Volunteering


Here you will find a comprehensive list of the positions that need to be filled to run a successful race for the athletes. There are many technical as well a non-technical roles, so there is something for everyone! 

Race assignment details and sign-up are managed via the TeamSnap Volunteer team. If you are not yet signed up or have any questions about the volunteering requirements, please contact volunteer@competitionedelweiss.com

It takes more than thirty people to run a safe and successful race. This section identifies these positions and provides a brief description of each. More detailed information about the responsibilities of officials and about planning and running a race can be found in the officials training manuals and reference document published on the ACA website. 

Volunteer positions document

  • Is the chairman of the Race Committee who is responsible for staffing and directing the work of all officials except the TD and the referee. He/she normally chairs the Team Captain’s meeting, in consultation with the TD, and deals with all technical aspects of the race. The Chief of Race is a member of the Jury.


    Core Responsibilities:

    • Directs all preparation and supervises all activities related to the event. 

    • Calls all meetings 

    • Encourage and praise all your volunteers 


    In Advance of Event:

    • Coordinate with the hill:  timing, snow conditions, etc 

    • Check-in with the Race Administrator 

    • Prepare and distribute race notice 

    • Check past reports and notes on suggestions or comments  

    • Verify the volunteer lists, make sure key positions are filled 

    • Co-ordinate and establish expectations with Chief of Course 


    1 Week before Race Event:

    • Contact TD and Referee: provide brief report on conditions, entries, program and any issues or concerns 

    • Verify volunteer list is full 

    • Confirm with COC and the Hill:  timing of chalet, lift opening, grooming 

    • Remind RA of medals - coordinate podium set up and speaker system 

    • Confirm with RA: entries, start lists, lift tickets, bibs and score board sheets 

    • Confirm with first aid: medical plan, patroller on course and program 

    • Confirm with COC: set up, maintenance, start hut or snow start and tear down 

    • Verify with setter for night set: inform TD and ref of timing 

    • Speak with Chief of Timing to ensure all timing is establish 

    • Send out volunteer message:  timing, commitment and program 

    • Request list of forerunners by Friday at noon 

    • Check in with start and finish referee 


    Day before Race:

    • Post volunteer list 

    • Verify hill prep, night set, safety, safety, safety 

    • Confirm with all chiefs and RA:  issues or concerns 


    Day of Race Event:

    • Arrive early 

    • Ensure TD and Referee receive Jury radio and lift tickets:  confirm dedicated channel for radio 

    • Ensure timing is synchronized 

    • Lead Jury inspection:  

    • Inspect safety of course: start, b-netting, crowd control, finish area, obstacles 

    • Know setting requirements: #, distances and combinations 

    • 1st, last, delay gates and combinations have outside gates 

    • Spot check gate panel installation 

    • Number of gates and direction changes  

    • Approve course with Jury, advise Start Referee 

    • Establish radio protocol with Jury and Start and Finish referee:   

    • racer down, start/stop and course hold 

    • Determine jury positions on race course:  i.e. Flats, coaches corner, pitch 

    • Lead Captains meeting:  

    • Introduce Jury, Chiefs.  Reiterate schedule of event. Review medical plan, weather, inspection, setters, tear down plan, awards and location for ref report. 

    • Verify sponsorship material is displayed properly 

    • Coordinate with COC on course maintenance and course slipping 

    • Determine intervals with jury, 40 sec top 15, 30 sec rest:  Inform timing, COC and Start Ref 


    Start of race:

    • Verify that ski patrol is in place 

    • Validate timing is ready to go 

    • Course is dyed 

    • Ensure with COC course crew and spare equipment is at the ready 

    • Verify gate keepers are in place 

    • Confirm all jury members are in position 

    • Communicate “ready to start” to Start Referee 

    • Start on time 


    During race:

    • Rules are followed 

    • DNFs are reported 

    • You lead resolution of delays and issues 

    • Radio protocol is maintained 

    • Course maintained from 1st to last racer 

    Timing has times for all racers  

    After the race:

    • Ensure referee report is posted, handle protests 

    • Review results for accuracy:  TD approves and signs 

    • Thank Jury and Officials 

    • Awards 30 min after, or after tear down, whichever is the later 

    • Thank everyone, athletes, coaches, volunteers, hill and sponsors 

    • Debrief with COC that hill has been swept and everything has been put away and the trailer is locked. 

