English Ski Council Alpine Racing Committee Minutes of the 85th ARC meeting held on Saturday, 13th May 2000 at Swadlincote Ski Centre PRESENT: Derek METTERS DM Ros HUMPHREY RH Gillian GILYEAD GG John WILLIAMS JW Ian ROBERTS IR Peter HEATH PH Chris HILL* CH *Chris Hill left the meeting at 12.00h APOLOGIES Graham BECK GB David BLACKWELL DB Kelly Morris apologised after the meeting 10.00h - 10.30h ARRIVAL, COFFEE, 85.1.0 MINUTES (already circulated) 84.2.1 4th paragraph was amended as follows: GG reported on a letter circulated to the members of the ESC Schools Committee by Cornwall County Council. It is proposed that if parents provide a suitable properly fitted helmet it becomes the teacher's responsibility to ensure that the child wears it. ....... Minutes of the 84th meeting were amended, approved and signed. 85.2.0 MATTERS ARISING 85.2.1 Safety Helmets: DB to be asked to move the issue of the risk assessment forward and report on progress by next meeting. 85.2.2 Ski pole stoppers The rule will be enforced at every ESC organised race. SPECIFICATION: The ski pole tip should be approximately 15mm in diameter. Scott make a rubber bung for Scott poles to cover the ice tip, which is slightly less than 15 mm, this is acceptable. ROTP to be asked to ensure that ski pole stoppers are on sale at all the races. Ski pole stoppers can be bought from the ESC office for £ 2.00. 85.3.0 REPORTS FROM GROUPS 85.3.1 ROTP No member of ROTP present and no written report was submitted even though there have been committee meetings. DM to check future representation. 85.3.2 STP Ian Roberts IR reported that he confirmed with LSERSA that ESC would not provide a TD for the World Artificial Ski Slope Championships. IR will attend the TD Forum on behalf of ESC where he will give a short report on the English Alpine Championships. He will also request clarification on the decisions made at the last TD Forum re appointments to national championships. STP/ARC believes that the ESC practise of inviting an external TD, directly or through the forum, is the appropriate way forward, conforms with BCR and allows the development of HNGB TD's. STP is also of the opinion that the HNGB and member groups of BSSF should identify common pathways of TD accreditation. PH reported that he has now bought a personal update for Soft Ski computer programme, and that Soft Ski are developing a modification that will cope with the new format of the Club National Races. PH will be acting chief of calculation for 5 Club National Races this year. The committee agreed to buy an additional copy for ESC when available 85.3.3 BSSF all available reports can be seen on BSSF or PH's web site PH reported that Jim Hewitt (BARSC) has been appointed as chairman of the British Children Selection Committee. At the same time Konrad Bartelski will chair the selection committee for the British Teams. Malcolm Erskine had resigned as the Team Coach for the British Children's team. 85.3.4 ESC BOARD Graham Beck No board member present. DM had nominated GB (1st) and and GG (2nd) to be his proxy to vote at the ESC AGM on 20th May 2000, as he cannot attend himself. 85.3.5 ESSKIA Gillian Gilyead In order to ensure a co-ordinated and appropriate approach ARC recommended a closer relationship between ESSkiA, the Schools Committee and ARC. ARC further recommended to the board that, on occasion and for appropriate activity, ESSkiA committee be asked to act on behalf of ESC. 85.3.6 Alpine Championships 2000 The 4th English Alpine Championships was a success, despite the known issues linked to the delay in finalising a resort. Thanks to International Motors for vehicle sponsorship, DHO and K for the gift of prizes, to all who helped to stage it including officials and resort and to the work of Ros Humphrey, the race secretary and key link with Wengen. We must now concentrate on next year's venue. DM to contact Fiona/BSSF Events Executive to find out when and where BSSF plans to hold the British Junior and Children Championships in 2001 and if possible to have joint negotiation for the venue. PH asked for a closer link between BSSF/SNSC/ESC when arranging the venue and dates for the various Championships. 85.3.7 Dry Slope Calendar It was noted that the World Artificial Ski Slope Championship Race on Sunday, 29 May 2000 is not a seeded race. 85.4.0 THE FOUR YEAR PLAN Papers circulated ARC's document has gone to the English Sports Council and ARC is on target at the moment. The committee decided to spend some time at each ARC meeting to ensure that the committee oversees that the commitments promised within the 4-year plan are kept to. PH to collect data on participants at all the races by age and gender to help with the process. STP to investigate the issues linked to organizing a FIS event in 2002. 