SSSA 2025 Autumn Dual Slalom Series Information and Rules (Updated 07/08/25) 1. EVENT OVERVIEW All Scottish primary and secondary schools are invited to enter a team of 4 skiers into any one of the SSSA regional Dual Slalom schools ski races running around the country over September and October. These are qualifying races at which winning teams can qualify to go on to the SSSA Dual Slalom Championship Finals held at Hillend in November. Each Dual Slalom competition is a team event. Schools must enter 4 racers but can also bring a 5th substitute who can be interchanged with other team members at any point in the racing. Each school races head to head in a relay race on parallel slalom courses, against all other teams. Teams that win the most races qualify to go through to the championship finals. 2. OPEN TO The event is open to school teams of 4 skiers where all skiers are from the same school only. Schools may also bring a 5th racer as a substitute. (Subs can be used throughout the race as the team deems appropriate and will require to pay an entry fee). Teams of three or less are not permitted to enter this event and strictly, NO TEAMS can be made up of skiers from different schools - schools are required to find 4 skiers from within their own school. (Please note that all other SSSA events permit individual entry by pupils - this event can only be run with complete teams). All pupils entering must be in full time education at a Scottish primary or secondary school. All competitors must be able to control their line and speed, link turns and use an uplift tow. Pupils may only ski for 1 team for their school and enter 1 event (e.g. they cannot ski in a Secondary 1-3 team and in a Secondary Team.) Primary skiers cannot compete for a secondary team. MAX TEAMS PER SCHOOL Schools may enter any number of teams into a qualifying event, however only the first two submitted will be automatically accepted. Remaining teams will remain on a waiting list until 10 days prior to the event, when additional teams will be accepted on a first entered first accepted basis if there is space. TEAM CATEGORIES All teams must be entered into a school year group according to the Scottish state school system. Primary 1-4 Teams must only contain pupils in years P1-P4 Primary Teams may contain a combination of pupils from all/any primary years Secondary 1-3 Teams (must only contain pupils in years S1-S3 Secondary Teams may contain a combination of pupils from any/all secondary years NOTE: Private schools that work to a different age system (other than the Scottish state school P1-7 structure) and have an additional year in junior school, must enter these final year pupils as a Secondary S1-3 Team. 3. COMPETITION FORMAT Teams will be randomly allocated pools and race all other teams. They will only be ranked against other teams in their year group category. POINTS: Teams that win their race are awarded 3 points. It’s 2 points for a draw and 1 for a loss. If skiers 1-3 jump the start instruction from the start referee or miss a gate, a 3-5 second hold (depending on the slope length) will be applied to the next skier. IN THE POOL RACES: If the last skier in the team jumps the start or misses a gate, the team LOSES that race and receives 1 point with the winning team gaining 3 points. If the last skiers of BOTH teams infringe in any way then it will be a draw with 2 points each. If, after the pool races have finished, 2 or more schools have scored the same points, then "Ski-off" races will be run to determine the winners which adds further points to their score. If there are 2 or more pools for a given team category, the winners of each pool will then enter knockout races to determine the overall winners. IN THE KNOCKOUT RACES: If a last skier in either team jumps the start or misses a gate, the team LOSES that race. If the last skiers of BOTH teams infringe in any way then the race will be re-run. Once down to the final 4 teams best of 3 knockout finals will be run and these will be best of three races, where time permits. If a team loses a competitor whilst at the race and is reduced to three competitors (ie they do not have a sub), they may continue to compete in the races but become ineligible to win the event or progress to the finals. This rule applies as the dynamic of a 3 person team can significantly benefit that team against others. Please advise all skiers to ski within their own limitations to reduce the risk of injury and retiral. (Teams are therefore urged to bring a sub so they can remain in the competition). If a team is reduced to three skiers the team receives a score of zero for every subsequent race after which they lose their 4th skier. Opposing teams receive a score of 3. 