Does LRT provide ski rentals,
lifts tickets, or transportation?
LRT offers
professional coaching
instruction for its members'
children, but does not provide
equipment rentals, lift tickets
or transportation to and from
Loon or to scheduled races.
What do I need to have for
equipment?
All racers
should have their own pair of
skis, poles and a helmet.
Because slalom and Giant Slalom
have become so different in
terms of equipment needs, it is
recommended that athletes have
both slalom and giant slalom
skis on which to train and to
compete by the time they are 3rd
year J5's. Helmets are
required and
mandatory for all
gate training and athletes in the Rutrider programs
and up, and must be
worn at all times while skiing.
Also a good winter jacket and
ski pants (preferably
waterproof) with gloves or mites
are a must. The Club works
with Rodgers ski and sport and
athletes can purchase a team Karbon
jacket at reasonable cost.
Do I have to race?
No.
However in most programs,
participation in competitions is
part of each racers ongoing
development and is encouraged
within the goals and objectives
of each program. Our
coaching staff makes every
effort to ensure that the
process and demands of actual
race competition is demystified
such that racers look forward to
competition events.
Depending on each racer's ability
and/or desire, the number of
entered into during the season
can vary considerably.
Communication with your coach
throughout the year is crucial
to ensure that your racing goals
are met.
Why
can't I register "On-Line"?
LRT
no longer does "on-line"
registration for programs as
release waivers require
signatures by parents or
guardians.
Will I
be in a group with my friends?
LRT's
staff of coaches organize
racers into groups of 6-9 in
size. Group makeup is determined
by the common ability level of
the group based on early season
assessment, however coaches do
try to make accommodation for
friends to be together whenever
possible.
Why do
I need to volunteer?
Volunteering is the cornerstone
of most clubs and LRT is no
different. There are many
reasons why we need volunteers
to make our programs and
services function. It
serves the community aspect of
our mission, in addition to
subsidizing program expenses
that membership fees do not
fully cover.
Every Loon Race Team Family
is required to provide one adult
for five race days during the
season.
Where
do I meet my coach?
In front
of the competition center
building at the time indicated
on the training schedule for
each given day.
What time
do I need to be at Loon?
Each
program can be slightly different
(refer to
programs)
however in general Rutriders
meet between 8:00 and 8:30 and
are typically off to ski shortly
thereafter. All
other programs are expected to
deploy onto the snow generally
by 8:00 a.m., except on those
days when early morning training
is scheduled.
Remember:
1) If
you're late for drop off or
pickup times it holds up the
rest of your racing friend and
your coach. Please try to be on
time.
2) Road
conditions and traffic patterns
can vary considerably in New
Hampshire. Allow plenty of time to
arrive safely.
Who will
be my coach?
All LRT
coaches are USSA and NHARA certified and can
work with any level of racer. At
the beginning of each season,
racers are assigned a coach
which is best suited for the
goals and objectives of each
program. LRT
strives for consistency in staff
from year to year. When a racer
is assigned a coach for the
season is is generally expected
that that coach
will be with the racer for the
season.
TRAINING DAYS
Where and when do
we meet?
On Saturday and Sunday athletes
come to the competition center
and should be on the snow in
front by 8:00 a.m. ready to go.
Earlier meeting times will be posted
on the published training
schedules for each respective
group.
What if
they are late?
Check at
the base of the Kanc. Quad.
Athletes will
usually be making warm-up runs
until about 8:30 a.m.
Alternatively, on most
days you will be able to catch
someone with a radio who will be
able to contact the coach and
arrange a meeting with the
group.
What if it
is raining?
Generally
we still
train but recommend bringing
some extra clothing,
particularly gloves and a rain
jacket.
If the
mountain shuts down due to bad
weather where will I find my
children?
At the
competition center.
Are
athletes
expected to come on a regular
basis?
It is
best if your child attends on a
regular basis but we understand
that family obligations do
arise.
If
they
miss a day can they make it up
at another time?
