Update on the BSS Youth International Alpine Racing Programme for 2014-15

BSS today provides an update on its programme of youth alpine racing for U16s and U14s. It is now possible that we will attend 1-2 more events than originally anticipated with the possibility of attending an invitation event (U16 only, to be confirmed) in Kitzbuehel during the Hahnenkamm week as well as the Scara races in Val d’Isere.

As we have previously announced, early season U16 race allocations will be limited to members of the BSS U16 squad although squad membership does not guarantee a start. Later season allocations will take into account form during the Christmas races. U14 race allocations involve co-operation with the Home Nations. We are currently expecting early season race allocations to take place by the end of September.

The BSS Board is delighted that Dr Jenny Shute has agreed to lead the U16/U14 international race programme as Manager of BSS Youth Alpine Racing. Jenny will be assisted by the Alpine Business Group where appropriate.  BSS is immensely grateful for the continued support of Trespass who will supply clothing for the 14^th successive season.

Although there have been some changes, these arrangements are part of the implementation of the substantial majority of the BSS Board’s recommendations following the survey that was led by Tim Fawke in the summer of 2013.

Provisional Programme

The table below gives the provisional programme with current expectations of dates:

Event	Country	Date	Status
Hahnenkamm invitation event	Kitzbuehel, Austria	21-22 January	To be confirmed
Ski Interkriterium	Czech Republic	23-24 January
Trofeu Borrufa	Andorra	26-29 January
Pokal Loka	Slovenia	14-15 February
Trofeo Topolino	Folgaria, Italy	6-7 March
Trofeo Pinocchio	Abetone, Italy	20-21 March
Coupe Scarafiotti	Val d’Isere	9-10 April

 

NB the dates given above are the race dates, travel dates to be confirmed. There will normally be 1-3 training days prior to the races.

Race Allocations

We are currently expecting the early season race allocations to be announced by the end of September. This process will cover the events above that take place in January and February: Andorra, Czech Republic, Austria (tbc) and Slovenia. At the U16 level only athletes within the BSS U16 squad will be eligible, although membership of the squad will not guarantee a place. Allocations will primarily be on the basis of race results from last season. At the U14 level BSS will work with the Home Nations to allocate athletes to the events.

Allocations for the events that take place in March and April are expected to be made shortly after the Christmas races. At the U16 level account will be taken of the form of all athletes and race allocations will not necessarily be restricted to current members of the BSS U16 Squad. At the U14 level BSS will again work with the Home Nations to allocate athletes to the events.

For the majority of these events FIS rules restrict the national entries to six U16 athletes and four U14 athletes, with a maximum of four of any one gender in each category. There are also age related limits to the number of international events that U16 and U14 athletes are allowed to attend during a season.

Please note that full teams of ten athletes may not be sent to all events

Costs

Despite the generous support of our sponsors and some variable subsidies from the race organisers (the extent of these yet to be confirmed for the coming season), there will still be a need for contributions from athletes/parents but we are expecting these to be held at the same level as in recent years. Details will follow shortly.

Context of Board Recommendations following 2013 survey

During the summer of 2013 the Board of BSS conducted an extensive survey led by Tim Fawke on the future of what was the BSS British Children’s Alpine Team. The significant majority of the recommendations that were made subsequent to this survey have been put in place, but we wished to add commentary in three specific areas:

-          The Alpine Business Group is delighted that Dr Jenny Shute has agreed to continue to lead the U16/U14 international race programme as Manager of BSS Youth Alpine Racing.  Jenny’s many years of experience and her international roles and contacts will continue to provide BSS Youth Alpine racing with opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere. Jenny and the ABG will be looking to find volunteers to take on some areas of the management of the Youth team through this season, and will hope to identify a series of individuals who may provide a succession plan for the future. The duration of tenure will be discussed when a suitable successor or succession plan has emerged.

-          The initial report envisaged only a limited presence in U14 racing. BSS has revisited this and as in 2013-14 will work with the Home Nations to provide a reasonably full range of opportunities for our U14s.

-          The initial report provided a recommended structure for a Management group to oversee what has become BSS Youth Racing. This structure will not be followed as originally envisaged but BSS believes that the continuation of a separate Alpine Business Group with input from the recently established BSS Alpine Coaches Advisory Group will provide an appropriate context for both support and oversight.