Nordic
JANUARY 8 - Registration opens
JANUARY 25 - Registration deadline (5pm)
JANUARY 25: Team captains tab below will be updated with pertinent info.
JANUARY 27: Team dance videos submitted for the banquet. Wax call will be made.
JANUARY 28: Athletes must complete COVID Pre-Screen Questionnaire
COURSE INSPECTIONS 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Sunset Hills
TEAM CAPTAINS' VIRTUAL MEETING: 5 pm (link will be sent)
DISTANCE RACES, FREESTYLE, INDIVIDUAL START
location is now Sunset Hills (Lindley Center) in downtown Bozeman
*Athletes and coaches must complete Daily Symptom Checklist first thing in the morning.
9:00 a.m. Individual starts begin (at 30-second intervals)
Para Sit-Ski 10K distance race
U14: 3.3K
U16: 5K
U18/U20, Open, Para Standing 10K
FREESTYLE SPRINT
*Athletes and coaches must complete Daily Symptom Checklist first thing in the morning.
at Sunset Hills (Lindley Center) in downtown Bozeman
9:00 a.m. Qualification races (Individual start at 30-second intervals).
U14: 1.3K Freestyle Sprint Qualification
U16, U18, U20, Open, Para Standup: 1.5K Freestyle Sprint Qualification
Our race Organizing Committee is following U.S. Ski & Snowboard COVID-19 CC Domestic Competition Guidance policies (Oct. 27, 2020). Please see Operations Plan below for details on race day/venue safety precautions.
Despite our attention to detail, these preventive measures cannot guarantee that event attendees will not contract COVID-19; staying home is the only reliable way to avoid becoming infected with COVID-19. Furthermore, the guidelines we have in place to make this event as safe as possible may be inconvenient for attendees; if you anticipate this to be a problem for you, please do not come to the event.
Important race event procedures:
● Athletes must submit a COVID-19 Pre-Screen Questionnaire within 48 hours of the race event (we recommend submitting this on Thursday, January 28). No one will be able to race without completing this. Athletes must also sign a site waiver/BSF liability release form.
● On Saturday and Sunday mornings, athletes and coaches must complete the COVID-19 Daily Symptom Checklist. Coaches will be required to retain a record of this checklist and certify to the Competition Secretary that they have been completed and all participants are asymptomatic that day. Race bibs will be issued after complete team certification. No one will be able to race without completing this.
● Everyone in all locations of the race venue (stadium, parking lots, wax tents) must wear masks at all times (except when athlete is on the race course). Athletes must replace masks when leaving the finish area. Disposable masks will be available throughout the venue.
● Maintain 6 feet social distance whenever possible!
● Para Sit-ski and stand-up athlete and coach participants from the U.S., Great Britain, and Brazil are training locally and are under strict protocols of PCR testing and other measures. They are also subject to the same prescreening and daily symptom checks and social distancing measures as the other participants.
Plan approved by the Gallatin County Board of Health on 12/9/20. Updated on 1/12/20.
Operating Plan
This event guide follows recommendations from the US Ski and Snowboard COVID-19 Domestic Competitions Guidance (v2, Oct. 27, 2020) and the New England Nordic Ski Association COVID-19 XC Ski Event Host Guide (11/11/2020). Additionally, the guide follows Federal, Montana State, and Gallatin County Health Department orders and guidelines for Phase 2 reopening, in addition to guidelines for all phases, such as hygiene, social distancing, symptom monitoring, and collaboration on contact tracing.
A COVID-19 Coordinator, Dr. Erich Pessl, will be available for the event to work with local health authorities on specific rules and regulations around COVID-19, including but not limited to gathering limits, out-of-state quarantine rules (if applicable), and emergency protocols.
The event Organizing Committee and the COVID Coordinator will consider cancellation of the event if the number of daily cases of COVID in the community is rising significantly in the days leading up to the event OR if the hospital bed census at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital is near capacity.
Event Registration and Meetings
1.) Use online entry and registration payment.
2.) Coaches must register for the event as well.
3.) Team Captain Meetings will be virtual meetings and all race documents will be delivered electronically.