No, we do
not have a system in place to do
“make ups”.
When
do they eat lunch?
Lunch is
typically around 11:30. Meet
your child at the competition
center. They
should be back promptly at 12:15
or so
to rejoin the group for
afternoon training. Check
the published schedule for
changes to the lunch schedule.
Should
my child have/snacks in their
pocket?
That is
up to you. Keep in mind that
unless the weather is bad, there
is sometimes no break until lunch. If
your child tends to get hungry
you may want to stick something
in their pocket.
Can they
carry a
family radio with them?
Yes they
can but we ask that they leave
it off and in their pocket,
otherwise they
tend to
pay more attention to their
radio than to their coach. We
recommend that
you keep
your radio on and let your child
be the one to contact you rather
than
the other
way around.
What happens
if they get hurt?
If your
child is hurt, a coach will go
with them to the medical
facility and every effort will
be make to contact you as soon
as possible.
What do
coaches
do if one child has to go to the
bathroom?
Older
athletes will be permitted to go in
and use the facilities and meet
back at the bottom of the lift.
Please remind your children to
use the restroom before they
meet the team.
Where do
they do their gate training?
Gate
training is usually done on
either upper and lower Rumrunner
and/or Coolidge Street, using
the Kancamagus Quad. Depending
on other events occurring at the
mountain, training space may be
moved to other areas of the
mountain. While every
effort is made to keep these
schedules up to date, at times
last minute changes are
necessary due to circumstances
beyond LRT's control.
Where
do they do their free skiing?
That is
determined entirely by ability
and conditions. We strive to
ski the entire the mountain, in
all types of conditions.
Can
parents
shadow/accompany training?
Really it
is better just to let the
coaches do their job, except in
the case of Rutriders when it's
sometimes encouraged provided it
does not distract the child or
group. Please touch base
with the head coach beforehand
if you have a question about
this particular issue.
Remember your child is not
alone: he or she is surrounded
by teammates.
Can I train
with the kids?
For the obvious insurance
reasons, no.
How do coaches
feel about me coaching my child?
I used to be a ski instructor:
Is it OK to coach my child?
As with
all sports, technique changes
rapidly and the LRT coaching
staff are trained to teach the
most up-to-date methods.
Do the
coaches
want to talk with me after
training days?
Yes, the
coaches are always available to
speak with you about your
child's progress at the end of
each session.
Coaches are instructed to remain
at the competition center for a
minimum of 1/2 hour after the
group ends its training session.
It is always a good idea to
schedule meetings in advance, if
possible.
Is there
any organized
transportation to the hill?
No,
parents must provide
transportation to the hill.
However, several families make
car-pooling arrangements, let us
know if we can help...
EQUIPMENT
Does my
child need a helmet and face
guard?
We have a
mandatory helmet rule, so yes
your child does need a helmet.
Face guards are optional
however, mouth guards are far
better and suggested, especially
if your child has braces.
Where
do we buy ski equipment? Are
there any equipment deals for my
child?
Are hand-me-downs OK?
Several
ski shops in the area sell
equipment for racers, and we
have an annual fit day in the
fall with the best possible
prices on new equipment. Used equipment is a
viable alternative if it is in
good shape.
How
long should skis be?
Generally
speaking between the kids
eyebrows to middle of their
forehead is fine. It is
always best to check with
coaches first. Buying
equipment on a salesman's say so
is invariably a no-no.
Check with the staff before
buying any skis or boots.
How many pairs
of skis should an athlete have?
This depends on the age,
ability, and a host of other
factors more fully described in
"How to LRT"
How do you
know when a child needs new skis?
If you
are not sure, ask your child’s
coach for their opinion.
When and where
should you get skis tuned and or
waxed?
Can
you tune skis yourself? Are
there any classes? Where do you
buy wax etc.?
Yes, you
can tune your kid’s skis
yourself. The coaches, Rodgers
ski and Sport, Sport Thoma, and
a host of other suppliers
typically give classes on this
subject in the fall. Also, our Junior racers
are always looking for a bit of
extra cash and may be more than
happy to accommodate with a tune
and wax.
