2009-2010 Rules for Ski-O Qualifying and Points

Changes from last year are marked.

  1. There are eight competitive classes - four age classes with separate divisions for men and women. The age classes are:

    • Scholastic - no older than 17
    • Open - 18 and older
    • Masters - 40 and older
    • Grand Masters - 55 and older

    Age is determined as of December 31, 2009.

  2. A maximum of 10 racers in each class will compete at the Empire State Games. In classes where more than 10 persons qualify, the top 10 who express intent to compete will participate in the ESG Finals. Ranking is determined by the Points Standings, which are outlined below.

  3. Each competitor must be:

    • a current member of an orienteering club based in New York state and chartered by the United States Orienteering Federation (USOF)

    OR BOTH

    • a New York state resident or a full-time student at a school in New York state, and
    • a current member of the New York State Ski Racing Association - Nordic, Inc. (NYSSRA - Nordic)

  4. All other United States Orienteering Federation (USOF) rules governing the sport of Ski Orienteering shall apply at all ESG Ski-O events.

  5. Each competitor must enter a minimum of two ESG Qualifying races and successfully complete one, in the class in which you wish to compete at the Empire State Games. Note that Empire State Games rules now require that all individuals must compete in the same generic class in all sports in which they enter into the Empire State Games. Thus, while you may compete in any class possible for your age, you cannot compete (for instance) in a "Masters" class in Cross Country or Biathlon, and then compete in the "Open" class in Ski-O. You will have to compete either "Open" in all, or "Masters" in all (in the appropriate grouping as divided by the different competitions). This is not true in Qualifying events (you can race on whatever course you like), but your results and point totals will NOT be cumulative across classes.

  6. Scholastic competitors may qualify by entering and successfully completing only one race, IF they submit a written petition the Ski-O Chairperson, and can demonstrate that they could not enter more Ski-O races due to conflicts with other XC Races. Petitions must be received by Eric Hamilton not later than Saturday, February 6, 2010 (ejh dot bkh at juno dot com or 67 Pico Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065).

  7. At ESG Qualifying races, points will be scored for the first six places in each class and for completing three or more races in a single class:

    • 1st - 10 points
    • 2nd - 8 points
    • 3rd - 6 points
    • 4th - 4 points
    • 5th - 2 points
    • 6th - 1 point

    Bonus Points:

    • 1 bonus point awarded for finishing third race
    • 2 bonus points awarded for finishing fourth race
    • 3 bonus points awarded for finishing fifth and each additional race

  8. Points can be earned in multiple classes, but will NOT be added together. Competitors are responsible to see that their times and points are correctly recorded in the class they intended to enter. If someone qualifies in more than one class, it will be assumed they will compete at the ESGs in the class wherein they earned the most points. Otherwise, they MUST advise Eric Hamilton of their preferred class by Saturday, February 6, 2010.

  9. A Ski-O Meet Director, and a maximum of one additional event official (whose identity must be reported along with the Meet Results), receive credit for completing an event and 5 bonus points.

  10. The ski-O Points standings will be used to determine who qualifies for the Empire State Games Ski-O. They will also determine the order of starts at the ESG Ski-O, with competitors having lower point totals starting earlier, and those with higher points starting later.

  11. NYSSRA "Season" recognition will be based on the "regular season" points standings. ESG Results will NOT be factored into this determination.

Questions regarding these Rules should be directed to Eric Hamilton (ejh dot bkh at juno dot com).

Points Standings, plus schedule updates and other relevant information, will be posted on the Empire Orienteering Club (EMPO) web site: http://empo.us.orienteering.org/ski-o/. If they qualify, competitors must notify the committee chairman of their intent to compete at the ESG finals prior to February 6, 2010. The selection committee will choose the ESG Finals participants by the end of the day on February 7, 2010. All ESG Finals participants must register online and pay an entry fee. (ESG registration information)

Ski-O Meet Directors: To help with timely posting of the standings, meet directors must e-mail results to Eric Hamilton as soon as possible, preferably by Monday night after their event. (Meet directors of meets on February 6 and 7 must report by the end of the same day as the event.) More detailed reporting requirements will be provided to organizers. Among other reporting requirements, you must identify which of the following membership categories a participant is using to qualify for the Empire State Games:

  • NYSSRA (Identify as "NYSSRA". Entry fees for NYSSRA ESG Ski-O qualifiers should include the $2 NYSSRA head tax. Within 10 days after the meet, directors must forware the head tax along with another copy of the results to NYSSRA treasurer Lee Mahood.)
  • a local NY orienteering club (Identify in which NY club the entrant is a "paid-up" member; this will be verified with club officials.)