Mission (back to top)

Help Alberta Athletes enjoy the support of the Alberta ski community to continue to improve in ski racing by acquiring skills needed to race competitively in the province, in Canada, and eventually on the international stage.

Mission Statement

To deliver a trustworthy, inclusive, athlete-centered AST program to serve as a foundation for all ski racers in Alberta through the provision of financial and coaching support by Cross Country Alberta to attend competitive events and development opportunities to race faster within Alberta and Canada, and to improve on the skills needed to aspire to racing programs offered by Cross Country Canada.

Introduction (back to top)

Alberta cross-country skiers enjoyed unprecedented success this past year. Beckie Scott made history winning the first Olympic medal for cross-country skiing. Other Albertans such as Sara Renner and sisters Jaime and Amanda Fortier contributed to a best-ever showing for Canada. This was followed by gold medal performances by Brian McKeever with brother Robin as guide in the Paralympics. Cross Country Alberta salutes the efforts of our Alberta Olympians. These athletes are true ambassadors for the sport of cross-country skiing not only provincially and nationally but also internationally. The depth of competitive skiing in our province is well-founded with Albertans achieving success at other events ranging from World Championships and National Championships to the Artic Winter Games. Cross Country Alberta is proud that there is such a strong desire by individual racers and teams to excel and hopes to provide development programs to assist Alberta athletes in achieving their goals. In 2010 Canada and several other countries are bidding to host the Olympic Games. Success at international events should be goals for all cross-country ski racers in our province to strive for. Not just to attend the races in 2010, but to win them.

After consulting many athletes, coaches and other people who have been involved with the evolution of the Alberta ski racing scene, Cross Country Alberta introduced the Alberta Ski Team as a new development program for promising young Albertans in the spring of 2001. With assistance and cooperation from partners such as CODA and the ASWPWF, the Alberta Ski Team program aims to produce fast skiers who will enjoy racing for a lifetime. The Alberta Ski Team is part of Cross Country Alberta whose Mission is, in part, to promote our sport throughout the whole province. The Alberta Ski Team program reflects those desires and we want it to be a tool that you can use and benefit from. We want you to become the very best athletes you can be and enjoy doing it.

In November 2001, Cross Country Alberta entered into a partnership with Foothills Nordic Ski Club and CODA to enable the delivery of a high quality program for the Alberta Ski Team through to the 2003 National Championships. These partnerships will ensure that athletes participating in the Alberta Ski Team program have access to the high performance coaching and facilities that we are so fortunate to have in our province.

As with all new initiatives, the Alberta Ski Team program will continue to evolve as we endeavor to meet the needs and expectations of our athletes. In the end, the goal is to provide a simple program that encourages all athletes to race to their fullest potential, and to recognize the achievements of the very fastest skiers in the different racing categories within the province. Above all, Cross Country Alberta is committed to providing a program that contains clarity in the criteria needed to be named to the AST and the requirements and benefits of being on the AST. We also seek to ensure stability and as such the system will not change significantly for the four-year period leading up to the 2005 ski season. This will enable you the athletes and coaches to concentrate on racing and becoming better. This document outlines the details of the program and has been carefully crafted so you, as members of one of the fastest ski communities in the country, benefit from CCA's support. Please read it carefully. The document includes an outline of the criteria to earn a spot on the AST, Criteria for Alberta Skiers to be able to attend events that will be attended by the Alberta Ski Team, the requirements and benefits of the AST, and the annual program of the AST.

Definition of the Alberta Ski Teams (back to top)

Senior Team:

CWG Eligible: The top Alberta senior skiers who are eligible to attend the 2003 Canada Winter Games will be invited to participate in the Alberta Ski Team summer and fall program. This invitation to attend the summer and fall program is made to provide assistance to those athletes who are not serviced by CCC programs and participation is not considered mandatory for senior athletes. Furthermore, those senior athletes who qualify and attend the 2003 Canada Winter Games will receive funding from CCA to attend the 2003 National Championships as a member of the Alberta Ski Team contingent. These athletes will also be eligible to participate on other AST trips provided they meet eligibility requirements.

Non-CWG Eligible: Other senior Alberta athletes will receive AST support consisting of coaching, wax info, and wax at National Championships at no cost provided they meet the minimum AST criteria for Non-CWG Eligible athletes. All other AB skiers will be sanctioned to attend the National Championships and will be able to receive wax information, however they will be responsible for the cost and procurement of wax supplies and any coaching or technical assistance provided.

The senior program will undergo a bi-annual review.

