2011 Leg #2 Information Downhill Ski/Snowboard at Mt. Baker Ski Area Course Length: Approx 2.5 miles

DOWNHILL SKI LEG  -  For easy sharing of rules, download and save PDF version of info below.

TIMING CHIPS
Race Timing Chips will consist of the chip on a wristband, and must be passed onto the next racer at each leg exchange area according to the rules. After the Kayaker has crossed the Finish Line in Marine Park, the timing chip must be given to an attendant at the Finish Line or the team can be charged $95 for replacement costs.

REGISTRATION:
A designated team representative must pick up the team’s race packet prior to the race. Please refer to procedures at the front of the race guide or on the website www.SkiToSea.com for pickup times and location. The packet includes the team’s timing chip, racing bibs & T-shirts. The designated team representative must distribute items to team members. There will be no extra racing bibs at the exchange areas.

ROAD CLOSURE:
The Mt. Baker Highway (542) will be closed from 7:30 AM to 11 AM between Canyon Creek Road in Glacier and Mt. Baker Lodge. Any viewers, participants or additional support vehicles who want to go to the top of the mountain must pass Canyon Creek Road prior to 7:30 AM. Depending on how many Runners are racing down the highway, no vehicles will be allowed to travel down the mountain prior to 9:30 AM. After 9:30 AM and for the duration of the race, vehicles traveling down Mt. Baker Highway (west) will be released in groups of 10-15 and must be escorted by a police vehicle. Recent history has shown that cars usually start being escorted down the mountain after 10:00 AM.

All vehicles must drive in the left hand lane, as the right lane will be reserved for the runners. Dispersal is based upon the flow of the race, and may be delayed in case of emergency or other safety concerns. Team members, spectators and fans should plan accordingly. For safety reasons, vehicles may not park along the course between DOT and the Mt Baker Lodge.

Racers should leave Bellingham by 5:00 AM to ensure they make it to the ski area for the 7:15 AM Pre-Race Meeting.

PRE-RACE MEETING:
There will be a meeting at 7:15 AM on race day at the ski shop for all cross-country and downhill skiers. The meeting will give the latest updates on the racecourse. It is important that all downhill skiers and snowboarders ATTEND this meeting.

EQUIPMENT:
The downhill skier will be required to use downhill skis, boots, and bindings. The use of Randonee and Telemark ski equipment is allowed. Leather boots, backpacks, slings, and climbing skins are not allowed. The snowboarder is required to use a snowboard, snowboard bindings, and snowboard boots. OFFICIALS WILL BE STATIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLIMB TO MONITOR EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE.

COURSE:
The downhill skier will receive the timing chip from the cross-country skier at the staging area located near the Day Lodge. The downhill skier/snowboarder must be in the staging area or he/she will be penalized by the race committee. The skier will first ski directly down to the bottom of Chair 2, hike up Lower North to North Face, then hike to the top of Chair 1, ski down Gunner’s Ridge, down Blueberry Cat Track, down Home Run, down 7-Hills, and on to the finish line beside the ski shop. He/she will pass the timing chip to the runner. The runner will then swipe the chip to record the downhill skier’s finish time. The rules and the course are the same for the snowboarder except the snowboarder has to keep one foot attached to the front binding on the snowboard throughout the race course except for the hike from the bottom of Lower North to the top of the hike at the Pan Dome Warming Hut.

COURSE PRE-RUNS:
Many race participants practice the course prior to race day. The course is not marked with bamboo, gates, and flagging until the day before the race and may not be completely marked until the morning of race day. The course will be machine groomed a few days prior to the race, depending on weather conditions. The course will be marked with bamboo poles. There will be five designated gates on the course that each skier will be required to go through: Lower North, Hoofers Corner, Pan Dome Warming Hut, Gunners Ridge Corner & Blueberry Corner. The course may vary depending on snow conditions.

INFRACTION OF RULES:
Infraction of the rules by one team member may disqualify the entire team. Some conflicts with cross-country skiers are possible on the lower section of the course. Please comply with all directions given by race officials and/or volunteers, and take whatever action is needed to avoid cross-country racers, to ensure the safety of all racers. The course is subject to last-minute changes depending on snow conditions. The actual course will be described and discussed at the skier/snowboarder pre-race meeting at 7:15 AM on race day.

RESULTS:
It is important for all racers to show their bib numbers when crossing the exchange areas. Timing of individual legs may vary based upon exchange area layout. Therefore, personal time kept by racers may not correspond to official results.

VOLUNTEERING FOR DOWNHILL SKI / SNOWBOARD LEG:
If you want to volunteer for the skiing/snowboard leg of the race, please visit www.SkiToSea.com and fill out the online Volunteer Form.