  • Has advisory control over pre-race and post-race operation and, together with the other members of the Jury, has complete control over the operation of the race itself. Along with the Jury, he/she has the final decision in all matters of safety and has the authority to cancel, postpone or annul the race if necessary. The TD is the representative of and appointed by the body that has responsibility for the race (i.e., SQA in the case of provincial events, OSZ-NCD in the case of local events.

    Together, we can make sport safe for everyone.

  • Inspects the course immediately after it is set, alone or accompanied by members of the Jury and has the authority to change the course by taking out or adding gates. (The course setter must be informed of changes if he/she was not present during this inspection.); receives the reports of the gate judges, start and finish referees and other officials about any infractions of the rules and gate faults at the end of each run; immediately after each run, checks, signs and posts the “referee‟s report” identifying the competitors who were disqualified, The Referee is appointed by the TD from outside the host organization.

  • Appointed by the TD to assist the referee at speed events. 

  • Directs and supervises the preparation and maintenance of the course, including the start and finish areas. He/she works with the course setters, supervises course maintenance during the race and directs post-race cleanup immediately following the event. He/she needs to know course preparation standards and techniques. 

     
     

    Ensure a fair Safe competition 

     
     

    Prior to race: 

    • Liaise with Chief of Race to ensure expectations are met 

    • COC directives are provided by the COR 

    • Co-ordinate with ski hill management to confirm snow grooming, preparation and safety equipment installation. 

    • Establish what netting and when extra netting should be installed.  Coordinate with the last COC. 

    • Ensure adequate race crew personnel are available for set up and race day and establish time frame for duties 

    • Inspect and prepare all necessary equipment for race 

    • Fencing, willy-bags, bamboo, bunting, etc 

    • Drills, batteries, etc 

    • Shovels, rakes, etc 

    • Install all safety and crowd control fencing 

    • Ensure start ramp is built and/or maintained 

     
     

    Prior to race start: 

    • Meet with course crew:  

    • Establish list of priorities and assign roles and schedule 

    • Set up 

    • Course setting 

    • Course maintenance 

    • Dye course and finish line  

    • Side slipping duties (confirm start intervals with timing) 

    • Provide necessary guidance and instructions 

    • Ensure tools are distributed 

    • Direct where spare equipment, gates and tools should be placed and spread out on course. 

    • Assist course setter 

    • Address issues and concerns of jury regarding fencing and set up 

     
     

    During race: (each run) 

    • Establish course crew radio channel, different from Jury 

    • Maintain radio communication with COR 

    • Distribute course crew in appropriate locations: 

    • On course, where necessary with equipment 

    • At start 

    • Side slippers 

    • Ready to address issues on course 

    • Dye pack ready if needed. 

    • Coordinate tear down and equipment storage 

     
     

    After Race: 

    • Ensure all equipment is properly and safely stored 

    • Report any broken or defective equipment to Equipment Manager 

    • Thank all volunteers 

    • Final sweep   

    • Lock the trailer 

  • Organizes and supervises the work of the gate judges and designates the gates each will supervise; supplies each gate judge with control cards, pencil, start list, etc.; ensures that the numbering and the marking of the gates is done; collects the gate judges’ control cards at the end of each run and delivers them to the referee. 

    The Chief Gate Judge reports to the Chief of Race, and supervises the Gate Judges. The organizing committee is responsible for having a sufficient number of competent gate judges available. 6The organizing committee must inform the Jury of the number of gate judges available for training and particularly for the race. The organizing committee can request the assistance of the Chief Gate Judge in recruiting Gate Judges. The Chief of Gates communicates with the Gate Judges in advance of the competition to instruct the Gate Judges on the role of the Gate Judge, passage, and re-run. Before the race distribute to each Gate Judge: 

