Past Stories

The next meeting of the DSAC Board of Directors will be on Thursday, February 16, at 6:30 p.m. 

The meeting will be held at the DSAC Team Room at Spirit Mountain, and is open to all parents, friends, etc. - everyone is welcome.   

This year's Atmore ski race is scheduled for February 3-5.  It promises to be 3 days of high-caliber slalom racing.  Many of our parents will receive a notice via email to volunteer for positions on the race course and timing.  In addition to the on-hill worker positions there are many other fabulous opportunities for helping out. 

Volunteers are needed in registration (beginning Thursday Feb. 2), food preparation and delivery, and other exotic capacities. 

This is one of our major club fundraisers.  Proceeds from this event help keep our training fees down as well as offset costs for gates, timing equipment, B-Net, and other essentials. 

If you'd like to help, please contact Karen Tusa at tusadk@mchsi.com or Darlene Seelos at dkseelos@gmail.com.    

If you are interested in volunteering, but need more information on the various jobs, please click here.    

For those interested in accessing Live Timing to watch the progress of a race and stay in touch with their athlete's performance, there is a link on the Resources page of our Team Duluth site and also here. 

The sole purpose of the Live Timing site is to present ski races to the world in Real Time!

Any club or resort using Split Second's software or NASTAR software to manage their timing can have their data sent directly to Live-Timing.com, for free!

It is used to:

• Schedule upcoming races.


• List entries in a race (before the race).


• Show Real Time data during the timing of the race. This includes who is on course,who has recently finished and all results.


• Display status messages about the race, for example "10 minute break for course repair".


• Show unofficial results and other reports.

Check it out when you get a chance or when you can't be there to cheer your son or daughter on in person. 

Results for FIS and USSA events can be found on the respective websites, and links for those can be found on our Resources page. 

There will be a club race on Saturday, January 21, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Spirit Mountain.

Club races are designed as fun (yet educational) events for both parents and athletes.  As the forerunner of the NJRS races, club races were the original functions for club members to race and show their stuff on a local level. 

It's a great opportunity for parents to become more familiar with helping at a race, without the pressure of a formal event.  It's also a wonderful time to socialize and watch your athletes rip it up.

Although it is a fun event, we will still need some volunteers to help with the organization and running of the race on Saturday.  Those who don't volunteer will be assigned at random on race day. 

Please contact Gretchen Ransom at gretch1099@msn.com to help with positions such as:

• Starter


• Assistant Starter


• Course workers


• Gatejudges


• Timing


• Announcer


• Scoreboard


• Finish Area

Thanks.

There appears to be a problem with the service that drives the hotlinks section of our website.  

Until we get this resolved, please check your email - training plans for age class and ability will be sent out later this morning.  

If in doubt, bring both SL and GS gear to practice and check the whote board for the most up to date plan.  

11:30-1:30. 2 people inside, 2 people outside.

10:30-1:00. 2 people inside, 2 people outside.

Team Duluth has a online video page called Sprongo.  Most Team Duluth training and race videos will be available to athletes online.
If you would like to become a member email cdanelski@hotmail.com or nick_clingman@yahoo.com and you will be sent an invite. 

Sprongo is a free video service that allows us to post videos and then have athletes view the videos.  Athletes and coaches can tag the videos which are then stored under the tagged name for later viewing (in the Team Room, at home,etc).  Clips can be viewed in slow motion, drawn on, compared with others, and overlaid with another athlete.  This is a private page for club members

Early season training for Age/Ability athletes will begin on Saturday, December 3. 

Weekend training times for early season are:  9-1, Saturday and Sunday. 

Weeknight training times are 5-8 p.m. 

Conditions will dictate type of training, but training will take place irrespective of hill conditions.   

Registration materials for the 2011-12 season are now available here.

In a change from past practices, we are holding 2 registration events.

• Tuesday October 18, during with the fall Pot-Luck, from 6-8pm in the main chalet at Spirit Mountain.


• Tuesday November 15th from 6-8pm in the Team Room at Spirit Mountain (the first building you come to after you pass the Spirit Mountain entry sign.)

These sessions will be the only times we will be equipped to process credit cards to pay registration fees (though we still prefer checks as it saves the club $10-15 per athlete in processing fees). 

Athletes who are registered through the mail with a check can register outside of the November 15th sign-up, but will be charged a late fee after November 15.   

Registrations recieved before the November 15th deadline are elligible for a $25 discount.   Late registrations are subject to space availability (age class came very close to filling up last year) and can be mailed in to the address listed on the forms with payment by check or money order. 

Athletes/parents unsure about which program is right for them, or wishing to move up age class from D-Team, should speak with Scott Ransom, Head Coach (218-628-9663).

Don't forget to download your study guides and rule books BEFORE you go to the AO clinic/update at Wild Mountain.

In the effort to go electronic, USSA will no longer be mailing out a "hard copy" of the Alpine Competition Rules or ACR.  You can download the USSA rules by clicking here (click on Alpine Competition Guide on the page), and the FIS rules by clicking here (click on the ICR).  The precisions for the FIS rules are located here. 

In addition, you'll want to print a study guide out and study it before you attend the class.  You'll be more prepared and get more information out of the class you're attending.  To download the appropriate study guide for your class, click here. 

FYI - laptop computers, desktop computers, Blackberrys, I-Phones, etc. are not allowed for the testing portion of the class. 

There will be a USSA Course Official's clinic held at the Team Room following the Board Meeting on Wednesday, November 9.  This clinic is designed for people new to the racing scene.  Basic rules, race organization, and other riveting facts will be discussed. 

