skiers will be required to have either a MWC race bib OR a credential on your body at all times to serve as a trail pass -- subject to inspection by Park staff and volunteers.
NEW!!! As of Feb 26, the AXCS office believes that on official training days (28th, 29th, 4th), family/friends that are not registered racers can "train" on the MWC courses as long as all adults have either a borrowed credential or race bib on their body (you can tuck the bib in a pocket). For example, a racing wife could ski with her credential and her non-racing husband could ski borrowing her race bib. This requirement allows park and event staff to limit skiing to MWC racers or affiliated people in town for the event. Children will simply need to remain with adults with a credential or bib. This same friends/family rule will be in effect on race days with the same requirements for no free skiing as noted in the next paragraphs.
IMPORTANT FOR RACERS AND NON-RACERS ALIKE: Due to the volume of racers, on all six MWC2008 race days, there is NO TRAINING OR PERSONAL SKIING ALLOWED by any person at the Ponderosa State Park venue. The plan (subject to change by the race jury and local O.C.) is that individuals on skis will be allowed limited access to non-stadium trails for the exclusive purpose of carefully going DIRECTLY to spectating and race support locations.
For this spectating/race support course access on race days (yes, the whole day) you will be required to have either a MWC race bib OR a credential on your body at all times to get out on trails. You will also be REQUIRED to be exceptionally careful to yield the entire trail to all racers (fast or less fast, any age) at all times. This is purely "get to a point to watch/feed" access. At no point in time on race days can you ski backwards on the courses or test skis on the courses! Abuse of this trail access privilege can and will result in confiscation of your race bib or credential. All USA skiers and friends/family are asked to help report violations to volunteers or officials. Typically it is the host nation that is the biggest pain with course problems so please help USA police ourselves!
Note also that the ban on free skiing on race days also includes warm-up and cool down. Only the first race class of the day can do a limited amount of skiing on course for warm-up. After that, none, nope, nada, nyet, NO. There are warm-up trails provided for warm-up right across from the stadium. Use them, love them, ski them.
And.....The “warm-up” trails are also the same trails you should use for your cool-down. Use of the race courses is prohibited for cool-down as you will invariably get in the way of skiers in later waves that deserve the same right as you enjoyed to a clear race course. This is annually a vexing problem at the Worlds and (again) the host nation is always a big reason why. Be fair, be nice, stay off the race courses for your cool-down.
Likely USA group question -- AXCS realizes some group and industry leaders will wonder about testing wax and skis by limited skiing at far points on the course. Under the current plans outlined above, this should be possible as long as you are very, very careful not to interfere with racers on course. You will not be able to put speed traps on the course on race days -- ever. You also will not be able to ski back and forth on a section of trail. There are ways to carefully make a short loop to test wax and skis on the course. That should be your plan. No abuse of the course access privilege will be tolerated so the rules apply no matter who you are.
Other Spectating/Feeding Notes
Foot traffic will only be allowed in the stadium area. So any spectators on foot will need to plan on staying very close to the stadium. There is far too much snow to try and walk off the courses very far into the Park.
Feeding skiers on the race course is allowed by spectators -- provided such feeding does not in any way impede any other racers. Be smart and pick locations where you will not endanger or conflict with skiers! There are several long stretches of gentle downhill and those are good spots.
Are there any race feeds? Yes, there will be a race feed station in the stadium and one on the 15km loops. For the 30km races this means 3 race feed locations. For the 45km this means 5 race feed locations. Water and race drink will be provided. No solid food or gels. Typically in Europe there are few (if any) volunteers staffing these locations so be aware that you may need to stop to get your drink off a table. Most skiers carry their own feed to make sure they get what they need.
Where Can We Ski On Race Days?
The MWC2008.com site has a list of training locations around the McCall area. All these areas have a trail fee, but in many cases it is very affordable. Your MWC entry fee does NOT include daily trail passes for other ski locations. Please keep this in mind! Shuttles will be provided by the O.C. at specific times to ski at some areas. If you have a car, it is a 5-30min drive to the various spots.