    • Gate Judge cards 

    • pencils 

    • Gate Judge identification 

    • clipboard with waterproof cover 

    The Start List can be helpful for the Gate Judges to identify bib numbers, as long as reliance on the start order alone is not replacing the visual identification of the bib number. Check that the Gate Judges fill out the front of the Gate Card with the correct race information. Number the gates, ensuring that no modification to the gate homologation occurs. Position each Gate Judge in a section and assign them gate numbers. Check that the Gate Judges fill out the front of the Gate Card with the correct run information. Report to the Chief of Race when all the Gate Judges are in position. If you do not have a radio, the Finish Referee can relay over the Jury channel. During the run, assist the Gate Judges as needed. At the end of each run, collect the Gate Judge cards to give to the Referee. Check that the Gate Judges fill out FAULTS yes or FAULTS no. If the Gate Judge has indicated FAULTS yes, check that a diagram clearly indicates the bib number, gate number and type of fault, as the Referee will require this information. Remind the Gate Judge that the Jury may request additional information. Position each Gate Judge for the next run if it is proceeding immediately 

    Alpine Canada Guidelines for Chief of Gates 

  • Observe the passage of each competitor through the gates they are assigned; decide whether the passage is correct; when a fault is observed, prepare a proper record of the fault (bib number, gate number, drawing); respond to competitors questions about whether they have committed a fault; make a record of any competitor who leave4s the course and requests a re-run. Gate judges may be asked to perform other duties such as the replacing/repairing poles or flags; helping keep the course clear, etc.  

    Alpine Canada Guidelines for Gate Judges 

    Alpine Canada Gate Judge Card 

    Gate Judge Orientation video from the USSA. 

  • (Also called Chief of Timing and Calculations) 

    Supervises all electronic and manual timing and results calculations, plans and sets up all timing and communication systems, oversees the starter, timers, recorders, finish controller, announcers, spotters and others. 

  • Operates the timing equipment and software and ensures that accurate start and finish times are recorded for every competitor; communication with the starter throughout the race. 

  • Monitors jury communication for information about “start-stops,” competitors that abandon the course, etc.; observes the course and competitors to identify any irregularities that could affect the accuracy of the timing; and otherwise assists the timer. 

  • Operate the stopwatch at the start and finish. 

  • Ensures that the regulations for the start are followed; controls access to the course for inspections; determines late and false starts; manages the start process at the beginning and end of the run and during “Stop-Starts;” reports the names of the competitors who did not start to the referee. The start referee remains at the start from the beginning of the official inspection time until the end of the event. He/she is a non-voting member of the Jury. 

    The Start Referee is a Jury advisor, and: 

    • is at the start from the beginning of Athlete Inspection until the end of the run 

    • ensures reserve bibs (and forerunner bibs, if required) are available at the start 

    • works with the Timing crew in the start: Starter, Assistant Starter, Start Hand Timer 

    • prepares the forerunners, under instructions from the Jury 

    • clears the start area for the Course Clear procedure 

    • records the order that competitors start on the Start/Finish Referee worksheet 

    • manages the start order, including delayed starts, re-runs 

    • stops the start when required 

    • informs the Jury of: 

    • a competitor did not start in the listed start order 

    • a false start 

    • a violation leading to NPS 

    • reports to the Referee at the end of the run 

    • returns unused reserve (and forerunner) bibs promptly at the end of the race 

  • Gives the correct start signal to each racer and, in collaboration with the timer, ensures the proper start interval between racers

  • Calls the competitors to the start in their correct order. 

  • Located at the start and finish, records the time-of-day data for each start and finish from the stopwatch. 

  • Supervision of the section between the last gate and the finish; monitors the proper crossing of the finish line; records the order of finishing of all racers who complete the course. 