85.5.0 SQUAD MATTERS 85.5.1 1999/2000 progress report + Programme for rest of the season February Half Term, squad members had a chance to train in Norway with 2 FIS races at the end of the week's training. Those squad members who only made up their minds very late could not be accommodated. In March, some squad members went to Austria and the girls attended 2 FIS races. After that, the group moved to Pitztal for the British Junior Championships and to Wengen for the English Championships. The Squad achieved very good results (especially Jonathan Heyes). CH reported on the good team spirit within the group. 85.5.2 Final Selection Policy 2000 - papers circulated. JW circulated a shorter/user friendly version of the ESC Selection Policy. After a few minor changes this paper should be circulated to all racers/clubs etc. as well as being published on PH's website. JW to look into the costing of having the information sheet printed in colours and report to DM. DB to produce dry slope squad details 85.5.3 Report on Selection meeting 2000 It was reported that SNSC had invited a number of English registered athletes with Scottish links to be considered for Scottish Squads. It was pointed out that athletes would have to affirm their English Status before taking up a place on the English programme. (* see notes produced after meeting at end of these minutes) The ESC provided training programme must continue to offer appropriate training at all levels to ensure that we meet, and athletes see that we meet, their needs. Minutes of the Selection meeting + letter to all selected racers were circulated. Nominated athletes have been informed, PH to post details on www.britski.org as soon as possible. Athletes asked to respond to DM by 26th May. 85.5.4 GG raised the point that an observer was at the selection meeting. After a short discussion it was agreed that in the future 'Observers' (other than ESC Board Members) should not be allowed to be present at Selection Meetings. 85.5.5 CH reported on the British Selection Meeting: Johnny Moulder-Brown, Chemmy Alcott, Danielle Bosher and Katrina Head have been re-selected to the British Squad. Joanna Greig and Jamie Miles have been offered a trial camp with the British Team. Jean and Erika White have been invited to join the British Youth Squad. Peter Walters will be given a chance, if he so wants, to re-join the Squad. Johnny Heyes has been offered a trial camp and James Barcock is invited to the British Junior Squad. Yves Scilimati, Duncan White and Jack Hunt are invited to join the British Youth Squad - without a programme. 85.5.6 Report on sponsorship and proposed programme/structure 2000/2001 Staffing: It is anticipated that the board will offer a contract to Chris Hill to lead the programme. The position for the 2nd Coach and one additional helper will be advertised by the end of May. A small management group to be formed which should deal with development sponsorship, looking after the sponsors, managing the Squad etc. The A and B squads will each consist of 10 - 12 members. It is assumed that most A athletes will be on full time and most B athletes on part time programmes. Part time athletes will be required to nominate a home coach. The needs of some squad members, especially those born in 1985, may be best met through their home club/trainer. If ESC believes this is the case, those athletes will be required to follow an agreed programme. CH to liaise with Coaches/racers concerned. Sponsorship: A number of sponsorship contracts are being negotiated Clothing The Swedish Clothing Manufacturer '5 Seasons' is providing up to 30 suits for the Squad and Staff in 2000/2001. The aim is for a three 3 year contract. Insurance: We are negotiating with a company for the Squad/Staff. Accommodation Sponsorship: is not yet finalised. Meribel: Discussions are underway with Meribel with regard to training facilities, lift passes and accommodation. Equipment: A number of manufacturers including Völkl, Fischer, Salomon, Scott, Joffa, Atomic are in the process of finalising offers. Vehicles: contract with International Motors to be re-negotiated in the autumn DM pointed out that we must ensure that all equipment is only for the athletes. Programme: The immediate programme will start with a fitness camp at the end of June and 2 Summer Camps, one in Tignes and the 2nd in Saas Fee or Tignes. 