A very special offer for MWC competitors is a discounted "PRiMo" Pass good for all local ski areas the entire MWC event week (and also good before and after the MWC2008!). The cost is just $49.00US (+ tax) which is an exceptional deal if you will be in McCall a week or more -- and/or plan to ski 5 or more days outside your races during the event week. This deal is also available for friends/family of racers. Passes will be for sale at packet pick-up.
To get a PRiMo Pass earlier than the first packet pick-up, plan to drop by HomeTown Sports in downtown McCall or call Ed Roper at 208.634.9417. Contact Ed Roper for details on how to get a pass earlier if you are arriving before Thursday, February 28 -- 208.634.9417.
Closing Banquet: Friday, March 7
One banquet ticket for registered athletes is included in your MWC entry fee.
Preliminary information is now posted on MWC2008.com on the status of extra banquet ticket for family/friends.
The insider information is that numerous extra banquet spaces are certain to be available later in the week as we know for a fact up to several hundred USA skiers will not be staying the entire event week. If the organizers sell out of extra banquet tickets, USA skiers should have no problem purchasing unused banquet tickets from USA skiers that aren't attending on the 7th. Bottomline: Have patience and you should have no problem securing banquet tickets for any friends/family one way or another.
Getting Around McCall During The Event
The McCall Organizing Committee (McCall O.C.) is sponsoring a complimentary bus loop that will run for all registered skiers and your companions throughout the event period (Feb 28-March 7). A map of the route will be posted on MWC2008.com soon. The bus loop should take care of most critical needs for skiers without cars. Bus stops will be near most lodging locations in town and the loop will take you to the Ponderosa State Park venue, downtown Manchester Ice Arena (ceremonies, banquet), and grocery stores. The USA meetings will be within a short walk of the Ice Arena.
It is important for skiers with vehicles to realize that private vehicle access right to the stadium at Ponderosa State Park will be greatly restricted throughout the MWC2008 event week. There just isn't enough parking right at the stadium for hundreds of private cars. You will be forced to park at least 5-10 minute walk (or quick shuttle) away. Those that are carpooling (strongly encouraged) can drop skiers and gear off -- very quickly please. You will not be able to wait in the drop-off area. The driver cannot leave your car even for an instant. Think the same system as at a big city airport outside the baggage carousel and you've got the idea.
Your best bet is to try and catch the MWC2008 bus loop and take the bus to/from the stadium on all race days. If you are in the close, you can also walk. If you must drive, always allow extra time for the remote parking requirement. Please carpool whenever possible.
For skiing at other locations on your off days, other shuttles are planned. These may require reservations and/or a small fee. Ask at packet pick-up for a schedule.
Warm-up, Waxing, and "Typical" Waxing Notes
See Stadium Map on official event site for more details on the following info...
Warm Up Trails
Warm-up trails are provided and are to be the only trails used for warm-up except for the first race classes on course each day. A ski test hill is also provided very close to the stadium. As mentioned above under Trail Passes, unless you are in the first class to start on a given day, you MUST use the warm-up trails for warm-up and cool-down. Again, use of the race courses is prohibited for warm-up and cool-down as you will invariably get in the way of skiers in earlier/later waves that deserve the same right as you to a clear race course. This is annually a vexing problem at the Worlds and (again) the host nation is always a big reason why. Be fair, be nice, stay off the race courses for your warm-up and cool-down.
Waxing Facilities
For pre-race prep many hotels are planning on some kind of waxing space for those skiers staying at each hotel. As is typical for any skier on the road, some waxing spaces will be quite comfortable (heated shops) and some are "rustic" (unheated tents or carports). Many McCall condos also will have some space you can wax in. You are well advised to ask when booking as to available waxing space plans at hotels, condos, etc..
On race days, per WMA rules, there will be a large amount of waxing tent space for skiers at the Worlds. The waxing tent space will have limited tables, but no profiles will be provided. The more gear you can bring with you the better (this is where teaming with other skiers is a big help)! There will be power. Yes, you can use this waxing space at the venue in afternoons (but not evenings) to wax for the next day's races. This is a good option if waxing is going to be a pain where you are staying.