Junior Team: Athletes who are selected and accept selection to the Junior AST.

Criteria for Earning a Spot on the AST (back to top)

Senior Level AST Selection Criteria

Senior skiers will be selected to the AST provided they meet the following criteria:

CWG Eligible:

1. 1. Must meet 2003 CWG eligibility criteria (see CWG Technical Package).
   2. Must achieve a minimum of 85% (International Points) on the final CPL for the 2001-2002 season. Athletes who do not have 7 points eligible races for the 2001-2002 season are eligible provided the average points for the number of races attended meets the minimum 85% standard.
   3. Athletes nominated to participate in CCC programs (NTDC, U-23 Team) are pre-selected to the AST for the 2002-2003 season.

Non-CWG Eligible:

1. 1. Must achieve an overall percent of 80% (International Points) based on the prior year final CPL.
   2. Athletes nominated to participate in CCC programs (NTDC, NST) are pre-selected to the AST for the 2002-2003 season and will receive support outlined in the Senior AST Team Definition.

NOTE: Only those senior athletes who attend the 2003 CWG will receive funding to attend the 2003 National Championships.

Junior Level AST Selection Criteria (back to top)

Methodology

There are two parts to the Junior AST team and there are 12 athletes on the AST junior team. Eight members of the team will be pre-selected in May 2002 with four members selected in early February to join the pre-selected athletes for the remainder of the ski season.

Alberta Ski Team

The junior AST skiers will consist of eight athletes. In addition, Alberta junior skiers who are part of the National Ski Team program (junior NST or junior NTDC) are pre-selected as AST members. The AST calendar year starts May 1 of the preceding racing season. The athletes will be selected to the team using the following three criteria.

Team Criteria

1. Members of the National Ski Team (JNST) program will be pre-selected to the AST.
2. The top skiers in each of JM, JB, JW, and JG who are still eligible to race at the junior level (not senior) for the up-coming racing season will be nominated to the full year AST (maximum 4 individuals). The highest-ranking Alberta skier on the final CPL for the past year (i.e. 2000-01 CPL for the 2001-2002 AST) in their respective age class will be nominated. The nominations do not include skiers who are accepted into national programs (see item 1). NST athletes will be removed from the selection process. In addition, skiers selected to AST must have achieved a minimum of 90% (corrected percentage) of the "top skier" (see definitions) in the country in that age class. (reference: "Calculating percentages")
3. In addition to the four skiers selected, additional skiers will be selected based on attaining the next four highest corrected percentages relative to the "top skier" (defined term) in their class. All skiers in JM, JB, JW, and JG will be compared against each other. Percentages calculated as described in "Calculating percentages ".
4. In the event a skier declines their nomination, the next highest ranked skier (on an overall basis) will be nominated.

Note: A review of the selection criteria for the annual AST selections will begin in June 2002 with the possibility of new selection criteria in place for the announcement to the AST in May 2003.

Mid-season Selection Criteria for Alberta Ski Team (back to top)

Four (4) additional athletes will be selected following two selection races that occur in early February in central Alberta. These athletes will join existing member of the AST to attend the National Championships as part of the subsidized AST. They are considered full members of the AST for the balance of the ski season.

Related Selection Criteria

The mid-year selection criteria are currently undergoing a review and will be announced by July 31^st, 2002.

2002 – 2003 AST Program of Events:(back to top)

2002-2003 Camp Program:

1) Spring Testing Camp

Date: May 17-20, 2002
Length: 3 days
Location: Canmore
Number of Athletes: 8 Annual AST
Additional Athletes: Up to 9 invited athletes (senior athletes included)
Cost to non-AST athletes: $100

2) Summer Training Camp

Date: July 11-16, 2002
Length: 6 Days
Location: Rossland, BC
Number of Athletes: 8 Annual AST
Additional Athletes: Up to 8 invited athletes
Cost to non-AST athletes: $250.00

3) August Super Camp

Date: August 25, September 1, 2002
Length: 5-7 days
Location: Hinton, AB
Number of Athletes: 8 Annual AST
Additional Athletes: Up to 12 (invited athletes, Club athletes)
Cost to non-AST athletes: Graduated fee structure depending on status as AST invitee, Athlete Development Invitee, or Club participant. Check with CCA.