4. RANKINGS & QUALIFICATION FOR FINALS A maximum of 2 teams in each of the above four categories will qualify to go through to the finals at each primary and secondary qualifier. If a school team qualifies for the finals they are at liberty to change the skiers in their team provided this does not change the team category. In the interest of fairness and reward, the SSSA recommends that schools endeavour to send the same four skiers as won their category at the qualifier. As an added tip, if there was no 5th substitute skier at the qualifier, a substitute is recommended at the finals as, if through injury they become reduced to a team of three, they will be permitted to continue to compete but they will become INELIGIBLE TO WIN. 5. ENTRY Entry is by online form only and will require online payment by card to secure your school team entry. Entry will close 10 days before each event date or earlier if it becomes fully subscribed. Live entries can be viewed from the website. 6. COST & PAYMENT For 2025 the cost of entry into a qualifier is £18 per racer across all qualifiers except:- Hillend which is £21 per racer Craigclowan which is £15 per racer For all events except for Craigclowan ** this includes:-
After registering team names, schools MUST make online payment for all their pupils including any subs by card to secure their entry. ** Craigclowan does not have ski equipment for hire. For this event, schools will need to contact local ski hire provider Cally Gordon to arrange a kit, providing him with the details of exactly what is required. To contact Cally Gordon please to arrange your ski hire @ £10 per pupil, email callum.gordon@tiscali.co.uk 7. CHECK-IN PROCESS When you arrive at the event
IF RUNNING LATE PLEASE TEXT the race organiser so your place can be held and not scrubbed. If you were one of last year’s winning teams. Please ensure you return any trophy duly engraved & polished! 8. EQUIPMENT Helmets, gloves and appropriate long sleeved clothing is mandatory. Equipment hire is available at the facilities and may be part of the entry fee but you must contact the facility in advance to check availability and pricing, also arrive earlier to get this sorted. 9. PUPIL SUPERVISION Each team must have an appointed adult to act as team Supervisor/Coach/Captain. This person must be able to accompany and supervise the pupils and is responsible for the team's safety, wellbeing and conduct at all times. Competitors must not be left unsupervised. HELPERS: Each team should also aim to provide a volunteer helper to assist with the running of the event. In order to run a quality and safe dual slalom event about 15 helpers are required. Helpers need no previous experience as training will be given at the event. All helpers will receive a free uplift pass for the day where necessary. 10. FIRST AID & SAFEGUARDING At each event first aid cover is provided by the professional staff employed by the facility. School team supervisors are responsible for the safeguarding of pupils in their team to and should be equipped to handle any child protection issues in compliance with their school’s child protection and excursions policies. 11. NO WAXING/SPRAYS ON SLOPE: In the interest of health and safety the SSSA race organisers request that NO ski waxing is carried out within the ski slope areas - this includes, hot waxing, spraying and other forms of lubricant. A verbal warning will be given in the first instance and if the same individual/team continues to violate this rule then the organisers have the right to disqualify the offenders from the competition.
TEAM SELECTION PROCESS & MANAGING TOO MANY PUPILS In order to make selection into teams a fair and transparent process, schools are recommended to invite all pupils interested in being considered for selection to attend a time trial at the local ski centre. This process not only offers an accessible, transparent, fair and equitable means to do team selection, but it also enables the school to put on a ski race for their own pupils (or jointly with another school), and potentially accommodate participation from a much larger group of pupils than might necessarily be taken to the SSSA events. For help and assistance in organising this contact your local snowsport centre. PRE-EVENT PRACTICE: Most centres will be hosting their practice sessions in advance of the event. Please contact your local centre or organise this. EVENT BULLETINS & NOTIFICATIONS All event bulletins and notifications will be posted via the SSSA FACEBOOK feeds and the news column on the website. Prior to an event an email will be sent to all teams with a list of entries and any specific details. SAFETY NOTICE All Scottish Schools Snowsports events are run by the organising committee of the Scottish Schools Snowsports Association with support and guidance from the National Governing Body for Snowsports in Scotland, Snowsport Scotland. Every event follows strict procedures and risk assessment protocols to ensure the safety, well being and protection of all competitors. Thank you. Good luck and we hope you and your pupils have a great day! Any questions about this event series please info@sssa.co |