A great plan for skiers in the western states that drive to McCall is to pool with friends to buy and bring a 10' x 10' pop-up tent that you can then use as a portable wax space. These tents are quite common in stores now (usually less than $200US) and with sidewalls you are out of the wind and wet even on nasty days. The tents easily fit in many cars and are quite easy to set-up and take-down. You can use a portable set-up like this as a private wax room both at the venue as well as at your hotel/condo. All you need is power when hot waxing!
NEW! If you have one of these 10 x 10 tents for a club or team, there is a designated area being set up for these tents and you will be allowed to (and encouraged to) store the tent overnight at Ponderosa State Park to cut down on traffic. You are responsible for bringing ropes for tie-downs in case of weather. To drop off the tent initially, the organizers ask that you try and set up the tent in an early morning, a late afternoon or one of the official training days -- and NOT in the middle of a busy race morning please! You need to drop off your tent quickly as only a few official groups will have parking passes at the Park. There will not be power to areas for canopies to be set up. Plan on just using torches for kick wax. If you need to glide wax at the Park, you need to use one of the official MWC event tents.
To bring waxing gear to the stadium, you will need to either do a very quick team/group drop-off with one (1) designated team vehicle or you just can bring your stuff (profiles, tables, wax boxes) on the short shuttle bus from parking areas. If you do a drop-off, just be considerate and be fast aiming for early morning so you aren't in the way of shuttle buses. The stadium will be fairly secure at night, but no guarantee is made by the Park for unlocked gear left overnight.
As when we are in Europe, USA skiers that are racing always have priority for waxing space in the stadium waxing areas. Skiers that are not racing will be politely (but firmly) requested to avoid hanging around or placing gear in the waxing tent(s) until all racers for each race day are on course.
Unlike when we are in Europe, the sheer size of the USA contingent is simply too great for one man to be of much use when it comes to waxing. So USA National Director J.D. Downing will be depending on the capable information and testing provided by numerous ski industry representatives that will be on hand the entire event week. In most cases, USA skiers are going to be the priority of these company reps so do not be shy about asking for advice. We will have posting space at all USA meetings the night before all races so you can keep updated. Links will also be provided in the USA Update page here on xcskiworld.com.
"Typical" Waxing Conditions At Ponderosa
As far as glide and kick waxes to expect at the MWC time of year my best guess would be flouro's in the mid temp range. By that I mean low mid 20's to mid 30's (F). Kick wax could be ranging from blue hard waxes to the full range of klisters. At the two JO's we had here at that time of year I remember kick waxes ranging from those extremes being used. It has been below normal for temps for much of January and early February. I guess the bottom line is we are in the West at elevation and that time of year it could be about anywhere short of really cold. Oh yea, and do we have snow! So far this winter is shaping up as one of the two or three snowiest in the seventeen winters that I have lived in McCall. Also, all of the snow we have had in the last six weeks has been cold dry powder.
Another take -- Normally in March we have temps above freezing by about noon. Typically the morning are cool, in the teens near zero if arctic high in area, and if sunny, will warm up to the mid 30’s to lower 40’s by noon. With temps rapidly dropping after the sun goes down. This typically means hard and fast trail conditions till 11 or noon. If we get snow or have cloudy weather, then the temps moderate a lot, typically mid 20s for a low, and mid 30s to mid 40s by noon again. Snow at this time of year is typically wet and heavy. Summary: If clear – hard and fast for skate, figure out your kick wax for hard and fast conditions. If cloudy/snow – condition will most likely be wet, slow and slushy. Kick wax again is a challenge.
