GUIDE TO THE NORTH AMERICAN VASA

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GUIDE TO THE NORTH AMERICAN VASA

• YOUR GUIDE TO CROSS COUNTRY SKI ETIQUETTE IN THE
  VASA AND OTHER RACES

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ITS VASA WEEKEND! NOW WHAT?
Its race day at the Vasa. For novice skiers,
their first big race can be a little
intimidating. This guide will answer many of your
questions. For the experienced skier it will
serve as a reminder of skiing etiquette. This
will make everyone's Vasa experience more
enjoyable.
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CHOOSE YOUR TECHNIQUE
The North American Vasa offers both Classic and
Freestyle categories for the 50K, 27K, and 12K
races. If you enter the classic race, please use
only the diagonal technique. Your bib will have a
Classic sticker, if you are caught skating you
will be disqualified.
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PACKET PICK-UP RACE EXPO

• Packet pick-up for the 2007 Vasa will be at
  Timber Ridge Resort located at 4050 Hammond Rd.
  Hours are Friday noon to 1000PM and Saturday
  from 700AM to your race start time.

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• New this year will be a race expo to be held on
  Friday in conjunction with packet pick up.
• - Try out the latest ski and snowshoe
  equipment
• - Meet ski reps and fellow skiers
• - Get the latest wax recommendations for
  race day.

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YOUR PACKET

• YOUR RACE PACKET WILL CONTAIN
• YOUR RACE BIB
• YOUR TIMING CHIP
• A BAG FOR YOUR WARM UP CLOTHES
• LAST MINUTE RACE INFORMATION

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WHAT TO WEAR

• Use equipment you have used during training. The
  race is no time to try new boots, skis, poles or
  new clothing.
• Dress in layers so that you can remove clothing
  as you warm up. Clothing bags are provided to
  place warm ups so you will have dry clothing to
  change into after you finish.
• Make sure your bib is visible. Race officials
  will be checking numbers along the course and the
  photographers use bib numbers to identify skiers
  in the race photos.

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WHAT NOT TO WEAR

• Leave the headphones at home. They may be OK for
  training but they can be a safety hazard during a
  race. When wearing headphones it is difficult to
  hear other skiers as they approach or volunteers
  or race officials as they try to give you vital
  information.

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AT THE START
You will be placed in a wave based on previous
race results. You should self seed yourself in
your wave by how fast you like to start. If it
takes you a while to get up to speed, you should
not be in the front row. You will have plenty of
opportunities to pass skiers who go too fast at
the start and run out of gas.
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Double Pole
DO NOT SKATE AT THE START OF THE RACE! DOUBLE
POLE UNTIL YOU HAVE ROOM TO START SKATING OR
CLASSIC SKIING.
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ON THE TRAIL
Be careful when passing skiers and in heavy
traffic. An On your Left/Right warning will
alert a skier you are passing. Pass only when it
is safe to do so. Sometimes a skier will not hear
you the first time, you may have to repeat your
warning. A thank you is appreciated when you get
by.
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IF YOU ARE BEING PASSED
Try to stay to the right as much as possible.
Make yourself as narrow as possible without
impeding your progress. Bring your poles in close
and try a few double poles. They are faster and
easier than trying to get untangled after a
fall. If something happens where you get yelled
at or knocked around, keep your cool and try to
get a race number to turn in to the race director
after the race.
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Respect the Classic Tracks
Do not skate over the classic tracks. If you have
ever classic skied in great tracks, you know how
enjoyable it is to have smooth unbroken tracks.
There is enough room on the Vasa course to skate
without crossing the tracks.
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Be Polite

• We all accidentally tap a pole basket or step on
  a leading skiers ski tails. When this happens a
  sorry is appreciated. But more importantly, you
  should immediately allow more space between you
  and the other skier. This is especially true on
  up hills where a stepped on pole will slow the
  skier in front of you even more after they lose
  their momentum.
• If someone falls in front of you on a downhill,
  try to get around them. If that is not possible
  it is better to sit down than to slam into them
  at full speed. Ask the skier if they are OK. If
  they are injured report the injury at an aid
  station or road crossing. If they are hurt badly
  try to offer assistance until an emergency crew
  can reach them. Think of how you would feel in
  their place. There will always be another race to
  show your stuff.

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Adaptive Skiers

• The Vasa is the only ski race in the Midwest
  that offers a very special race for adaptive
  skiers. We are very proud of this long time Vasa
  tradition. They are very special athletes with
  special needs who really enjoy participating in
  the Vasa. Please cheer them on and give them a
  wide berth if you are passing a skier in a green
  jacket.

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Aid Stations

• When you reach an aid station, grab a cup and
  move away to allow other skiers to access the
  drinks. Call out water or energy drink so the
  volunteers can get you the correct refreshment.
• Some aid stations have fruit and cookies,
  volunteers will let you know if they are
  available.
• If you want to stop and rest at an aid station
  move out of the way as much as possible so other
  skiers can keep going if they want to.

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The Vasa Race course elevations with food stop
approximate locations.
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STOPPING ON THE TRAIL

• If you need to stop during the race for any
  reason (waxing skis, remove excess clothing,
  adjust equipment, etc.) get as far off of the
  trail as possible. Do not stop in the classic
  tracks. Make sure your poles are out of the way
  of passing skiers.
• If you need to drop out of the race let a race
  official know. You can drop out at a food station
  or at some road crossings.

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FINISHING THE RACE
A RACE IS ABOUT WHO CAN GET TO THE FINISH LINE
FIRST. SOME RACE THEIR COMPETITORS, OTHERS RACE
THEMSELVES. ANYONE WHO FINISHES SHOULD BE PROUD
OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
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AT THE FINISH LINE
When you reach the finish line, dont stop to
catch your breath. You need to continue through
the chute area before you stop. If you stop right
after you cross the finish line, you may cause a
pile-up of skiers trying to cross behind you.
Listen to race officials and volunteers. They
are there to help you and will guide you through
the finish area. Dont forget to return your
timing chip. Volunteers will remove the chip for
you. Make sure the chip is removed before you
leave the finish line area.
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Food

• Food will be available inside Timber Ridge Hall
  (the building on the left) after you finish. The
  food is for skiers and volunteers only. Timber
  Ridge will have food available for sale to
  spectators and family members.

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AFTER YOU FINISH
Dont just go home after the race. Congratulate
your competitors and cheer on the skiers who are
finishing. Without your fellow skiers, your only
race would be against the clock. You can also
stay to help or enjoy the Kids races which begin
at 1230. They are our future Vasa skiers.
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THANK THE VOLUNTEERS
Dont forget to thank the volunteers. Without
them the Vasa would not be possible. Your
appreciation keeps them coming back year after
year.
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Bring the Kids
Dont forget about the Vasa Kids races held on
Saturday starting at 1230PM
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Relax
Take some time to recover, then join us at the
Hagerty Center for the awards ceremony starting
at 530PM.
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Gran Travers16K Classic Race on Sunday 900AM
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The Vasa Benefits
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Photos by
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Developed By

• Jim Dombrowski