4) Fall Testing Camp

Date: September 27-29, 2002
Length: 2 days
Location: Canmore, AB
Number of Athletes: 8 Annual AST
Additional Athletes: Up to 6 invited athletes (senior athletes included)
Cost to non-AST athletes: TBD Check with CCA

2002-2003 Racing Events Program:(back to top)

1) World Junior Trials, Mt. Ste. Anne, Que

Date: Jan 15-22, 2002
Length: 7 days
Cost: TBD – (check with CCA Office)
Number of Athletes: Up to 10 athletes will be selected to receive CCA support
Selection Criteria: Event specific selection criteria. (See 2003 WJT Selection Criteria.)

2) 2003 Canada Winter Games, Charlo, N.B.

Date: February 22 – March 1, 2003
Length: 8 days (not including travel days)
Number of Athletes: Maximum 10 athletes
Selection Criteria: Event specific selection criteria. (See 2003 CWG Selection Criteria.)

3) 2003 Canadian National Championships, Duntroon, Ont.

Date: March 1-10, 2002
Length: 10 days
Number of Athletes: 18-20 (AST + JNST + Senior CWG)
Additional Athletes: open to club athletes
Selection Criteria: See AST selection criteria and Criteria for any Alberta Athlete to attend National Championships.

Contracts (Benefits and Requirements) (back to top)

Benefits to AST Junior Members

1. Expenses will be subsidized by CCA either in part or in full depending on the event.
2. Camps: Annual AST - $200.00 for full summer/fall program

   Events: WJT – CCA will provide coaching support at no cost to the athlete, will cover entry fees and will organize the trip logistics. AST athletes will be responsible for the cost of air travel to and from Quebec and will receive a partial subsidy for the cost of on-site transportation and lodging.

   CWG – No cost to athletes who are selected to attend.

   National Championships – CCA will provide coaching support, will cover entry fees, and will organize the trip logistics. AST athletes will receive a full subsidy for the cost of on-site transportation and lodging. AST athletes will be responsible for the cost of air travel to and from Ontario. Athletes who attend CWG will receive a full subsidy for the cost of air travel from the CWG site to Ontario, and from Ontario back to Alberta.

   Note: Athletes must participate on an AST-CCA sanctioned trip in order to receive funding (full or partial subsidy) from CCA.

3. Sport science activities at the spring and fall camp to establish benchmarks for training.
4. Support seminars to educate you as a whole athlete (i.e. topics could include the science of sports testing, reaching out to sponsorship, preparation beyond physical training).
5. Free AST clothing for annual team members (total of 8 athletes). Team members selected at Provincials receive clothing on loan for the remainder of the ski season. Note: NST Juniors will not be required to wear AST suit, however they can purchase one at cost.
6. Recognition as a member of the official provincial ski team.

Junior AST Athlete Requirements:

1. Attend all AST functions as posted in AST Calendar. JNST athletes are asked to attend all AST functions that do not interfere with their commitments to the national program.
2. Wear AST clothing when representing the AST (JNST are exempt from this requirement but still have the option to buy the suit at cost). These races are national or provincial level races when CCA is supporting the athlete: Nationals, Canada Winter Games, and Continental Cups. Suits will be purchased on the athlete’s behalf and will be distributed in the spring.
3. Attendance at all Alberta Ski Team selection races. Failure to do so will forfeit the subsidy, funding, and sanctioning to attend future AST events. The annual AST athletes must race at 95% (simple %) or better of the winner to maintain their pre-selected status on the AST for Nationals (see how to calculate percentage).
4. Provide 5 hours of community service to the Alberta ski community. Approval for all community service must be received from the AST Director. Athletes will be asked to provide a report (no more than one page) of the nature of the community service and details regarding the benefit to themselves and others. The community service can take a variety of forms. It is suggested that AST members do their service early in the year so it does not conflict with their competitive goals. Some suggestions are: working on club ski trails, teaching jackrabbits or masters skiers for a day, helping disabled skiers ski or train. CCA asks that you be creative, thoughtful and innovative in fulfilling this requirement. Half-year AST members can do their service prior to qualifying for the team. Full-year AST members must complete their service before December 31 of the ski season, or will forfeit their membership on the team.

Benefits to AST Senior Members

1. 1. Expenses will be subsidized by CCA either in part or in full depending on the event and as outlined in the Definition of AST.
   2. Camps: Subsidy to attend AST camps.

      Events: CWG – No cost to athletes who are selected to attend.

      National Championships – CCA will provide coaching support, will cover entry fees, and will organize the trip logistics. AST senior athletes who attend CWG will receive a full subsidy for the cost of on-site transportation and lodging. Athletes who attend CWG will receive a full subsidy for the cost of air travel from the CWG site to Ontario, and from Ontario back to Alberta.

      Note: Athletes must participate on an AST-CCA sanctioned trip in order to receive funding (full or partial subsidy) from CCA.

