Tag: FIS

5 Reasons to buy new junior race skis

Should you buy new junior race skis?

Your child is returning from summer ski camp.  If you haven’t decided already, now is the time to decide whether to keep the skis they are bringing home from camp or buy new junior race skis.  But how do you know when it is time to move on from a pair of skis?

Plan ahead to buy new junior race skis for your child when they need them.
Peak Ski Shop customer Amanda J.

There are several reasons to buy new junior race skis:

  1. USSA/FIS rules change.  There are different rules for each age category that dictate ski length and ski radius.  These rules can change from season to season.  They are determined at the USSA Congress in April each year.  Keep up-to-date on the USSA ski racing rules matrix so you know if the rules have changes for the category your child skis in and whether you have to buy new skis.  We’ve summed up the 2015-16 ski rule changes in our blog post Race Ski Rules 2015-16 for USSA and FIS Alpine Racers.
  2. USSA/FIS Category change.  If your child changes racing category (ie; goes from a U12 to a U14) they will probably need a new pair of skis as well as some other new equipment (helmet, shin guards, etc.)  Refer to your local ski racing club website or the USSA Alpine Athlete Rules (this will not be completely updated for the up-coming season until September) to determine what equipment you will need to replace.  We summed up the helmet rule changes in our blog post USSA Ski Racing Helmet Rules for 2015-16.  We think the Pennsylvania Alpine Racing Association (PARA) did a nice job summarizing the 2015-16 rule changes on their website with their page USSA Updates for 2015/16 Season.
  3. Growth spurt.  Where do your child’s skis measure up to them?  Recommended length for SL skis is between the mouth and forehead.  Recommended length for GS skis is 10 – 20cm longer than their SL skis (this varies/changes as the child gets older).  Minimum length for junior GS skis should be head height, and the more skillful junior skiers should be skiing on GS skis that are over head height.  If your child’s current SL or GS skis are already too short or very close to being too short, it is time to move on.
  4. Performance Issues. Does the ski your child is currently using work for your child?  Can they turn the ski they are using effectively?  Or do they need a softer or stiffer ski?  Talk to your child’s coaches and determine if you should buy new junior race skis that will work better for your child.
  5. Quality Issues.  How do the bases look? How do the edges look?  How many times has the ski been tuned?  When you have watched your child ski does it seem to perform as it should?  Does your child have any feedback on how they feel it is performing?  We feel a junior race ski in its 2nd season of use can still be a good race ski.  A junior race ski in its 3rd season of use should be used as a trainer only.  A junior race ski in its 4th season of use should be replaced.  If the skis your child is currently using have been handed down several times, or was purchased used and is starting to look pretty bad, it’s probably time to replace it.
Peak Ski Shop customer Kyle B. with an appropriate length GS ski for his age.
Peak Ski Shop customer Kyle B.

Ski racing is an expensive sport.  Don’t become a ski collector.  Make a decision to get new skis in spring or summer and sell off the skis you are replacing as soon as possible to fund the next pair of skis.  Selection is best for buying new skis in summer and fall.  Many places hold used ski swaps in the fall.  New Englanders can usually find a list of used ski swaps on Boston.com, or skimaven.com does a nice comprehensive list each year.  We feel the best time and place to sell off used race gear in Vermont is at the Pico Ski Swap or the Killington Ski Club Ski Swap on Columbus Day weekend at the Snowshed Base Lodge at Killington Resort.  The Killington Swap is one of the largest used ski swaps on the east coast and typically has a lot of race skis, gear and race suits.

So when your kids get back from summer ski camp, take some time and determine if now is the time to buy new junior race skis.  The sooner you do it the better the chance of getting what you want and need.  You don’t need to pre-order your race skis or wait for a special day to buy them – manufacturer’s sponsored race pricing is available every day of the year for USSA and FIS racers at Peak Performance Ski Shop and on peakskishop.com.

Race Ski Rules 2015-16 for USSA and FIS Alpine Racers

Need help determining the 2015-16 race ski rules?

Every year the USSA Congress meets in May to review (and revise) the standards for FIS and USSA ski racing.  Watch this short video: Alpine – Sport Committee Recap- USSA Congress for a brief overview of all changes to the race ski rules for alpine ski racing. After the meeting they distribute a new equipment matrix that details the alpine race ski rules for the upcoming ski racing season.  The USSA and FIS Alpine Equipment Rules Matrix 2015-16 (ver 6) shows the ski length and radius rules for each age category for the 2015-16 season.  As you can see from the image below, this matrix can get pretty confusing, so we have interpreted the chart for you.