Participant Health Screening
All participants will complete the Pre-Event Health Screen as part of the event registration process. Once at the event, athlete health status updates will be performed using the U.S. Ski & Snowboard COVID Symptom Checklist. Participants will be required to follow health department recommendations on travel and hygiene precautions that are in place at the time of the race from both the athlete's home county/state and Gallatin County/Montana State (Gallatin County Public Health Rules, COVID-19 Phase 2 reopening guidelines).
Additionally, participants will be recommended to follow federal CDC travel safety guidelines at the following webpage: Domestic Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Attendance at the event will be disallowed if a participant (or participant’s household members):
(1) Has a current pending COVID-19 test prompted by symptoms.
(2) Has received a positive COVID-19 test result within the past 14 days.
(3) Was in close contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
(4) Has (or had in the past 14 days) any of the following symptoms:
(a) Fever
(b) Sore throat
(c) Cough
(d) Nasal congestion or runny nose
(e) Muscle or body aches
(f) Loss of taste or sense of smell
(g) Shortness of breath
(5) Has (or had in the past 14 days) any 2 of the following symptoms:
(a) Headache
(b) Nausea and/or vomiting
(c) Diarrhea
(d) Fatigue
Event Social Distancing and Hygiene Precautions
1.) Hand sanitizing stations will be provided throughout the venue, including at portable restrooms, Lindley Center doors, ski waxing area, egress/ingress areas for spectators.
2.) All attendees (athletes, coaches, volunteers, spectators) are required to wear masks at all times when at the race venue (except when athletes are skiing on the race course).
3.) Social distancing:
a.) All races will be 30 second interval start with 15-min. breaks between age groups
b.) Scheduled start lists will be adhered to and racers will be encouraged to schedule arrival, warmup, race, warm down, and departure in order to minimize the time at the venue.
c.) No in-person banquet, food service, or award ceremony will be conducted; and other places of potential congregation of athletes, coaches, and/or spectators will be eliminated, such as results postings, tents or shelters, and building entrances and exits.
e.) Ample room will be provided for spectators and coach/support staff, with the expectation that all people at the venue will wear masks and remain six or further feet apart, except when racing, warming up, or wax testing.
f.) The Organizing Committee will recommend to visiting athletes that no more than 2 spectators per athlete attend the event.
g.) Lindley Center building will be utilized only by volunteers, timing contractor, and medical staff if an emergency arises.
h.) Athletes in start area:
i. Must wear masks until in the start gate (up to 30 seconds before start)
ii. Athletes will be spaced at least 6 feet apart in the start lane
iii. All starts will be individual (no mass starts)
iv. Only 10 athletes will be allowed in the starting pen at any given time
v. A new set of cloth race number bibs will be distributed for each race. After each race, the bibs will be deposited by the athlete into a receptacle that will be handled at the end of the day by staff wearing mask, gloves, and glasses and will be laundered at commercial laundry service.
4.) Course Protocols
a. Trails for races and for pre-race warmup will be designed and marked for one-way travel.
b. Athletes will only be permitted to warm up 1 hour prior to the start of their race.
5.) Results will be distributed electronically instead of posting on-site on results
boards, which encourage congregation.
6.) All race jury and other official meetings will be conducted outdoors.
Travel, Transportation, and Spectators
1.) All participants are encouraged to travel to Bozeman (from clubs in MT, ID, UT, WY) in known, safe, small family or teammate bubbles.
2.) Spectators from outside of Gallatin County are encourage to limit themselves to 1 spectator/athlete; for Gallatin County athletes, spectators will be limited to 2 per athlete.
3.) Athletes and support staff/families will be encouraged eat their meals in their homes or hotel rooms, ordering carry-out meals or buying food at grocery stores.
4.) All attendees will be encouraged to wear masks anytime they are not in their home, hotel room, or automobile.
5.) Parking lot access will be within walking distance to the venue to prevent having to use shuttles for all attendees.
If COVID Symptoms/Cases Develop During the Event or a Post-Event:
1.) Require any participant who tests positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms consistent with the disease beginning within 48 hours after the conclusion of the event to notify the host and contact the event’s COVID Coordinator.
2.) Immediately isolate anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms. Notify local healthcare facility to transport the individual home or to a healthcare testing facility as directed.