If you
shop via the Internet
www.reliableracing.com
and
www.artechski.com
and several other sites have a
wealth of equipment options and
excellent equipment to tuning skis.
How long
should
poles be?
It was
recommended that your elbow be
at 90° when your pole is in the
snow.
Does my
child need
special poles, pole guards, GS
poles, etc.?
They
don’t need guards unless they
are hitting the gates and they
will let you know when
they start hitting the gates.
They don’t need GS poles. Same goes
for shin guards and elbow
protectors. They need them
when they start to contact the
gates that way.
Is there
any optional equipment
I should consider buying?
Boot and glove dryers are handy
and you may want to purchase
your own tuning equipment.
CLOTHING
Where do
you buy the LRT jackets?
Rodgers Ski and Sport.
Your child does not
have to have an official jacket
and many kids do not their first
year.
Where do
you buy the racing suits?
You can
order racing suits through
Reliable Racing, Artech, or at
almost all of the local ski
shops. Usually several older
members have used suits for
sale. Keep in mind, if you do
decide to purchase a race suit
your child will need to have
snow pants with a full side zip as
well.
Are there
any extra items we should have
on hand?
Absolutely you should have extra
gloves, a neck gator to protect
your child from frostbite
on very cold days and a set of
dry clothing for wet days and
accidents.
RACING
Does my
child have to race?
Generally no. But
we are a ski race oriented
organization, and quality
training cannot be guaranteed at
the Mountain when the team is
participating at a race. Race participation
is encouraged.
Does
my child need a USSA membership
to race? How soon should I apply
for it?
If your
child is going to race in any
events other than those
organized in the Rutrider
program, you will have to have
a USSA number. Membership runs
June to June. Youth ski league
(YSL) Applications can be
obtained online at
www.ussa.org. If you are confused
please check with your child's
coach or refer to
How to LRT. They will be glad to
help.
How do you
enter a race?
Please refer to
How to LRT.
Please
pay attention to your email
announcements. Veteran parents
and coaches will be able to help
you through that first year
which can be confusing.
Can we
keep the bibs; they’d make a
great souvenir? When do I return
the bib?
No, bibs
need to be returned. If your
child is only racing the first
day of a two day race
series then you need to make
sure your child’s bib is given
to an official in the
finish area. Usually
details about the handling of
bibs is published on the race
information sheet promulgated
the mornings of all races. On the last day of
a race series, a volunteer will
be in the finish area collecting
bibs as the kids cross the
finish line.
Can my child
compete in all races?
Yes and
No. Provided you send your
entry in on time, your child may
compete in any "open" race in
New Hampshire that they are old
enough to race in. Some
races, however, need to be
qualified for. Every fall
the coming season's schedule is
published and distributed to the
membership. Although all
of the information is in the
annually published NHARA book,
it is always a good idea to
check with your child's coach or
an experienced parent in the
club well in advance of the race
dates.
What if I
need to cancel an entry I've
already sent in?
NHARA's rules state that entries
must be cancelled earlier than
72 hours in advance of the
morning of the race, or else the
check sent with the entry will
be cashed. Contact
information for each race
organizer is published
here on the NHARA website.
When
should
we be at the mountain on race
day?
We
recommend you arrive at the
mountain by 7:30 a.m. thereby
having plenty of time to
collect your child’s bib, have
them go to the bathroom and eat
some
breakfast. They need meet their
coach at a designated location
for a course
inspection usually by 8:15 a.m.
However, it may vary from race
to race and depend upon the
weather.
How does
the race
day format go, i.e. which age
groups go first, when’s lunch,
etc? Do I take my kid through
the course? Why is course
inspection important? How can I
make sure my child doesn’t miss
inspection?