NEW! -- Notes from USA National Director J.D. Downing.....Skiers within driving distance are encouraged to bring a can or two of propane for klister torches so that we don't have a run on local hardware/grocery stores if the weather warmed into klister conditions. Those flying in, just bring a typical propane torch head and plan on buying cans if and when you need it. Under no circumstances should you ever fly with fuel cans! In the past, I've found Ponderosa can have interesting snow humidity levels from the surrounding lake. There are days when the trails will be behave similar to Soldier Hollow (for those from Utah). But the biggest thing to note is that McCall can act both similar to the Pacific NW/Far West (wetter/warmer) and also Intermountain/Rocky Mountain (colder/drier) at different points in time. Don't be caught assuming things will stay the same day-to-day. Finally, be aware that the biggest climbs are generally sheltered. Those groups that can send someone to a far point to provide race feeds and radio back snow conditions as the race mornings proceed are well-advised to do so. Remember -- however -- that this person out at the far point CANNOT ski back and forth, ski backward on courses, nor can they continuously ski throughout the day as they will invariably get in the way of racers. Tough balancing act, but "them is the rules".
Race Start/Seeding Info; Basic Course Info
What time are my race starts?
All race start times are posted for all days on MWC2008.com now.
What about race seeding?
Your seeding at each age group start is based on your World Master points. You must have competed in a very recent past Worlds to have points on profile. If you are new to the Worlds or it has been awhile since you did a Worlds, you will be seeded behind all point holders in your age/gender registered for that particular race regardless of your racing ability.
At the start line on each race day you will be required to start in a designated row and lane. You will have to remain in the designated lane until the end of a roughly 50m start area. Then you will be free to pass slower skiers. Volunteers will guide you to your spot so you don't have to memorize it ahead of time (although it's really not too hard). Your start position will likely be different each race as there is typically a very different field for each race you do so skiers with better/worse point profiles will be moving you around.
IMPORTANT: You cannot move to an open spot if a fellow competitor does not show up on race day. Your assigned start spot is where you must start. Violating this rule can easily result in DSQ before the gun even goes off!
You can now view start lists on the official MWC2008.com event site linked at the top of this page. Remember also that the way these are written, "lane" means row to USA skiers, "row" means lane to us. Don't worry too much about PoL (it means roughly "point on row" to us, the first seed on a row is in the middle, lowest seeds on the edges.
NEW! -- What we have learned from the World Masters Association (WMA) is that for some unknown reason, a slight penalty was applied to skiers that competed in the MWC2002 in Quebec, but have not competed in any MWC events since that time. This basically put this small group of skiers in the furthest back seed. No reason was given by the WMA technical folks for the slight penalty. This information was brand new to USA National Director J.D. Downing as of 24 Feb and J.D. plans to submit a harshly-worded complaint with the WMA Presidency on behalf of the skiers impacted at the WMA meetings on 4 March. The downside is that the complaint will do nothing. The start lists will not change.
J.D. has already coached a couple skiers via email that have been less-than-thrilled with their start position on the fact that there is no reason that even a rare fifth row start (maybe 20 men in that group total) does not mean that a skier will have any real problem working up to medals in the MWC races. Basically if you are medal quality, you'll find a way to make it happen.
Please also remember that we will see 10-15% empty spaces due to no-shows. This means in the absolute biggest men's classes we are talking about around 75-80 men in a very organized start procedure. Most big citizen races have several times that number totally packed elbow-to-elbow and top skiers always manage to sort it out.
Final comment: At the MWC2004, a US former male Olympian started in the last row of his wave for all three individual races. He complained to J.D. at the start of the Worlds about his start position and heard the same lecture above. He then promptly went out and won three medals. He never got past the first half kilometer of the race in anything but the top three. Needless to say he enjoyed himself very much. You will too.
Will the race starts reseed after the first results are in?
No. The start list process is very complex and takes a huge amount of volunteer effort (this is one of the biggest reasons for the early registration cut-off for the Worlds). All start lists are produced ahead of the Opening so where you are once the start lists are posted is where you will remain the rest of the week.
Are the courses really hard or really easy?
The Ponderosa State Park courses created for the MWC2008 are probably some of the most balanced masters courses in the past half decade of Worlds events. Neither too hard or too easy -- just right!