    Ensure a fair Safe competition


    Prior to race:

    • Liaise with Chief of Course to ensure expectations are met 

    • COC directives are provided by the COR 

    • All drills are ready, batteries charged, drill bits ready 

    • All radios and spare batteries charged 

    • Dye pack batteries charged 

    • Mix dye pack (1 windshield wiper fluid, 1 water, +1/4 bottle of dye) 

    • 2 large dye packs should be prepared 

    Outdoor Lockers:

    • Gates and panels (if required) are identified 

    • Rakes, shovels ready 

    • Racing signs ready 

    • Spare poly carb (for b-net ready) 

    • Bamboo ready 

    • Bunting boxes ready 

    • Willy bags ready 


    Coral Netting box:

    • Coral netting ready 


    BNet Boxing:

    • Determine contents of B-Net boxes 

    • Identify with the COC what the tear down procedure will be at the end of race and open require boxes 


    Prior to race start:

    • Be one of the first to arrive on site 

    • Use a radio on course crew channel 

    • Know the schedule of the day 

    • Meet with Chief of Course: review what is needed to go up the hill with course crew.    

    • Assist with handing out radios and drills 

    • Assist with the creation of finish coral 

    • Assist with Dye Packers 

    • Ensure all equipment that goes up the chair is available beside the lift line. 

    • Be available to provide information and location of equipment 


    During race: (each run)

    • Be available to provide information and location of equipment and ensure it is where it needs to be quickly 

    • Requests of all sorts will come your way.   Managing these requests efficiently is key.    


    After Race:

    • Ensure all equipment is properly and neatly stored in the proper place 

    • Direct volunteers, parents, athletes and coaches where the equipment goes 

    • Collect radios, drills, etc and store in Finish Pavilion and put on charge 

    • Ensure all radios are on charge and turned off 

    • Report any broken or defective equipment to Equipment Manager 

    • Refill water jugs 

    • Ensure garbage is taken out of the trailer. 

  • Under the direction of the Chief of Course, replace/repair gate poles; repairs potholes, ruts; berns, and other conditions; sideslip the course; 

    Other tasks: 

    • is at the finish from the beginning of Athlete Inspection until the end of the run 

    • works with the Finish Hand Timer 

    • clear the finish area for the Course Clear procedure 

    • relays forerunner reports, under instructions from the Jury 

    • records the order that competitors finish on the Start/Finish Referee worksheet 

    • reports to the Referee at the end of the run 

  • Responsible for all administrative work for the competition, including receipt of registration and preparing the draw; ensures that the official results contain the required information; prepares the minutes of technical, Jury and team captains’ meetings; ensures that the forms for start, finish, timing, calculations, and gate judging are prepared and distributed at the proper time; receives official protests and gives them to those who are concerned; and ensures that results are duplicated and published as quickly as possible after the completion of the competition. 

  • Announces pre/post-race information and each competitor’s results as soon as they are available. Make other race related announcements as required and keeps everyone informed and, to the extent possible, entertained

  • Collects the bibs from each competitor immediately after they complete their last run for the event. 

  • Provides food, desert, drinks, plates/cutlery for the potluck lunch the club offers to volunteers on race days

  • U10 Rep: Vanessa Hodge/Odette Legault

    U12 Rep: Jen and Sean Whitaker

    U14 Rep: Christine Timbers

    U16 Rep: Meghan Leitch

    U18 Rep: Katie O’Brien

    1. Parent rep to check the Outaouais Zone website for race notices Officials’ Resources – Outaouais Ski Zone (skioutaouais.qc.ca) - scroll part way down to “Schedules and Results” to find the schedule and the race notices

    1. Parent rep to send out a message (email) with the race notice on TeamSnap specific to the parents in the age group asking parents to let the parent rep know if their athlete will not be attending (typically by Wednesday before the race). It is assumed that athlete is attending if no response. 

    2. Communicates the race roster to the race coordinators as indicated in the race notices.

    1. Race day: 

    1. Collect bibs and passes from race secretary, communicate meeting point through TeamSnap (chat) and distribute bibs and passes to athletes. 

    1. Ask parents to contact parent rep on TeamSnap (chat)  if they are running late or will miss the race, so parent rep can communicate to the coaches 

    1. After the race, take or obtain a picture of the podium if any athlete from the club. Send the pictures and athlete highlights to the club’s social media coordinator. 

    2. Informs Finance@competitionedelweiss.com of racer participants, # of coaches, and scratches for each race.

    3. Maintains a record on all race participants, coach participants and scratches for each race.

    4. Distributes Audi tickets