The CO accreditation is required for individuals interested in attaining further levels of USSA officiating.  It's also a great way to learn the basic rules of the road.  There is no fee for attending the clinic.  For more information, email Gretchen at gretch1099@msn.com

There will also be a USSA Alpine Officials Clinic in Minneapolis the weekend of November 12-13 at Wild Mountain.  Classes offered will include the Course Official Level (CO), as well as USSA Update, Chief of Race, Referee, Timing and Calculations, Chief of Course and Technical Delegate.  For class registration and information, please click here. 

Clinic attendees are strongly encouraged to download the study guides and applicable rules prior to the clinics.  For a selection of study guides, please click here.   

Just a reminder - the annual Region 1 USSA Officials Clinic/Update is being held at Wild Mountain the weekend of November 12-13.  The weekend will feature classes including Course Official, USSA Update, Chief of Race, Chief of Course, Timing and Calculations, Referee, and Technical Delegate. 

For more information on class schedule, requirements, etc., please click here. 

The 39th Annudal DSAC Ski Swap is this weekend !!!!!

Our annual ski swap will be held October 28-30 in the Bear Paw and Eagles Nest Chalets at Spirit Mountain. 

Hours are:

Friday, October 28 - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 29 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, October 30 - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday we need all athletes up at Spirit to help as runners at check-in as soon as possible after school.  Come to the doors on the right (under the check in sign) and go around the line, if there is one.  Someone will be at the door to let you in.   

Thank you to Spirit Mountain, and all the parents, coaches, vendors, patrons, athletes, and countless others who help make the Swap happen. 

The Fall Potluck Gathering for Alpine and Freestyle team members will take place on Tuesday, October 18, at 6:00 p.m.  It will be held in the Bear Paw Chalet at Spirit Mountain.  

The potluck is the annual DSAC kick-off event for the winter season.  All current and prospective members and their parents are welcome.  This includes D-Team, Age Team, Ability Team, and Freestyle Teams. 

The meeting is designed to increase awareness and familiarity between the parents, athletes, coaches, and the club.  In addition to the potluck dinner, the DSAC Board Members and coaches will be introduced.  Ski team members and their parents will also have an individual group meeting with a coach to discuss expectations of the athletes and families for the upcoming season. 

Please bring to share:

• Age Class - main dish item


• D-Team - side dish item


• Freestyle - salads


• Ability - fruit/dessert

Attendance is stongly encouraged, so please come join in the fun!     

In case you haven't received one of the informational emails, Team Duluth and Region 1 of Central USSA will be offering a physical assessment test for athletes J4 (age 11) and older on Sunday, September 18, at Spirit Mountain.   The test will take place in the Eagles Nest/Bearpaw Chalet, and it is designed to measure and record an athlete's level of physical conditioning. 

There is no win or lose on the testing, it's simply a recording of an athlete's current fitness level.  Athletes that have participated in the testing in prior years will be able to compare their results with those of years past.  The assessment is not mandatory, however, athletes who desire to qualify for Team Central must participate in the testing. 

For those unable to participate on Sunday, there is also a physical assessment taking place in Minneapolis on Saturday the 17th through Region 1. 

The testing will begin at 10:00 a.m. (athletes are asked to be there by 9:30 a.m.), and will take approximately three hours.  The assessment/test will include warmups, body size and composition, sit and reach, 7 level sit-ups, vertical jump, shuttle run, and 60 second box jumps. 

Participants MUST sign up with Corey Danelski in advance so that groups and instructors can be assigned.  You can e-mail Corey at cdanelski@hotmail.com, or call him at 218-391-2027. 

In addition, participants MUST:

• Be current members of USSA prior to testing. 


• Have a current (2011-12) signed Team Duluth dryland "hold harmless" agreement on file or bring along a completed and signed form. 


• Have a signed USSA NDS medical release form/waiver to participate. 

Minors must have their release forms signed by a parent or guardian to participate - no exceptions. 

Athletes should bring their USSA card, or at least know their number.  They should also bring a water bottle (full of water), a snack and workout clothes and associated gear. 

Corey is also looking for volunteers to help at different stations and record assessment information. 

If you need further information, call or email Corey.   

Dryland will begin on Monday, September 19, 2011 at 4 pm at Chester Bowl.  

We will meet at Chester Bowl from 4-6 p.m., on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. 

Please see the registration page for updated 2011/12 registration forms.  Athletes MUST bring signed copies of the "Hold Harmless Agreement" to their first session of dryland. 

Athletes will not be allowed to train at dryland without the "Hold Harmless Agreement". 

Time will soon be up for submitting your application for the G. Scott Ransom Scholarship for the 2011/12 season.  The deadline for applications is September 20, 2011. 

For more information and an application, click here. 

It's the time of year to begin thinking about ski racing -  if you haven't started already.  Along with conditioning and dryland, it's time to get the other gear in order.  The combination of equipment, clothing and helmets, registration and entry fees can all add up to a significant amount of money. 

Fortunately, in 2005,  the G. Scott Ransom Scholarship was established to help eligible youth athletes cover the costs associated with training and competing with the Duluth Superior Alpine Club.  The scholarship program is managed by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, and members and candidate members of the Duluth Superior Alpine Club ages 7-19 may apply. 

Athletes are encouraged to apply, as that's the reason the scholarship fund was created.  Financial need as well as interest and commitment to the ski program are considered when awarding a scholarship.  In several of the past years, multiple scholarships have been awarded so funds aren't limited to one "winner". 

Applications can be found here, and more information is available on the Scholarship page of the site, as well as on the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation website. 

All forms must be fully completed and submitted to the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation by September 20 of each year. The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Scholarship Committee and staff screen applicants to ensure that applicants meet the eligibility requirements and that confidentiality is maintained.  Scholarships are awarded depending on the availability of earnings of the Fund.

So please, download an application and send it in.  Good luck to all the applicants and past recipients.