There is an even mix of very gentle "cruising" terrain on park campground and access roads combined with long, steady climbs and descents plus some sections of fun rolling terrain. 90% of the courses are road width wide providing for safe passing and plenty of elbow room even in the few crowded "bell curve" times when we have all classes on multi-lap courses. Test events in the 2006/2007 on all courses received universal praise from all levels of skiers.
Per WMA rules, every effort was made to avoid overly difficult trails. In particular, hard curves and fast downhills were eliminated wherever possible.
On the men's 30-59 30km and 10km courses ("A" loops), the "Down Under" trail features a moderately difficult turning downhill followed by a steep climb back to rejoin the B loops. But even this section has not proved too difficult for an intermediate level skier to navigate safely in any condition.
Stuff You Do NOT Need To Worry About At MWC Races
Since many masters volunteer at elite events or have been to World Cups, Olympics, etc. over the years, there may be some concerns over a few items that are of either no or little consequence at the Masters World Cup. Here's some stuff you do NOT have to worry about....
a. Commercial Markings On Uniforms -- Wear whatever you want, whenever you want. There are zero commercial marking rules at the Masters World Cup. You can have as many logos as you want in whatever size you want.
b. Doping Control -- Technically it is always possible that the Masters World Cup would have doping control (it's provided for in the rules). But realistically, it will not happen at the MWC2008 (and likely ever). The logistics and cost are mind-boggling. Sadly, it is certain that there are a handful of masters out there (some in the USA!) that are using banned substances trying to win masters "fame and glory". These folks will get away with their folly for the time being, but will likely face the music someday (guilt if not the drugs themselves do unpleasant things to our bodies).
c. Saving Your Start Spot -- This is more something that happens at big citizen races, but at the MWC your start spot is predetermined so you simply walk up a couple minutes before your wave is scheduled to leave, put your skis down, and off you go. Easy, no hassle, no fuss, no straight-arming the guy next to you as you run in a panic to the line.
d. Worrying About Your Gear While You Race -- In the start area there are pens for each nation and you will be able to leave a bag there (with your number on it) while you race. Volunteers will patrol the area keeping it secure. It's a good idea to come to the MWC with a bag you can easily identify although the volunteers will also have simple plastic bags for use.
All About The Relay (Wednesday, March 5)
The rules for the Masters World Cup are very clear with regard to the MWC relay.
Each nation is allowed only one team in each official age category. For men, this means one team of four men for every 5 year age group. For women, this means one team of four women for every 10 year age group (for example, F1 and F2 are combined into a F1 relay category). Each team MUST contain a minimum of two skiers actually in the designated 5 or 10 year age category, but it is possible to drop skiers down from older groups. It is not possible to bring skiers up from younger groups.
Each year, the AXCS National Director is empowered with the responsibility to select the USA relay teams. When we are in Europe, this is often pretty basic stuff (the team often selects itself based off who is racing fast). In McCall, it'll be a bit trickier due to the sheer volume of potential U.S. candidates in each age group.
AXCS protocol for selection will also be quite simple.
Over the first several USA meetings, AXCS will be asking skiers to put your name down if interested in the relay and what legs you can do (classic and/or freestyle). In crowded age groups, realistically we only need those skiers that will finish in the top 6-8 USA skiers in your age group to put your name down. But in thinner age groups (younger and older skiers) we will need relatively more names as there will be fewer skiers to select from. The deadline for getting your name on this list will be Monday's (March 3) USA medal ceremony.
We will base the USA teams on a combination of top USA finishers from the first two MWC2008 races along with a slight eye on outstanding finishes at the 2007 National Masters and 2007 Masters World Cup. Our goal is always to create the most competitive USA teams. Whenever possible, we'll keep all four skiers on a given team within the designated category. But if a faster skier can be dropped down to potentially create a medal-winning team, we'll do it.
The USA relay teams will be officially announced in the morning on Tuesday, March 4. Announcement will most likely be posted on-line. The USA National Director has to turn in the relay teams (including leg order) by mid-day Tuesday so there is no extra time to sort things out. Attendance at the Team USA relay meeting Tuesday evening (see schedule above) is required of all category relay skiers (and also alternates!).
