The following is excerpted from the Canadian National Officials Level 1 Course Material. These materials are available online from Alpine Canada the following web site location: http://www.canski.org/webconcepteur/web/alpine/en/officialsvolunteers/nav/coursematerial.html?iddoc=87126.

2.1 National Alpine Officials Program

The Canadian National Alpine Officials program is a structured and integrated program consisting of four levels of alpine Officials and four levels of Technical Delegates. The program stresses the integration of theory with practice at all levels. It seeks to provide the means by which Officials can build a broader and more knowledgeable base of experience and maintain that level of experience to maintain a level of expertise.

It is essential that Officials be able to provide race organization and exhibit officiating skills that will match the competitors’ performance levels and program goals. Competitors have the right to expect that Officials have a high level of expertise so that results reflect the athletes’ ability and skills without being compromised by the incompetence of race Officials or “luck”.

For the purposes of certification, the various Officials positions have been divided into the following categories:

Administration

Course

Timing

Jury

Race Chairman

Chief of Administration (Race Secretary)

Race Office*

Event Quality

Chief of Event Quality*

Chief of Ski Area Relations*

Chief of Media and Awards*

Chief of Race

Chief of Course

Chief of Gate Judges

Gate Judge*

Course Crew

Chief of Equipment

Chief Steward

Steward*

Chief of Timing and Calculations

Chief of Timing

Starter

Assistant Starter*

Timer

Timer Recorder*

Chief of Calculation

Calculator*

Finish Controller*

Technical Delegate

TD Candidate

Referee

Assistant Referee

Start Referee

Finish Referee

*These positions do not qualify for Level III experience.

The following are the basic criteria for certification of the various levels of alpine Officials across Canada as part of the National Alpine Officials program.

2.1.1 Levels of Officials and Course Descriptions

The following list represents the minimum requirements. The PSO Officials Chairpersons can establish higher requirements if desired.

2.1.1.1 Level 1

This is the entry-level course. It is an overall introduction to race organization and the various Officials positions with particular emphasis on timekeeping and gate judging. There are no course pre-requisites or required experience. Participants will benefit more if they have practical experience.

Course attendance automatically qualifies the participant as Level 1 Alpine Official. Parents of entry level and K1 level racers find this course an excellent introduction to race officiating and in gaining an insight into the racing program as a whole.

Course Description:

Time required: 3 hours
Course fee: set by PSO Officials Chair – includes manual, Officials pin
Pre-requisites: None

Exam: None

2.1.1.2 Level 2

This course is designed as a detailed introduction to alpine ski racing and the roles and duties of various Officials positions. It is a fairly intensive course that does not repeat the material covered in Level 1 and does require some prior knowledge and experience in order that the material covered is absorbed to the best advantage.

Course Description:

Time Required: 8 hours including a 1 hour exam. May be done in one day or two evenings.

Course Fee: set by the PSO Official Chair – includes course manual, Officials pin

Pre-requisites:

Level 1 certification
Practical experience in a point race since obtaining Level 1 as follows: At least three different positions taken from any two different categories (Administration, Event Quality, Course, Timing or Jury) that covers a minimum of 8 days race experience. For example: 2 days as Gate Judge, 2 days as a Recorder, 2 days as a Starter, and 2 days in any other or any of the same positions would cover the qualifications for a Level 2 certification.

Exam: 1 hour – multiple choice, T/F, and short answers. Open book.

2.1.1.3 Level 3

Pre-requisites for this course are Level II certification and practical experience since obtaining Level 2 as follows:

a) Chief of Race and one of the following positions:

Chief of Course
Chief of Timing and Calculation
Chief of Gate Judges
Chief of Administration (Race Secretary)

b) Two assignments as voting/non-voting jury member (other than Chief of Race);

c) An assignment different from the above at the FIS level excluding the positions with an asterisk on previous page.

The candidates have to attend a Level 3 course and pass the exam.

Course Description:

Time required: 12 hours. Generally given on a weekend but can be given over 4 evenings

Course fee: set by PSO Officials Chair. Includes manual and course material, Officials pin

Pre-requisites: It is only open to those who have the necessary pre-requisites as detailed above or are identified as being very close to having the necessary practical. Must be recommended by the PSO Officials Chair.

Exam: 2 hour open book exam.

The Level III course is an interactive one in which there is emphasis on discussion and exchange of ideas, opinions, and experiences by the participants and the instructor(s). The course is designed for Officials with considerable practical experience. It covers rules to particular disciplines as well as the work and duties of the Jury and Technical Delegate in detail. Also covered are the duties of senior Officials, course preparation, maintenance and setting, as well as calculations of points and penalties. Through out the course, participants take part in many case studies taken from actual experiences and will be asked to make decisions on these as well as participating in Jury decisions.

