USSA

Updated: September 16, 2011
 
PLEASE NOTE:
The SWATeam USSA program will ONLY be offered if SWATeam Racing, Inc. has a sufficient number of athletes participating in the program to cover costs.  PLEASE contact the SWATeam office or your athlete's coach if you or your athlete are interested or considering joining USSA AND COMPETING in any of their competitions.  The USSA/FIS programs are available for racers wishing to pursue competition on a Regional and National level.
IF SWATeam is not offering the program for the season or a SWATeam coach is not attending any of the events we will make sure we connect you and your athlete with a coach or other program offered by other teams in Southeastern Wisconsin, or Michigan.  There are many other coaches traveling to these events that are willing to coach and guide SWATeam athletes in USSA or FIS programs.  Separate/additional fees are required to pay to the other coach or team.  SWATeam is not responisble for those fees.  When your athlete competes in any USSA or FIS sponsored events/programs they MUST HAVE A COACH REPRESENTATING THEM present at the event.  This is a requirement of USSA/FIS programs.  This includes the J 4/5/6 Finale and the J 3/4 Qualifer at the end of the season. You and your athlete cannot just 'show up' and say you want to race at the event.  Prior to the event [usually the evening before] there is a 'coaches meeting' and every registered athletes name is announced.  The coach representating that athlete must respond when the name is read.  IF NO COACH responds that they are representating that athlete, the athlete will not be able to participate in the event/competition.  This is the reason WHY it is important for a parent/athlete to notify their SWATeam coach that they are going to or want to participate in a USSA/FIS event. 
 
How do you decide if your athlete is ready for USSA competitions? 
1.  Your athlete is finishing WJR races in the top 5 of their class [not just in the top 5 against their team mates] at most events.
2.  Your athlete is exceeding their potential and is interested in competing at a higher level.
3.  You [the parent] are willing to pay the additional fees required by USSA and CUSSA for your child to compete in and travel.
4.   Talk to your athletes coach!
 
FYI:  USSA races involve athletes from multiple states; Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan & Minnesota who are also finishing in the top 5 in their classes. 
 
 
IF SWAT has enough athletes for the season interested and we have a coach available to attend the events then:
 
A S.W.ATeam coach will provide supervised training and race day supervision at the number of events discussed with the parents (TBA) during the respective season.  USSA & FIS race competitions run multiple days; require considerable travel and expenses not covered in the SWATeam application fee. You must be a member of USSA and also register in the Region 2 program. Both of these programs have additional fees that they charge for your athlete to participate in.  You will be charged a fee by the USSA organization [which you join/register for first] and then another additional fee that will be paid to the Central Region 2 USSA program.  All travel expenses and costs for lift tickets at the respective Ski Hills hosting the competitions are at your own cost.  If you are considering USSA racing, please contact us for more information.
 
IF SWATeam has enough athletes interested in the USSA/FIS programs then we operate as follows:
 
Your athlete can join one of two programs SWATeam offers. 
PROGRAM 1:  WJR & USSA Class 1-4.  In this program your athlete will ALSO participate/compete in the WJR races for the season AND any USSA or FIS race competitions they have paid for.
PROGRAM 2:  USSA/FIS RACER ONLY.  In this program your athlete is ONLY participating/competing in the USSA/FIS competions offered for the respetive season.
Required Ages:  11 to 18 (as of 12/31/11)
ALL RACERS MUST be a member of the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) which is the National governing body of skiing. You must apply, on your own, for a USSA license.

WHAT PROGRAM #1 OFFERS:
•    Racing in 6 WJR events.
•    Athletes participating in USSA races can choose either the one (1), three (3) or full (5) race option through CUSSA Region II and pay Central fees.  Fee's are different depending on how many races your athletes wants to compete in. 
•    S.W.AT. coaching staff for the respective season will provide coaching for 3 or 4 USSA races, depending on the schedule and availability of coaches. 
•   Coaching includes:
     • Course inspection & instruction prior to each run.
     • Start/finish area assistance and course report.
     • Ski prep analysis prior to each run.
     • Video analysis, when available.
     • Race run evaluation.
   
WHAT PROGRAM #2 OFFERS:
Everything above EXCEPT the athlete is NOT participating in any WJR competitions.
 
 
SWATeam PRICE INCLUDES:
•    $35.00 racing fee to WJR for racers in the WRJ program.
•    Dry land training 
•    On-snow pre-season training.
     ~    Tuesday nights - 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
     ~    Saturday & Sunday mornings 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
[The race season generally runs from the second weekend in December until the last race of the season for WJR racers. Dates to be announced. Opening depends on weather and snow conditions at Alpine Valley Resort who has snowmaking capabilities that help insure a full race season.]
•    Session for goal setting, physical conditioning planning and season planning.
•    1:10 ratio or less coaching on training nights.
 
WHAT THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
•    USSA, FIS and Region II membership & race option fees.
•    Season pass for Alpine Valley Resort (required). Obtain forms & return to SWAT.
•    Lift tickets at the other ski areas on all WJR and USSA/FIS race days.
•    Thanksgiving and/or Christmas camps.
•    Coaching at a FIS event.
•    Coaching/training at a Junior Olympic event.
•    Coaching/training at any other race event (out of division races) your child enters or qualifies for.


Thank you for allowing your children to race with S.W.A.Team Racing. We appreciate your support and your involvement in our racing program.