As we have seen in the past, it is NOT helpful for skiers or spectators to offer unsolicited input as to relay team selection. Simply because Joe or Jane "wins all the races back home" does not translate to what will result in a competitive dual technique relay team at the Worlds come March. The AXCS National Director is very experienced at team selection. When there is a toss-up between skiers, it is very rare that selection of one skier versus another will result in a different finishing place for the team. If J.D. needs help with a specific decision, he'll ask for it.
All relays also need alternates (2) in case of injury or illness. These are important roles as you need to be ready to race on race morning if someone on the relay doesn't show up or can't race.
Bottomline: It is an absolute certainty that the majority of USA skiers registered for the MWC2008 will not be able to ski in the relay. We will need two designated back-ups per team in case of illness/injury. But generally if you are not named to a relay team, it's another day off to get ready for the marathons -- and you can come cheer on all the USA Teams!
Skier Diplomacy, Protests, & World Masters Sportsmanship
Many U.S. masters that have not been to a World Masters yet will likely have heard or hear (soon) sportsmanship stories about international relations on the ski trails. Depending on your source and the year of such stories, what you have heard may or may not paint a perfectly accurate. But suffice it to say that international races (mostly on the men's side in the biggest age groups) can contain a bit more of a rough and tumble element than many U.S. skiers are used to. No USA skier should be intimidated AT ALL by anything you may hear. You have the full assurance of the World Masters Association, AXCS, the local organizers, and your pitbull-in-residence USA National Director J.D. Downing that the McCall races will be conducted fairly to all skiers regardless of ability -- or else.
The bottomline with anything you may have heard or will experience at the MWC2008 is that there are clear lines drawn between acceptable and unacceptable behavior or action on and off the race trails. Because the MWC2008 is in the USA, what you will find is that anything outside of the norm for USA races will be magnified for non-USA skiers. Roque elements typically don't fly halfway around the planet and shell out a few thousand dollars just to get a DSQ in a Masters World Cup race. Thus, the odds are that it is far more likely that any problems ("cheating", rough play, etc.) that may happen in McCall will be instigated by USA skiers -- and not foreign athletes!
In any and all cases of foul play, the biggest and best thing skiers and spectators can do is report specific bib numbers associated with a specific action in a specific time/place. In many cases, the word of one skier won't disqualify another competitor, but the info you can provide can help the jury and National Directors warn skiers they are under watch.
In a situation where a medal is won/lost by foul play or where something truly bad took place, then a formal protest should be filed. The info on how to do this will be in your race packet and you need the help of USA National Director J.D. Downing to file the protest (J.D. will be reachable every race...just how is still being worked on). There is a fee for every protest so you only do this for big problems where you have some back-up -- or when you might have been disqualified unfairly.
Below will be a few notes to keep in mind on the most common things we've seen in MWC events...and what you can do to assure a fun and safe event for yourself.
a. Keep Your Gear Safe -- Certain nations get a bad rap because of past behavior on theft of gear, but the reality is that at big USA events you are more likely to have gear go missing because of good ol' USA thieves (likely non-skiers) that are looking for an easy poach. McCall is a super safe little town, but it only takes one low life drifting through to cause a nightmare. The simple solution is to always lock up your gear (keep condos and cars locked). Check your bags at the race stadium (there will be a place for this). And try and keep valuables on your body at all times.
b. Chill Out At The Start -- Everyone is assigned a start position in a lane and row and there will be groomed tracks you have to stay in until a first mix zone on every start. This makes for a very civil start and even the mix zone shouldn't be a problem given the huge width of the McCall stadium area. The biggest key is that skiers simply chill out and not try and win every race in the first 300m. If you stay relaxed, you can give plenty of room to those that ski like blenders-on-wheels and get around slower skiers before the trails narrow. Even in the 10km races, there is simply no excuse for freaking out in the start at the Worlds.
