WHAT IS THE SIERRA SKI CHASE?

The Sierra Ski Chase is a low-key race series, now in its 20th season. It's open to cross-country skiers of all ages and abilities. The purpose of the Ski Chase is to promote greater participation in XC ski race events, which currently draw a wide range of skiers, from top-level athletes to recreational skiers who complete courses at their own pace. Whether you want to race, push yourself a bit, or take on a Ski Chase event as a “tour” is up to you!

There are two ways Far West members can participate in the Sierra Ski Chase:

• PARTICIPATION, which is free and open to ALL Far West Nordic members, and
• RACING COMPETITION, which is open to Far West Nordic Racing and Supporting members only.

The key difference between these: PARTICIPATION is all about completing a series of races - many participants like having such a goal for their ski season. RACING COMPETITION is an age-handicapped competition in which points are awarded based how you place at each race in which you complete. Competitors are scored throughout the season, and Ski Chase Racing standings are updated as races are completed. YOU MUST BE A FAR WEST NORDIC RACING OR SUPPORTING MEMBER TO BE IN THE SKI CHASE RACING COMPETITION.

• ALL ages are eligible for Basic Participation
• Any XC ski race that's at least 5K counts towards Basic Participation.

SIERRA SKI CHASE PARTICIPATION

Participation Prizes! All Far West members who complete a minimum of 5 eligible XC races this season are eligible to receive the 2013 season commemorative Participation Prize.

Bonus Prize for New Far West members: if you're a first-time Far West member this season, you're eligible to receive a bonus prize after your first 3 qualifying races. Bonus prizes will be one of prior year's participation prizes (while supplies last).

Race eligibility: the only requirement for which races count towards Ski Chase Participation Prize eligibility is that they (1)each race you complete must be a minimum of 5K in length, and (2) races must occur in the Far West regions (California, Nevada, and Arizona). The list of races in the Far West region can be found on our Race Schedule.  Races vary in terms of distance, race format, and terrain/difficulty -- there's a wide range of races to choose from, so you can pick whatever races are right for you.

Great Raffle Prizes Too: all participants ages 20 and over who complete a minimum of 5 races will be eligible for raffle prizes donated by our sponsors (in addition to the participation prize). You must be present to win a raffle prize at the prize awards ceremony (see below), and you must complete 5 races by the date of the awards ceremony to qualify for a raffle prize.

Prize awards ceremony:

• Participation prizes will be distributed at an end of season party, and at other XC events by prior arrangement (please e-mail Peter Hanson).  We can make also mail your prize via Priority Mail if you pre-pay our postage cost.
• Raffle Prize drawings will be held at the end of season party. You must be present to win.

What You Need To Do To Participate: other than being a Far West member, you don't need to do anything to start your Ski Chase participation. Just start doing some of the XC races and keep track of which races you've done. When you've completed your 5 races (3 qualifying races for new members) please fill out the form below telling us which races you've completed and we'll put you on the list to receive this season's participation prize. Far West Nordic Racing and Supporting members do not need to submit this form- we will keep track of you race count for the season.

 

Sierra Ski Chase Participation Completion Form Full Name Email Address Invalid format. List of Races Completed: Name, Date, and Location A value is required. Membership Type Supporting Racing Basic Please make a selection.

 

SIERRA SKI CHASE RACING COMPETITION

Eligibility: you MUST be a Far West Nordic Racing or Supporting member age 20 or over to be scored in the Sierra Ski Chase Racing Competition. If you're a Basic member and wish to upgrade to a Racing or Supporting member, you may do so in the online store. Juniors are not eligible for the Sierra Ski Chase Racing Competition.

What you need to do: All Racing and Supporting members will automatically be scored, there's nothing you need to do to start being scored other than completing races. If you're a Racing or Supporting member and you do NOT wish to be scored, please e-mail Peter Hanson.

Eligible Races: Races 5k and over count for 10 points with additional age and place points for races with 40 or more adults.

Competition Awards: The top man and woman will have their names inscribed on the SIERRA SKI CHASE PERPETUAL TROPHY on display at the Auburn Ski Club. Racing competition standings will be updated throughout the race season and posted on the Racing Standings page; the final winners will be computed after the last race included in the competition.

Criteria and Point Scoring: The objective of the Sierra Ski Chase point scoring is to consider several key aspects of race achievement:

• Recognition of top race finishers
• Rewarding participation and perseverance as well as race performance
• Handicapping results based on age

Races with at least 40 seniors + masters competitors will be scored with placing points shown in the table below. Age handicap points will be given to the best 5 races per participant, that means 1 point will be added per year over age 34. Everybody will receive 10 points for finishing a race plus placing points. After your best 5 races, each additional race will be worth another 10 points. Specific races will be scored as follows:

• The Tahoe Rim Tour will be scored as 2 separate races, i.e., a classic race and a separate skate race. Similarly, the Mammoth Marathon will be scored separately from the Mammoth Half Marathon.
• The Great Ski Race will be scored with 30 points, with no age or finishing points.
• Several races offer "short course" formats: these will be evaluated and scored as separate races.
• WAVE START RULES: Women who choose to race in the MEN’S wave of any race with wave starts by gender will score the points calculated by her placement in the MEN’S Wave, but those points are applicable to her overall series score.
• Only skiers will be scored for the Billy Dutton Uphill, not runners?

In the event that a race has less than 40 adult participants, each participant will be awarded a flat 10 points.


Placing points are as follows:

WOMEN		MEN/OPEN
top 20	5 points	top 40	10 points
top 15	10 points	top 30	20 points
top 10	25 points	top 20	30 points
top 5	35 points	top 15	35 points
top 2	40 points	top 10	40 points
		top 3	45 points

 

2013
Peter Hanson
Karen Seaward

2012
Carolyn Tiernan
Peter Hanson

2011
Beth Reid
Russell Reid

2010
June Lane & Julie Young
Ralph Johnson

2009
Beth Reid
Jef Schloss

2008
Beth Reid
Russell Reid

2007
Beth Reid
Peter Taylor

2006
Laura Stern
Rick Reynolds

2005
Louise Wholey & Laura Stern
Ralph Johnson

2004
Laura Stern
Stan Eriksson

2003
Beth Reid
Phillippe Mollard

2002
Maggie Fillmore
Phillippe Mollard

2001
June Lane
Phillippe Mollard

2000
Laura Stern
Phillippe Mollard

1999
Debbie Hakansson
Lindsay Crawford

1998
Helga Sable
Tav Streit

SIERRA SKI CHASE 2012-2013 FINISHERS

Congratulations to the following racers who have completed their 2013 Sierra Ski Chase.
*If you have completed your Sierra Ski Chase and your name is not listed below, please email Peter Hanson to make sure you get your prize and are entered in the raffle!

 

*new members who have completed 3 or more races

SIERRA SKI CHASE 2012-2013 STANDINGS