Check the Schedule tab or click here HVRC Schedule 2012-2013 for the tentative 2012-2013 race and practice schedule.  As you will see, there are (5) Open Cup Races that are included with HVRC membership.  We have also added (5) practices this year.  Two are Friday night practices and three are practices on USSA race days for our younger racers who are not competing.  Please be aware that the schedule is subject to change as weather and snow conditions dictate.   

Club dues this year will be $325 per racer, which includes all practices including our annual clinic, the five Open Cups, and the year-end banquet.  Club dues should be paid by December 29^th and every racer must send in the Release form which you’ll find on the Info page.     Those members that are renewing need not send in a club application unless their personal information has changed.  Please let us know if your racer will be joining HVRC this year.   

It’s our understanding that John Denard (U16) has had back surgery and everything went well.  The recovery time is significant so give John a call and let him know our thoughts are with him.  Jamie Manson (2004 – 2009 HVRC member) will be married to Dustin Arthurs August 4^th.  She becomes the 1^st HVRC alumnus to be married. 

The Hidden Valley Ski Patrol is hosting its annual golf outing on  Sunday, September 16^th.  The ski patrol has been an avid supporter of HVRC and this is an opportunity for us to help them with their annual fund raiser.  You can register at www.hvsp.golfreg.com .  The outing comes highly recommended by Ralph M!  Anyone interested in setting up a group can give him a call. 

If you are joining the club this year, your racer must obtain a USSA card.  Please remember that HVRC membership requires USSA membership.  HVRC club is a USSA club and so we are covered from a liability standpoint.  Part of your USSA dues helps pay for this coverage.  Part of the renewal requires medical insurance that you carry.  The membership application will not be processed without medical coverage.   

Hopefully all of last year’s racers are in the process of renewing their USSA membership.  Renewing members must complete their renewal by October 15^th.  If your racer is a first time USSA member and has not signed up, this can be done anytime between now and January.  Note that the late fee for registering after Oct 15 is waived for first time members only.  There are several membership levels depending on what your racer will be doing.  For HVRC, there are only two levels that matter; Competitor and Youth Competitor.  Competitor is for racers that are age 12 and older prior to the cutoff date.  This would includeU21, U18, U16, and U14(old  J1 thru J4.  This is a change from last year!  Youth Competitor (U12 and U10 (old J5-J6) is for racers under age 12 prior to the cutoff date.  The cutoff date for age groups is December 31 regardless of birthdate.  For example, if you turned age 13 on February 8^th, 2012, you are considered age 13 (U14) for the entire 2012-2013 race season even though you will turn 14 in the middle of the season. 

This year HVRC is recommending that all racers go through concussion baseline testing prior to the race season.  Baseline testing is quickly becoming a requirement for sports activity and in the event of a potential concussion event, makes diagnosis and clearance to return a much more accurate process.  Consult your primary physician or look online for facilities that handle baseline testing.  The cost is supposed to be quite reasonable.  One that we have been advised of is  http://www.impacttest.com/pdf/First_Provide_Baseline_Recreational.pdf  .   When you submit for USSA membership, part of the process is to read and sign off on the USSA Concussion Policy.   You should also be aware that as coaches, we are responsible for ensuring the policy is followed to the letter.  What this means is that if we witness or hear of a racer exhibiting concussion symptoms, we are required to remove the racer from practice/race activities until a qualified physician has examined and released the racer for physical activity.  We are also required to report the event to USSA and submit a copy of the physician’s release when it is issued before the racer can participate in USSA/HVRC activities.  Many of our racers are quite active on the slopes after practice and falls do occur.  If you notice concussion symptoms at home, we encourage a proactive stance that has the racer evaluated as soon as possible.      

Please be reminded that per the USSA rules, a helmet with hard sides covering the ears is required for USSA races. It is also HVRC policy for the racers to use helmets during all practices.  It is best if the helmet has a removable chin guard.  USSA rules forbid a Slalom chin guard to be used for GS races due to safety issues.   

As many of you are aware, USSA will be changing the age groups for next season.  Effectively, all age groups will be held back one year.  For example, a 2^nd year J4 at 12 years old will be a 2^nd year U-14 (J4) next season.   There are no changes planned for qualification for the J4/5 (now U12/U14) State Derby; however, U10 (J6) will no longer be able to elect to race as U12 (J5) to attempt to make this derby.  There may be a state derby for U10 in the future, but no plans have been formalized.  The U16 (J3) group has the most change as 2^nd year racers will be able to run the PA Cup Series and still qualify for the J3 (now U16) State Derby.   

Have a closet filled with outgrown or no longer used ski apparel, boots, or equipment? The Hidden Valley Race Club is piloting a “Craig’s List” for skiers, in which race members can post  items they’d like to sell, and browse for ski stuff they’d like to buy. We’re starting simple, so here’s all you have to do:

Send an email to Sandy Blasey (sandyblasey@comcast.net). Include a short description of the item, including brand, size, color, men’s/women/s/youth, and the price you’d like to get. If price is flexible, say so. If you’d like to include a photo, simply add it as an attachment. Make sure to include an email address where potential buyers can contact you.
The item will be posted on the race website, but it will be up to the buyer to contact the seller directly. Once a transaction has occurred, send me an email and I will remove the item from the website.
Questions? Contact Sandy at sandyblasey@comcast.net.