Competitor PointsLinks to USSA and FIS Points
Summary of Points Rules
Ski racers are: 1) scored by total points for each seeded competition in which they finish without disqualification, 2) ranked nationally and internationally according to their earned total points, and 3) seeded in subsequent competitions according to their total points earned in previous events. Thus, in ski racing, things are done 'by the numbers'. Points are used in ski racing because of the unique character of the sport: there is no precisely defined standard field, track or course for competition. Thus USSA and FIS points are designed to allow for variability of field strength and size to rank competitors across the world using a common scale. Lower points indicate better results.
The USSA points list ranks athletes with a valid USSA competitor membership who compete in any USSA event that is scored in the system. These events include most races for ages 13 (J3) and up. FIS competitors must have valid memberships with FIS (aka an "international competitor license") and are scored in events for races ages 15 (J2) and up. FIS races are by invitation only with selection normally made using USSA points.
USSA points are calculated on a seasonal basis. Each ski season, athletes points begin with the first points list of the year (the "Fall Points"). For USSA, an athlete's points cannot rise above their Fall Points for the duration of the season. The points will lower in the event that one or more results is below the Fall Points. At the end of the season, the points are "frozen" and then used as the basis for the next year's points list, though they are adjusted by a small amount to "zero" them with the FIS list at the beginning of each season.
FIS points, on the other hand are done on a rolling 12 month basis. The best two results over the previous 18 months are used as the current FIS points. This means during a season, a racer's FIS points can go either up or down depending upon their results during the previous 12 months in each discipline.
USSA and FIS points are not continually being updated; they are recalculated for each new list. There are many special circimstances regarding points caluclations. This section is merely an overview. For more detailed information on how points are calculated, see chapter 3 of the USSA Alpine Competition Guide.
The 2009-2010 USSA Fall Adders are as follows:
These points will be added to the points from the 2008/2009 final list. The USSA Points list will be published thirteen times in the 2009/2010 season. Points earned prior to the 'Points List closes' date will be published a few days later at the 'Points List valid' date. The points list shows the average of the two lowest point results in each discipline (SL, DH, GS, SG, and SC - Super Combined). The points are adjusted (points increased) annually prior to publishing the 'First Points List', for each new season. This season there are FIVE racing disciplines. The newest discipline is 'SUPER COMBINED'.
A simple explanation of the points system is available. For more information see the USSA Alpine Competition Guide  .NOTE: Some sections may take several minutes to download. For your downloading and printing convenience, the points lists on this page are available to you in Adobe Acrobat format. Simply download and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to print these forms from your computer!  |