3.) Individuals who have had close contact with a person who has symptoms or who has
tested positive, should quarantine according to state/regional guidelines.
4.) In accordance with state and local privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations, and
while maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and other applicable laws and regulations, notify local health officials, staff,
participants, and families immediately of any case of COVID-19.
Registration is scheduled to open on January 8, 2021. (Link will be below.)
Registration Fees:
U16, U18, U20, Para & Open: $35 per race
U14: $22 per race
U.S. Ski & Snowboard license required for U16 & older athletes.
Registration deadline: Monday, January 25, 5:00 p.m. ($50 fee per athlete for late entries.)
Eligibility: Registration is currently limited to IMD athletes or open or para-athletes affiliated with or training at an IMD affiliated venue. We are capping the event at 300 total registrants. If the cap has not been met by 1/26, we will open registration to non-IMD individuals.
Complete athlete and coach registration spreadsheet. Due January 25 at 5:00 pm.
Each athlete must complete BSF liability form/waiver. (Note: this is now a link and can be submitted online.)
Each athlete will need to complete the COVID-19 Pre-Screen Questionnaire. The form will open Thursday, January 28, and it should be filled out that day.
Bring payment to Course Preview on Friday, January 29 (or by appointment).
COVID-19 Daily Symptom Checklist will be provided prior to the meet and will need to be completed prior to entering venue for competition each day. Each team will have their own link to a form, so that their coaches can track responses.
To make changes to any submitted entries or to add a late registration, please fill out the Athlete Change & Late Entry Form. $50 fee per athlete for late entries.
ENTRY LIST
Available January 26
START LISTS: Available on January 29, 7 pm.
Start lists and results: https://my.raceresult.com/164198/
Timing by Muddy Dog Sports
JANUARY 25: We'll post a written document right here with all the pertinent details for team captains.
JANUARY 29 - 5 pm - Virtual Team Captains Meeting (link will be sent)
We need your help. These races are in residential neighborhoods. Please do not park in residential parking areas. Follow the designated parking areas outlined below. You may drop off athletes at the Lindley Center on East Curtiss.
TEAM VEHICLES: Coaches parking is available along Cypress and East Curtiss St.
PARA ATHLETES: The parking lot at Lindley Center is reserved for Para athletes only on Saturday.
ATHLETE VEHICLES: the softball field lot (corner of Ellis & Highland). Overflow in Lot E at hospital.
VOLUNTEERS & SPECTATORS: Lot E at the hospital, on Old Highland Blvd.
RACE OFFICIALS: west side of Golf Way
RULES OF COMPETITION: All U16+ athletes must be registered members of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and the competition will follow USSS rules. Para Competition is sanctioned by World Para Nordic and follows associated rules. Seeding will be based on NRL points. Seeding for U16 will be based on Intermountain Division ranking.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Chief of Competition: Steve Patterson (jury)
Asst Chief of Competition: Heidi Makoutz
Competition Secretary: Jason Nicholas
Assistant Competition Secretary: Natalie Flowers
Technical Delegate: Pete Freire (jury)
Assistant Technical Delegate: Maggie Shane (jury)
Chief of Course: Matt Johnson
Chief of Timing: Jeff Wyatt
Assistant Chief of Timing: Molly Bowman
Chief of Stadium: David Coletta
Assistant Chief of Stadium: Jenn Adams
Head of Medical: Dr. Jeff Rasch
COVID Subcommittee Chair: Dr. Erich Pessl
Parking Co-coordinators: DT Thompson, Joe Hansen
Volunteer Coordinator: Cliff Montagne
This event will follow the IMD Wax Policy which can be found here. The race organizers will make a wax call by the morning of Wednesday, January 27th, which will be communicated to all coaches via email.
As of 1/6/21 we have about 1.5K (two-way width) of human-made snow trails groomed (see map). This effort utilized ~800k gallons of water and 25 shifts of people working late nights and early mornings. We hope to make more snow and get some natural between now and the race days. The planned courses are what we hope to be able to develop. The Para Sit-Ski Distance Course map will be posted soon.
Stay tuned as our snow opportunities materialize.