c. Skating In Classic Races -- The MWC rules are the same as worldwide classic rules. Keep the skis parallel except when herringboning, changing lanes, or clear step turns. Yes, you will no doubt see violations. Reporting numbers is always helpful. The organizers will have cameras on course (in 2007, a single camera DSQed over 30 skiers -- one from the U.S.), and course marshals in appropriate spots. But ultimately fair play and honor has to rule. One very notable thing that all skiers should pay attention to is that current MWC rules say that if you are disqualified for skating in a classic race, you not only are DSQ for the race in question -- you are also ineligible to start all remaining competitions for that MWC!!! If it happens in the last race, you are ineligible for 2009. This is a very harsh penalty the USA National Director is trying to change, but it's in place now and will impact the MWC2008. So beware and be mindful in your classic races. Better to remove yourself from competition (turn your bib inside out) if your wax fails than to be disqualified and have to face ineligibility.
d. The Infamous Cut-Off Tactic -- Probably the single most shocking thing to USA skiers about European race tactics is the tendency for some classic skiers (almost always males) to merge into your track more-or-less by skiing right over your tips. The first time this happens you'll be stunned, but rest assured, it's pretty normal in Europe. Now that this tactic is absolutely against the rules so it is well worth remembering the skier's number that does it and at the very least reporting that skier at the end of the race. The best way to defend against the tactic is to either ski very defensively when someone is on your immediate side (in a classic track or not) and like in freeway driving -- assume the very worse at all times. If you prepared for an attempt to come into your lane unfairly, you can hold your position better and/or you can back off quickly and allow space to merge. Note: Something that you do have to remember is that if there is sufficient space ahead of you for a skier to merge and you speed up as someone fairly is trying to merge, then YOU become the dink here and could be subject to an obstruction claim.
e. Stepping On Tails -- Now this one happens all the time in US racing although it's pretty lame wherever it happens. Basically a skier behind you just keeps clipping your tail (skating or classic) sometimes also stepping on poles. They are clearly following too close and it really doesn't matter if this is on purpose or accidental, it's not fair racing. Typically three tail taps or pole knocks is crossing the line to being a jerk. One option for you is to just let tail tapping skier take the lead. That solves things easily. If you don't want to let them lead (maybe you are skiing faster), then ask -- politely -- for the skier to give you more room. If that doesn't work, then a simple (albeit somewhat brutal) tactic is to "miss" a pole plant. Someone skiing unfairly close will literally get the point. Again, report numbers if you can with this situation.
f. Blocking -- More often in skating than classic races, you may come into a situation where skiers from one nation will "block" other skiers by skating 2-3 abreast across the track. This happens mainly so a skier can make a breakaway. This is also very much against the rules and (again) you need to remember bib numbers if possible as national affiliation can be tricky with given languages. It rarely will happen to skiers outside the top 1/3-1/2 of the biggest men's fields. Almost never on the women's side. Your very best defensive tactic here is to try and break up any pack where you can tell skiers are working together. Blocking almost always happens late in races so act early and often to put others on the defensive. Throw surges wherever you can cause trouble. Try and take the lead where you have fast skis and calculate your moves to pass where there is wide track and/or A LOT OF FRIENDLY SPECTATORS. If any skier is reported for a violation by a number of spectators and racers, the race jury is obligated to look into the matter so if you make a pass where you have friendly eyes, you have a better chance of having fewer problems.
g. Tracking Rules? -- The MWC does have a track rule (overtaking skier can call "track" or "hup" and slower skier must yield the classic track or one side of the skate route). However, the MWC is also a series of wave starts so skiers have to be sensible about barking for track. If you are skiing in a tight train of several skiers and some idiot comes up behind you yelling "hup", just ignore them. That said, if you are more than a ski length behind the last skier in a train, then you are obligated to give way. The track rule does not apply in the final sprint so never give way in the final sprint stretch (this includes if you are in a totally different class and a medal sprint is underway in a class that started behind you...just ski to the far left or right and you have as much right to keep skiing as anyone).
