ERSA Racing
The Suffolk
Vikings are an active member club of the Eastern
Region Ski Association ('ERSA') one of the nine regions that are currently affiliated to the national governing body of
skiing, Snowsport
England (formally known as the English Ski Council). As such, Vikings are
encouraged to take part in the ERSA Summer League competition between the ERSA
member clubs:
·
Becton
·
Hemel
·
Norfolk
·
Vikings
·
Welwyn
·
X-Scape
Idiot's Guide to the ERSA
Summer League
What is it?
The Summer
League is aimed at all ages of skiers and is a good introduction to competitive
ski racing in an informal and fun setting.
Where is it held?
Races are held
at the venues in the Eastern region;
When/how often?
The league
runs from late April/May to October (excluding the school summer holidays) and
races are held on Sundays.
How are they run?
Registration
starts at 8.30am and closes at 9.30am. During this time there is open practise
on the slope. The course is then set, and course inspection starts at about
10am. Racing proper starts at about 10.30am, and each
competitor gets 3 runs. You need to complete 2 runs to get a finish time.
Racers are compete in separate sex and age categories
(based on year of birth) and first, second and third place medals are awarded
in each category.
After the
individual competition is finished, team-based dual slalom races are held.
These dual slaloms comprise of childrens, masters,
and open teams. There is also a rainbow event for everyone who doesn’t make one
of the individual teams, where teams are mixed and are chosen to be of roughly
equal ability, giving even the less experienced racers a chance of picking up a
winner’s medal!
What do we need to bring?
·
Ski equipment (skis, poles (with bungs), boots, helmet,
gloves etc.)
It is possible to hire skis, poles and boots at each slop if required (the cost
is already included in your registration fee), but most skiers tend to bring
their own (carefully prepared!) gear. If you wish to borrow equipment from our
slope, please speak to Cathy behind the desk.
·
Food - picnic lunch and drinks etc. Money - all slopes
run BBQs during the day
·
Something to sit on, and possibly some sort of shelter from
rain, sun etc.
·
Waterproofs, sunscreen, T-shirts, shorts, woollies as
dictated by the weather.
·
Books, gameboys, footballs etc. to
keep the youngsters amused.
Don’t forget
to look out for other Vikings, as we try to sit together if we can!
How much does it cost?
£9 per racer. If you wish to pre-register, the race manager can do this
for you. Please let your race manager know if you wish
to attend a race so that a list of likely racers can be passed on to ERSA. It
will be possible to register on the day as well.
Want to know more?
Speak to one
of our senior racers, or your race manager Lesley Yeung. Maps and directions
are available for all slopes on ERSA’s website, or
from Lesley.
Dates for 2005.
·
April 24 Hemel
·
May 15
·
June 26
·
July 10 Bassingbourne
·
September 11
·
September 25 Welwyn
·
October 16 ERSA Champs at Bassingbourne
There will
also be a team slalom and Giant Slalom event in the autumn, date to be
confirmed.
Race Manager
contact details:
At home: 01473
620871
On the day:
07984 491296
Email: eadieyeung@yahoo.co.uk