85.5.7 DM reported on the agreement with Fiona/BSSF that priority entries to FIS races for Squad members will be handled via one central point for each home nation. Squad priorities are 1st - British Squads followed by Home Nation Teams and thereafter come the racers in FIS point order. DM to produce a statement on this for PH's Website. 85.6.0 ANNUAL REPORT Attached As circulated to ESC members. 85.7.0 OCCASIONAL RACING BULLETIN Document circulated to clubs attached Should include explanations on the rulings on: 1. Ski Pole Protectors (minimum 15 mm diam) 2. Helmets 3. Binding Height (50/55mm) 4. Boys & Girls Races 5. Wearing of gloves, long sleeves and long trousers when racing 6. Etc. PH/DM to write the new bulletin including extra explanations like the running of Club National Races. The Bulletin should be submitted to the ESC office as soon as possible so it can be distributed with the next mailing. PH to publish it also on his Web site. 85.8.0 COMMUNICATIONS 85.8.1 PH confirmed his discussions re the publication of the Artificial Slope seed lists and that these will be published 5 times a year. The 1st and 5th editions will be hard copies while the other 3 editions will be published on www.britski.org However, copies may be obtained at cost from the ESC office. A copy of each seed list will be sent to Wales, Scotland and race secretaries by post or email. 85.8.2 Seeding regulation 2 Proposals will be tabled at the British TD Forum. One will deal with the penalty calculation for BASS races and the 2nd proposal will deal with Club races when all age groups race the same course (maximum vertical drop for children's races does not overlap with the minimum drop for junior/senior competitions). PH to report on the outcome at the next ARC meeting. 85.8.3 Ski Racing leaflet/Document which talks about seeding of competitors Those two leaflets need to be reviewed, redrafted and updated. STP to review the ski racing leaflet; PH the seeding regulations and report back to ARC by the September meeting. 85.8.4 Year Book Scotland publishes an annual yearbook. This is excellent publicity for the governing body and the sport. ESC should aim to publish similar quality document including information on Coaching Courses, Squad Activities and general news. This yearbook could also be published on the internet. ARC to recommend this to the Board. 85.8.5 ESC had registered their own domain name: www.englishski.org ARC to recommend to the Board that ESC develop this as an interesting, informative front page, with direct access to a range of ESC and British skiing items plus links to other pages like PH's, Regions, Clubs, BSSF, HNGB etc. 85.8.6 DM to answer to the letter from Rikki Berry. 85.9.0 BRITISH/FIS Competition Rules, seeding and other matters PH reported that the ICR 2000 is still not available. 85.10.0 ARC MEMBERSHIP AND STRUCTURE 2000/2001 DM to select members for the ARC committee for the next year including a representative of STP/ROTP/ESSkiA and the ESC Board. 85.11.0 DATE FOR THE NEXT MEETING 85.11.1 DM to set the dates for next year's meetings and present them at next meeting. 85.12.0 AOB GG requested not to have the final ESC prize giving ceremony at the ESSkiA Race Weekend at Swadlincote. PH asked if the ESC race manual could be updated as it is 5 years old. ROTP to be asked to see to that - however waiting for the update of the BCR. New medical officer is Sue Carroll. DM to invite her to the September meeting. PH asked about the re-instatement of the Finance Sub Group within ARC. DM to ask ROTP to have detailed information on race income. Meeting closed at 15.45h Kings Langley, 19th May 2000 Notes on Nationality The ESC Red Book (race manual) states: "Nationality. Racers are eligible for English/Welsh/Scottish N. Irish nationality if they hold or are eligible to hold a UK passport and a You were born in the country concerned, or b one or both parents were born in the country concerned, or c you have been resident in the country concerned for the past three years. If, under these criteria, racers are eligible for "dual nationality", they should choose which country's race squad they would wish to be considered for selection and register with the respective National Coaching Scheme. Once a competitor has represented their country, they may not represent another country until twelve months have elapsed after their last representative competition. If a competitor wishes then to change "nationality", they must have the agreement of both HNGB's concerned." The ESC guide to Ski Racing, last updated in 1997, gives similar information with minor changes in case, gender etc.