Apart
from scored races for the older
athletes, each child
will have two runs per race day,
one in the morning and one in
the afternoon. Usually the
younger children go first, girls
then boys, followed by
increasingly older children. If
the field is large at some
events the J6 and younger may
only get one run. It is very
important that your child
arrives at the mountain to allow
enough time to do course inspection
with their coach without having
to rush.
By inspecting the course he or
she will be familiar with what
they are skiing and the best
line to take. Course inspection
is a very important part of ski
racing that they need to learn.
After the last person skis their
run there is typically an
interval of about one hour
before the second run begins.
Coaches will tell your child
when to be ready for the second
course inspection. It is
extremely important that your
child be on time so as not to
miss their start.
Can I slip
the course
with my child?
Almost never.
Can I be
inside the racecourse on race
days?
Only if
you are working on the course
and if you must ski down part of
the course to bring down racers
clothes. Note: Be
sure to never!! Never!! ski
through the finish line, as that
will stop the clock and the next
racer will not receive an
electronic time!!!
What
if they fall (DNF) or miss a
gate (DQ)?
At almost every race for racers
twelve years old and younger,
they will be ineligible for an
overall award for the day, which
is typically two runs combined.
Twelve and under racers almost
always get a second run,
however, regardless of whether
they finish the first run.
This is not
the case for scored USSA races;
e.g. J2 and older.
What
should my child do if he/she
misses a gate?
If they
are not too far down then climb
up and go around. A gate
judge is trained to instruct the
racer how far they need to go in
order to pass legally through
the gate. If they find
themselves a distance from the
gate, then they should ski out of the
course.
What should
my child do if a ski comes off
during a race?
Pick his
or her ski up and get off the
course as soon as possible as another racer
may have already started at the
top of the course.
What if my
child’s ski comes off at the end
of the course and they travel
through the finish gate standing
up – does the run count?
Yes. If
the ski comes off
within two gates of the finish
line.
To how
many places
are
awards given?
That
depends on the host team. Most
races award top five trophies
and medals or ribbons to top 10.
What
is the Buddy Werner
League Championship? How do you
qualify?
There is a BWL State
championships that children may
qualify for on the basis of
their performance in the
division qualifiers. Loon,
Franconia Ski Club, and
Waterville Valley make up the
Northern Division.
All
children that do not qualify for
the BWL States are eligible to
compete in the BWL Finals, where
they may also compete to qualify
for the BWL states.
How do
away races work? Do we send
coaches?
All races that are on the
published race schedule will be
supported with Loon coaches.
Can I just
enter races that are not on the
schedule.
Yes, but we do not recommend it.
Although some athletes really
really enjoy competition and
talk their parents into letting
them enter far away open races,
generally the schedule is made
with the intention of balancing
enough training to prepare for
the number of races. Too
many races is not going to
improve a racer's technique.
Who is responsible
for parents and children’s
accommodations at away races?
You are
responsible for making your own
reservations, if need be. You my want to
coordinate with other families
who will be going. It is much
more fun to stay as a group.
What does
J3, J4 etc. stand for?
J6 racers
age 8 and under
J5 racers
age 9-10
J4 racers
age 11-12
J3 racers
age 13-14
J2 racers age 15-16
J1 racers age 17-19
VOLUNTEERING
Do I have
to volunteer? Can’t I just
donate some extra money?
We would
prefer to have your time rather
than your money. However there
is a buyout option should
you choose not to or are unable
to give your time.
Who
coordinates the volunteers and
how do I sign up?
Mike Cosman is at present the
club's Race Chairman and is the person designated
to coordinate volunteers for
races. More information on
the subject is
here.
Do I
need
special training?
LRT does
provide education materials and
classes on race officiating
throughout the season. Plus we
have many people who want to
share their knowledge and
experience with new families.
OTHER
ITEMS OF INTEREST
Who do
we call with questions, concerns
or suggestions?
First,
call or e-mail either
Troy Watts, club director
(603-369-1298 m),
or Bill Suglia, Club President.
Issues involving training or
racing should be brought to
first the
attention of the child's head
coach for the age group in which
they ski.