   3. Access to sport science activities at the spring and fall camp to establish benchmarks for training.
   4. Access to support seminars to educate you as a whole athlete (i.e. topics could include the science of sports testing, reaching out to sponsorship, preparation beyond physical training).
   5. AST clothing (ski suit, warm-up) will be available to senior athletes (on loan basis) when athlete is representing Alberta on an AST trip.
   6. Recognition as a member of the official provincial ski team.
   7. Senior AST Athlete Requirements:
      1. Wear AST clothing when representing Alberta at official AST events. These races are national level races when CCA is supporting the athlete: Nationals, Canada Winter Games.
      2. Provide 5 hours of community service to the Alberta ski community. Approval for all community service must be received from the AST Director. Athletes will be asked to provide a report (no more than one page) of the nature of the community service and details regarding the benefit to themselves and others. The community service can take a variety of forms. It is suggested that AST members do their service early in the year so it does not conflict with their competitive goals. Some suggestions are: working on club ski trails, teaching jackrabbits or masters skiers for a day, helping disabled skiers ski or train or taking a coaching course. CCA asks that you be creative, thoughtful and innovative in fulfilling this requirement. Community service must be completed before December 31 of the ski season, or will forfeit their membership on the team.

Coaching (back to top)

Through a partnership with Foothills Nordic Ski Club and the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA) the Head Coach for the 2002-2003 AST program will be Eric de Nys. At the same time every personal coach of selected AST athletes is considered an integral part of the Alberta Ski Team program. Consequently their full participation at all the Alberta Ski Team Camps will be encouraged and will be accommodated wherever possible.

The detailed coaching selection criteria and process for both camps and AST trips will be determined through an alternate process to be determined by June 15, 2002. Any thoughts or suggestions on this topic should be forwarded to both the CCA Alberta Ski Team Director and the CCA Leadership Director prior to May 31^st, 2002.

Conclusion (back to top)

Ski racing is a highly individualized sport. As an athlete you rely on yourself; you are training to push yourself, make yourself ski better, and fight your own temptation to quit when the going gets tough. Fortunately you are in one of the most supportive ski communities in the country where highly qualified coaches, officials, parents and a collective of clubs (CCA) is doing everything they can to encourage you to succeed as athletes and coaches. This program takes this careful balance between individual goals and community support as a key ingredient to a skier's success. The goal of medals in 2010 is a daunting one, but it is also a very real one and we have the spirit and organization in this province to meet it. There are certain core principles in the program that respect the mission of the program and will strengthen with time. The principles will earn the skier's and coaches' trust of the program, in their drive to achieve such goals. These core principles should be respected and maintained to keep the integrity of the program. The following are the core principles:

• The program structure is maintained over a four-year period but the annual program of events will vary.
• Skiers continue to benefit from the AST program and have responsibilities to fulfill to receive those benefits.
• Skiers who want to earn a spot on the Alberta Ski Team race in the north and the south regions of the province to gain a more complete sense of what it means to race in several regions of Alberta.
• There are two avenues to being selected onto the AST. A portion of the team is pre-selected based on CPL points and the remainder of the team is selected in selection races during the ski season to join the AST at the national championships and other events.
• The AST program has been created by CCA for promising Alberta athletes. As such athletes and coaches should feel a sense of ownership of the program direction.

Appeals (back to top)

In the event that there is an appeal made during the season over an exceptional case, or situation, within the context of the AST Program as outlined, the issue should be brought to the attention of the CCA Alberta Ski Team Director immediately after the ski season (i.e. after April 15 ^th). The membership should feel welcome to bring the appeal forward for review at that time, so that it can serve as a basis for changes that will improve the program for the ski racers in Alberta.

Alberta Ski Team Advisory Committee

CCA invited the participation of athletes, coaches, and other interested parties to join a working committee that will review AST program issues related to selection, program of events, and team composition. The AST Director will chair this committee. Members who have an interest in being part of such a committee are asked to contact the AST Director by May 31^st, 2002.

Criteria for any Junior Alberta Skier to Attend National Championships (back to top)

While there is an AST that has the National Championships as an annual peak event, athletes who do not qualify for AST support can also earn CCA's sanctioning to go to the national events by adhering to the following:

1. Athletes and clubs must race one northern race and one southern Premiere AB event race (as defined by CCA)(dividing line is the area code line defined by Telus 403 or 780.)
2. The Provincial Championship will be designated as one of the north or south races. This event will alternate between the two regions bi-annually.
3. Clubs not attending the selection race (Provincial Championships) will not be sanctioned by CCA to attend Nationals.
4. Clubs that attend the selection race (Provincial Championships) will receive full CCA sanctioning to attend Nationals as a club team. Each individual athlete must also attend the selection race to be sanctioned.