Wax testing and warm-up areas will be provided.
Below are our planned courses that assume some natural snow. Improved maps showing lap lanes and more detail will be developed.
Distance Course (in event of low snow)
Please refer to the “COVID Considerations” section of this webpage for the BSF COVID-19 Event Guide for procedures that have been submitted to the Gallatin County Health Department to ensure the safety of all in attendance at the races.
Keeping all attendees at the race venue safe from COVID is of primary concern to us. We are taking extraordinary measures to limit areas of congregation and insure social distancing, mask-wearing, and use of hand sanitizer. Realistically, however, the manner in which family members, athletes, and their team members conduct themselves in the city of Bozeman while away from the venue may pose a greater risk of COVID transmission than at the race venue.
We therefore recommend the measures during your visit to Bozeman:
● Do not travel to the event in the first place if you have any COVID symptoms!
● We request that visitors from outside of Bozeman/Gallatin County limit their travelers to ONE SPECTATOR PER ATHLETE.
● If local or regional COVID transmission rates are rising significantly as the event date approaches, the race committee may prohibit spectators at the venue entirely.
● Wear a mask at all times when outside of your hotel room or when not inside your automobile.
● Bring food to eat in your hotel room, order take-out food or curb-side pick-up food items rather than eating at restaurants.
● When at the race venue, stay 6 feet from nearby spectators (and, again, wear masks at all times).
● SPECTATORS ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE START/FINISH/STADIUM AREA. The race course will have excellent viewing along its entirety! And because the races are interval start races, there will not be any photo finishes to see! See course maps for spectator trails around the course perimeter.
● Consider bringing binoculars and folding camp chairs to minimize moving about amongst other spectators.
● Results will not be posted on site, and there will not be an on-site awards ceremony, so use your smart phones to access that information.
● The Lindley Center will not be open to spectators or athletes/coaches. The 25-person capacity will be used for medical emergencies, Competition Secretary, Timing Contractor, TD and Jury, and other specified volunteers. Therefore, dress appropriately for the expected weather conditions and consider bringing a thermos for hot beverages.
● COVID prevention volunteers will provide friendly reminders to anyone who is not wearing a mask or who is not maintaining 6 feet social distancing.
● If activity at the Saturday races does not adhere to COVID safety recommendations, the race committee in coordination with the TD and Jury may close the event to spectators on Sunday or make other necessary safety protocol adjustments.
Enjoy the event! Stay safe and healthy. And please help prevent the spread of COVID in Bozeman during this event.
PARKING: See above.
SKIING: BSF grooms Community Nordic Trails at six venues in Bozeman. There's great skiing at Highland Glen, adjacent to the race course (and right next to the Ellis St. parking lot). Trail passes are voluntary; if you enjoyed your ski, please consider a trail pass or donation to BSF to support the grooming effort and snowmaking at Sunset Hills.
To maximize predictability and flexibility for volunteers, the Bozeman JNQ Committee has identified more than 100 separate volunteer slots. You make this event a success for our youth skiers, and we encourage everyone to sign up for multiple slots and/or days across the three-day event.
In January, your Crew Chief will contact you with details regarding your specific volunteer slot(s).
SIGN UP HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44abae23a6ff2-2021
Huge thanks to The Lark Bozeman for sponsoring the lodging for race officials.
HOTEL DISCOUNTS for racers: The Lark has offered you a special rate of $109 for a few different room types. Use Corporate/Promotion Code: SKI2021
The Lark is located on Main Street in Bozeman and is 1 mile from the race venue.
FOOD: The following local restaurants have donated food for our race volunteers. They all offer takeout and are a great local option. (Again, we urge visitors to do takeout and not dine-in.)
We will be hosting a virtual banquet in response to COVID, via Zoom.
To keep the boogie in the banquet, each team is encouraged to submit a team dance video for our banquet entertainment and competition. Bring your swag and your sparkle, and include as many team members as possible. Costumes definitely encouraged. Videos must be under two minutes and everyone attending will vote on the best choreography, creativity, and beats. Let's go! Please submit dance videos no later than January 27th.
Video submission details: please send a link to your video (Youtube link preferred) to Brian at bbothner@montana.edu by January 27.