h. Physical Contact -- Contact in the MWC is typically not any worse than what we see in big mass starts in the U.S.. It is possible in the start mix zones to have a few skiers bump a bit (particularly in the biggest men's classes) and chilling out at the start (see "b" above) will really help this. Out on the course, often the worst spot for any bumping is in the top 1/3 of some men's classes around popular feed zones. You can solve this equation by feeding in a different spot than your competitors or simply feeding defensively -- anticipating where skiers and helpers are going to go. The worst thing we've seen over the years is a few situations where men in the M5-M8 classes have "encounters" with some female skiers. There is often overlap in these age/gender groups and some male racers -- for lack of any better word -- are pigs. The female skier can help herself by skiing to the side of the course if you can sense an approaching pack of men coming behind you and also skiing to the outside of a coming corner. If you make a best effort to stay clear, the pack will likely pass you without any problems. Any female skier that has a problem with men making any type of contact need to report the number of the skier. There's a big difference between a legit accidental contact situation and someone pushing you over (super rare, but can happen) so you need to report the skier in question and the bib number is the key ("big smelly guy in a blue suit" doesn't cut it)!
i. Wars of Words -- The nice thing at a MWC is that with so many languages, you typically don't care if someone is cursing at you. So this is very unlikely to be a big problem with foreign skiers. However, within the USA contingent it's always possible someone is going to lose their cool and thus a very clear warning. AXCS and the USA National Director will not tolerate any verbal unsportsmanlike conduct by USA skiers towards other racers, spectators, volunteers, or officials. If there is a legitimate protest or grievance to file, it will be done within the rules. Collect names, bib numbers, clothing, etc. and report what you need to report to the USA National Director J.D. Downing. But cursing, yelling, threatening, etc. on your own will simply not be tolerated. You can be removed from the competition list for this behavior and you can (and will) receive sanctions for future National/World Masters as well as American Ski Marathon Series events. Be nice -- or else.
j. Courses Are Closed When Races Are Going -- Another constant at every MWC is that the race courses are always technically closed to skiing when races are in progress. Very careful skiing is tolerated (outside the stadium area) only for skiers to access spectating points. By very careful we mean looking over your shoulder constantly for racers, giving wide berth to slower racers you encounter, hugging the side of the course, and stepping clear off the track when groups of skiers approach. Absolutely no children's sleds, dogs, or other items should be with you in this careful process. Warm-up prior to the first starts of the day is also OK. Once races are in motion, you simply are not allowed to train or ski openly on the course. What we know is that USA skiers and their supporters are most likely to be the cause of problems in this regard. In particular, late starters often are treated very rudely by early finishers cooling down on a closed track. This will not be tolerated. Know that you are hereby warned that credentials can be taken removing race starts (now or in the future) if you or your supporters cause a problem.
k. Remember The Good Apples -- The prediction is that 99 % of the skiers at the MWC2008 will be there for fair competition, fun, great skiing, and good health. Be one of these people and take what steps to protect yourself from the very few bad apples. It'll be a fantastic week!
Ski Your Assigned Race -- Or Not At All
This is a very unique item to USA skiers, but one that deserves a quick mention.
The registration list is now locked so that whatever you are listed to race on the final start sheets, is what you have the right to race at the MWC2008. AXCS provided extensive opportunity to make changes, worked hard for the dozens of skiers that made changes right up to the last hours, and now the system is fixed in place. No changes can be made for any reason. Period.
The skiers that are on the start list for each MWC2008 race are the only ones that have the right to be out on course on each race day. Anyone else openly skiing on the courses (with or without a bib) is not only violating MWC/WMA rules, but also trespassing and creating a dangerous situation. There is a huge difference carefully skiing out to a far point to help feed skiers and openly skiing or training on a course. Common sense needs to be applied here folks.
If any USA skier is found to "hop in" any race that you are not registered to ski, you will find yourself in the hottest of water. Disqualification and sanctions from National/World competition as well as American Ski Marathon Series competitions are all probable. Charges will also be considered with local law enforcement as it applies.
We have had a single instance of this in the past with a USA skier in Europe, it will not be tolerated in the future at any MWC competition.