Calculating Percentages - Annual AST selections (back to top)

1. Obtain the final Canada Points List (CPL) from CCC website.
2. Each category is separated into separate spreadsheets from the master CPL. For instance, all Junior Women are placed on one worksheet.
3. The top three skiers percentages in the category using international points are averaged together to determine a "correction factor". A correction factor is a number that will enable the results to be fairer for all skiers. This takes some of the potentially extreme variability out of the results. This determines the "top skier" in each category.
4. Each skier's international points are then compared to correction factor to determine their percentage relative to the "top skier". This is the final percent that is used to compare skiers across all categories. Percentages will be calculated to two decimals.

Percentages are determined using the following formula:

1 + ((International Pts - Correction Factor)/ (Correction Factor))

ie. 1+((81.5%- 82.5%) / (82.5%)) = 98.8%

Note: Only need the top three (3) skiers from a category within the country and all Alberta skiers in the worksheet to perform the required calculations. There is no need to calculate the results on Non Alberta skiers.

World Junior Trials (back to top)

Selection Events:

1.   Alberta Cup January 3-5 (back-up Jan. 11-12)Races: 1.0 km free sprint, 5/10 km Classic mass-start 15 km Freestyle - Individual Start

Selection for up to 10 athletes (Note  no minimum team size):

1. Athletes must be in good standing as a member of CCA and meet eligibility criteria as defined by CCA policy to be considered Albertan for this selection.

2. Athletes named to the NST Junior Team in Spring 2002 are pre-selected for the 2003 World Junior Trials.

3. Top Albertan of qualifying sprint and classic mass start will automatically qualify (Men & Women - 4 skiers)

4.  Top Albertan of 15 km Free individual (Men and Women - 2 skiers) will automatically    qualify.

5. Remainder of spots will be selected from average corrected percent (see corrected percentages for specifics on calculation) of top two out of three races of all competitors irrespective of category (age/gender). Selection will be for minimum of two skiers.

6a.To qualify a skier must attain a minimum average standing of 95% (uncorrected) of top Junior AB athlete.

7. In the event a skier declines, the next highest ranked skier will be selected from the same category (male/female).

8. Selections will be announced by the end of the selection race series and athletes will be required to indicate their acceptance of the nomination to the CCA office by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2003.

9. Athletes are not required to attend all selection races if they have previously met a selection criterion or feel they have attained adequate percentage for selection.

10. Please do the same for the CWG Selection Criteria:

Canada Winter Games

Selection Events:

1. Sovereign LakesContinental Cup (Dec. 5-8^th)Races: 5/10 km free-individual and pursuit

2. Alberta Cup #1  (January 3-4^th) (back-up Jan. 11-12^th)Races: 1.0 km free sprint, 5/10 km Classic mass-start

Selection is for 10 athletes (5 male/5 female). Athletes must meet eligibility requirements as per Canada Games Council. See the following link for more details:

Technical Package & Eligibility: http://www.canadagames.ca/enghome/sports/tech_packages/CrossCountrySkiEN.pdf

1.  Top Albertan in free-individual and pursuit races  Event 1.
(Men and Women - 4 skiers) * #

2. Top Albertan in overall sprint and Classic mass-start Event 1.
(Men and Women - 4 skiers)

3. Remainder of spots selected from average percent (based on time off top-
Albertan) of top two out of four races for men and women. Selection will be for minimum of two skiers (1 male/1female).

4. In the event a skier declines, the next highest ranked skier will be selected
      from the same category (male/female).

5. In the event any of the Alberta selection races are cancelled a single race will be held (as a time trial) to replace the event that was not held respecting style and distance requirements for CWG selection ie. If the Sprint race is cancelled a sprint time trial will be held. A minimum of one selection race will be held in Alberta.

6.CCA will announce the results of the selection by the end of the selection race series. Athletes will be required to indicate their acceptance of their nomination to the CCA office by 3:00 p.m. on  Friday, January 10, 2003.

7. Athletes are not required to attend all selection races if they have previously met a selection criterion or feel they have attained adequate percentage for selection.

*In the event the race style or distance changes for the race series at Sovereign Lakes, the races will still be used for selection as per 1. above.

#Junior athletes who wish to be eligible for selection for CWG must race in the SM or SW category for the events in Sovereign Lakes.