Officials Education is on-going

This past week-end we attended the annual Alpine Technical Delegates "up-date" here in Whistler.  It is always a wonderful opportunity to mingle with race officials from all over Canada and the US, to learn more, and generally to discuss all things "official" in terms of alpine ski racing.  This year an added component of the week-end included a 2010 Olympic reception and presentation with time for  mingling with many of the key Games volunteers. 

Irene got together with some of the key Jury members for the ParaAlpine events where she will be Start Referee.  Being Start Ref is Irene's favourite role at alpine races so being nominated for this role at the Olympics is a real priviledge. 

Al got together with his Timing gurus and discussed ever-evolving processes and systems that can ensure greater perfection in gathering and ensuring correct results.  Al is managing the back-up timing crew for the Olympics.  (The Omega team from Switzerland runs System A.)

TD up-dates consist of two days of meetings each Fall, one meeting in the east and one in the west.  Usually we don't attend but this year the western meeting took place in Whistler so it was easy for us to join in.  Prior to the meeting homework is sent out and this homework must be handed in by active TDs or order for them to retain their licences.  We did the homework but didn't hand it in because we are "high level officials", not FIS TDs.

In order to stay "green" during the meetings no papers were circulated.  Instead, wireless internet allowed every participant to be on line and link to the many resources we needed throughout the week-end.  Picture a large meeting room with over 250 people sitting at round tables covered with 6-8 lap tops and surrounded by 6-8 intense people all focussed on the question at hand while two large screens displayed the same or similar information at the front of the room.  Roving mikes allowed for plenty of questions and discussions too.  The TD fraternity is intense and it's exicting to attend meetings where everyone is engaged.

Of course we each had our own small ICR (FIS rule book) along for doing the case studies.  When the case studies were presented these same 6-8 Officials at each table also consulted their well-thumbed rule books, finding specific rules to support decisions.  Most case studies lead to discussions and we all come away with new insights.

The race season will soon be upon us and well be putting some of this learning to the test!