USSA has adopted equipment standards that will be imposed at USSA scored alpine events this season. References to the equipment rules can be found on page 135 of the 2007-2008 Alpine Competition Guide and can also be found on the Alpine Rules page of the USSA website.
Guidelines for equipment protest:
- If there is a protest against the equipment of a competitor, the TD/Jury will confiscate (normally in the finish) the suspect equipment.
- The jury will make all possible decisions “on site” regarding compliance of equipment.
- In cases where the measurement cannot be made on site, the TD will send the equipment to USSA for testing.
- Equipment protests require a $100 (USD) protest fee.
- The losing party of the protest is responsible for all shipping, testing and related fees.
How an equipment protest (ACR 641.1) could work, the specifics will be subject to TD and Jury protocol and instructions to the Team Captains at specific events.
- The athlete must compete or intend to compete on the suspect equipment. Equipment protests cannot be considered or accepted if the athlete with the suspect equipment has departed the finish area. Athletes must exit the finish through the exit gate with the same equipment as used in their race run, any attempts to avoid an equipment check by the Finish Referee or Jury member shall be grounds for disqualification, and possibly further sanction.
- The coach or team captain who observes the equipment that is suspect would alert the start referee of his imminent intention to protest the equipment being used by that competitor. Protests will only be considered from trainers or team captains (ACR 645).
- The start referee, if the athlete has started, alerts the finish referee, and the jury, that there is a pending protest against equipment and that the equipment must be evaluated or confiscated for evaluation when the competitor arrives in the finish.
- The coach must formalize the protest, at the end of the race, with the written protest and the $100 protest fee within 15 minutes of the last competitor finishing (ACR 643.3).
- The jury will then evaluate the equipment and render a decision regarding the equipment.
- If the TD must ship equipment for evaluation to USSA headquarters then the $100 protest fee will be used to cover the shipping expenses.
Acceptable equipment control devices for USSA alpine equipment evaluation include:
- The Winters/Reliable Racing stand height caliper.
- The Calderwood and Kai boot measuring devices.
- All FIS approved equipment-testing devices.
Additional guidelines and information:
- Alpine competition equipment will be subject to unannounced testing during the competition season in USSA scored alpine events for alpine competitors 15 years and older.
- Skis must be clearly marked with both the length and the radius. Unmarked skis will be grounds for disqualification.
- Equipment protests cannot be considered or accepted if the athlete with the suspect equipment has departed the finish area.
The start and finish referee’s responsibility to monitor equipment and communicate to the jury is critical in this process and should be reviewed by the TD at each event. TD instructions to these individuals must be clear. It is essential that the start and finish referee communicate with and report their findings to the competition jury.
For further information please contact:
USSA Competition Services Department
Walt Evans, National Competition Director
compservices@ussa.org