2.1.1.4 Level 4

In order to become a Level 4 Official, it is necessary to be recommended to the National Officials Committee by the PSO Officials Chair. Level 4 Officials are the most experienced Officials, having showed a superior level of ability. Among the qualifications required of a Level 4 Official are: Level 3 Official with the minimum practical experience in each of the following since obtaining Level 3 certification:

a) Satisfactory performance of the Chief of Race’s duties at the FIS level.

b) Assignment as voting or non-voting Jury member at a race minimum National or provincial level, or at a regional speed event.

c) Satisfactory performs at a J1 and/or FIS level:

1 event assignment as: Chief of Course or Chief of Gates
2 event assignments out of: Chief of Administration, Chief of Timing and Calculations or Race Chairman.

2.1.2 Coaches Admission in the Officials Program

All Canadian Ski Coaches (CSCF) Level 1 and higher can attend the Level 2 Official course without any other criteria of eligibility.

Pre-requisite for Referee – Level 2 CSCF and Level 2 Official

All Level 3 and/or 4 CSCF coaches can attend a Level 3 Officials course without criteria of eligibility.

2.1.3 Officials Recognition and Identification

All officials will receive a National pin in recognition of their achieved level.

2.1.4 Officials Requirements to Maintain Certification

Certified Officials must be a member of ACA to maintain their certification.Upon qualification, the initial period of certification and practical requirements to maintain certification for each Officials level is as follows:

Level 1	Three years	Activity as an Official
Level 2	Three years	Work minimum 4 race days in a 3 year period and an Officials Update every 2 years
Level 3	Two years	Work minimum 4 race days a year and an Officials Update every 2 years
Level 4	Two years	Work 4 days a year as a TD or Chief level or to the satisfaction of the Officials Chair, Attend an Officials Update every 2 years.

2.2 ADMINISTRATION OF NATIONAL OFFICIALS PROGRAM

The Officials program is managed and maintained by the National Officials Committee. The Committee includes: the National Officials Chair, two Directors-at-Large and PSO Officials Chairs from Alberta, British Columbia, Canada District, Ontario and Quebec. Canada District represents Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland/Labrador, Prince Edward Island and the North West Territories.

Each PSO Officials Chair maintains records of all Alpine Officials in their region. The Officials record shows the activity of an Official, i.e. what races he/she works at and the positions held, what courses he/she has attended, and his/her background on becoming an Official. The record sheet also keeps track of maintenance requirements, when an Official becomes eligible for advancing to the next level and when the present certification expires.

2.2.1 Required Qualifications To Become A Course Conductor

The following criteria are required for each level of training:
Level 1: Level 3 Official or Level 2 Official with 3 years experience approved by the PSO Officials Chair.
Level 2: Level 3 Official with 3 years experience approved by the PSO Officials Chair.
Level 3: FIS, National or PSO Technical Delegate with 2 years experience approved by the PSO Officials Chair.

2.2.2 Technical Delegates

The Technical Delegate (TD) is the person who has advisory control over pre-race and race operation and together with other members of the Jury, has complete control over the competitive operation of the race. He/she has the final decision in all matters of racer protection and the Jury has the authority to cancel, postpone or annul the race if necessary. In all cases, the TD is the representative of the governing body by whom he/she is appointed.

2.2.3 TD Levels and Criteria

A TD must have a broad working knowledge and experience as an Official and have
demonstrated an ability to handle a variety of on-hill situations in a calm and knowledgeable manner. The requirements for certification at the various levels are:

a) Regional Technical Delegate
- Level 2 Officials Certification.
- Recommended by the Divisional and PSO Officials Chair

b) PSO Technical Delegate – Technical (T)
- Level 3 Officials Certification.
- Recommended by the PSO Officials Chair for TD certification.

c) PSO Technical Delegate – Technical/Speed (T/S) -
- Level 3 Officials Certification.
- Certified in both Technical and DH and SG events.

d) National Technical Delegate
- Level 4 Officials Certification preferred
- Licensed Divisional TD (T) &/or (T/S) or FIS TD
- Recommended by the PSO Officials Chair to the National Officials Committee
- Nominated National Technical Delegates will receive a Level 4 Certification.

The minimum criteria to be assigned as a Divisional/PSO or National Technical Delegate are the following:
- Regional technical race: Level 2
- PSO technical race and speed event: Level 3
- National race events: Level 4.

e) FIS Technical Delegate
- The first step in entering the FIS TD program is nomination by a National Official,the PSO Officials Chair, the PSO President and a FIS Technical Delegate then a recommendation by the National Officials Committee to the FIS Commissioner of Canada. If accepted the applicant follows the program outlined in ICR 602.