Alpine FIS and USSA Race Ski Rules 2015-16

U14 Racers (racers age 12 and 13 years old)

Race ski rules for ski length and radius have not changed for U14 athletes 2015-16 season.

  • U14 athletes SL and GS there is no ski radius or ski length requirement.
  • U14 Super G there is no length or radius rule but the recommendation is to use a GS or SG ski that is 10 – 20 cm longer than your GS ski.

U16 Racers (racers age 15 and 14 years old)

Race ski rules for ski length and radius have not changed for U16 athletes 2015-16 season.

  • U16 athletes SL there is no ski radius or ski length ski requirement.  Most athletes this age should be skiing 150cm or longer slalom ski.
  • U16 athletes GS there is a radius requirement of 17m or greater.  This enables the U16 athlete to use most skis manufactured from 160cm on up  (with some companies having a 155cm ski that is greater than 17m for GS).  That being said, most athletes this age should be starting to look to adult skis 175cm – 188cm with a radius of 23m are greater for GS.  This will make their transition to U19 much easier.
  • U16 Super G skis will need to be 183cm or longer and have a radius greater than 27m.  All Super G specific skis on the market today that are 183cm or longer conform to this regulation of 27m or greater.  In many cases athletes use GS skis for Super G and most GS skis will have a radius greater than 27m, but you need to double-check the ski.

U19 Racers (formerly called U18 – racers age 16 years and older)

For the new age designation – U19, which replaces U18 for athletes age 16 – 17 and 18 years old, there are different requirements for men and women.  These race ski rules are different from last year.

  • U19 Mens SL regulation is to have a ski 155cm or longer.  Full sized males will probably be faster on a 165cm SL ski and should probably move to this as soon as possible.
  • U19 Womens SL require a ski that is 155cm or longer.
  • U19 Mens GS USSA requirement is for GS skis that are 180cm or longer and greater than 23m. (If they are racing any FIS races, follow FIS rule.)
  • U19 Womens GS USSA requirement is for GS skis that are 175cm or longer and greater than 23m. (If they are racing any FIS races, follow FIS rule.)
  • U19 Mens Super G ski requirement is 200cm or longer and greater than 33m radius skis.  What this means is that all SG skis that have been produced in the last 10 yrs 200cm or longer are legal – none of these Super G skis are FIS legal though, only USSA legal.
  • U19 Women Super G ski requirement is 195cm or longer and greater than 33m radius skis.  What this means is that all adult SG skis that have been produced in the last 10 yrs 195cm or longer are legal – none of these Super G skis are FIS legal though, only USSA legal.  Be aware, there are some Junior Super G skis on the market that are 195cm that have 27 – 30 meter radius.  These skis are not legal for USSA U19 ski racing.

The 2015-16 race ski rules explained above apply to athletes who are only participating in USSA races.  All U14 and U16 athletes ski USSA races only. These athletes should concentrate on the USSA ski regulations.  At the U19 level athletes have a choice; they can ski USSA races only, they can ski FIS races only or they can ski both USSA and FIS races.  Some U19 athletes opt to ski USSA races only, these athletes should use the USSA U19 ski regulations.  Some U19 athletes opt to ski in both USSA and FIS –  it is recommended for these athletes both men and women conform to the FIS regulations for both training and racing USSA and FIS events.  The above mentioned rules do not apply to U19 racers skiing in FIS races only.

FIS Racers (racers age 16 and older)

FIS race ski rules, which apply to athletes 16 yrs and older that are skiing FIS races have not changed.  These race ski rules apply to all athletes skiing any FIS races.

  • FIS Mens SL requires skis that are 165cm or longer – all FIS men use a 165cm ski.
  • FIS Womens SL requires skis that are 155cm or longer.  SL skis are available in  155cm, 156cm, 157cm, and 158cm (length varies by manufacturer) – which are all suitable sizes for women.
  • FIS Mens GS skis required are 190cm or longer with a radius greater than 35m. (Most male athletes use the 195cm GS ski.)
  • FIS Womens GS skis required are 183cm or longer with a radius greater than 30m.  (Most female athletes use the 188cm ski.)
  • FIS Mens Super G skis are required to be 205cm or longer with a 45m radius. (Which means Super G skis that have been produced within the last 3 years.)
  • FIS Womens Super G skis are required to be 200cm or longer with a 40 m radius. (Which means SG skis that have been produced within the last 3 years.)

The race ski rules can get pretty confusing.  If you are unsure which skis your kids need to ski, give us a call at 802-422-9447.