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| NASTAR Rules / Info |  |
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For those
of you new to the Nature Valley NASTAR community, you more than likely have one or
more questions. Therefore, we’ve tried to identify some typically asked questions and provide
you with an answer. So click around and become an informed Nature Valley NASTAR racer…
Still Confused?
Please contact us.
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| How Does Nature Valley NASTAR Work? | |
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Developed by SKI Magazine in 1968, NASTAR (NAtional STAndard Race) is the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world. Since the program's inception,
more than 6 million skier and snowboarder racer days have been recorded. Our mission is simple - to provide a fun, competitive and easily accessible racing program that, through the development of a handicap system, allows racers of all ages and abilities a means to compare their race results to other competitors across the country regardless of when and where they race.
This is accomplished
by establishing a National Standard for all races. The National Standard is the Par Time or the "0" handicap
which every racer competes against when they race Nature Valley NASTAR. The "0" handicap is
set at the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships and is the fastest time possible on a Nature Valley
NASTAR course.
Former U.S. Ski Team star and four-time Olympian AJ Kitt established his handicap at the National Championships. As Nature Valley NASTAR's traveling pacesetter, AJ competes against pacesetters from each Nature Valley NASTAR resort at sanctioned Regional Pacesetting Trials across the country prior to the start of the season. These events enable pacesetters from each resort to establish their own certified NASTAR Handicap against the Par Time or "0" handicap. The resort pacesetters use their certified handicaps to set the Par Time at their local Nature Valley NASTAR course and in turn give each participant that races at their resort a handicap.
Each time a participant races Nature Valley NASTAR, they earn a handicap which represents the difference between their race time and the Par Time expressed as a percentage. It's easier than it sounds - if a participant earns a 15 handicap, they are 15% behind the Par Time. Don't like percentages? As you just learned, prior to each race, resort pacesetters set the course's Par Time which is the fastest time possible on a NASTAR course. So if the Par Time is 23.32 seconds and your time is 27.00 seconds, you are 3.68 seconds slower than National Pacesetter or the Par Time.
One more thing, each time
you race Nature Valley NASTAR, you could win a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze medal depending
on the handicap you earn. Depending on the number of times you race, you will also receive a national (5 races needed),
state (2 races needed) and a
resort ranking (1 race needed) in your age & gender category in your division which will allow you to compare
your race results to other competitors across the country. After each race, it is the resort's
responsibility to post their complete and accurate race results directly to nastar.com. You then have the ability to check race results, chart your progress and view rankings on nastar.com.
And if you are one of the top three racers at your resort in your age & gender category in your
division you will be invited to compete for a National Title and
race alongside some of skiing's all-time greats at the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships
It’s that simple!
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| What is a NASTAR Handicap? | |
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The NASTAR Handicap System gives ski and snowboard racers a simplified system to gauge their progress throughout
the season and allows racers of all ages and abilities a means to compare their race results to other competitors
across the country regardless of when and where they race.
This is accomplished by establishing a National Standard for all races. The National Standard is the Par Time or
the "0" handicap which every racer competes against when they race Nature Valley NASTAR. NASTAR participants earn a handicap each time they race which represents the difference between the racer’s time and the Par Time expressed as a percentage. The "0" handicap or Par Time is set daily by the hosting resorts’ Pacesetters. Each pacesetter has a certified handicap which is used to set the Par Time for their course.
In addition, the NASTAR Handicap System is used to award medals and place participants in
their appropriate Racer Division. Click here for more information on Nature Valley NASTAR medals.
Click here for more information on Racer Divisions.
When a participant races in a discipline other than Alpine Skier they receive a handicap discount.
Snowboarders, Telemarkers and Physically Challenged Racers receive handicap discounts toward winning
Nature Valley NASTAR medals and scoring points for their team(s) only.
The actual handicap earned is the handicap that is recorded and posted on your Race Record.
|
Discipline |
Handicap Discount |
 |
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Alpine Skier |
N/A |
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Snowboarder |
10 |
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Telemarker |
10 |
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Upper Extremity Impairment - 1 arm |
5 |
|
Upper Extremity Impairment - 2 arms |
24 |
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BI - Totally Blind |
75 |
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B2 - Visually Impaired |
45 |
|
B3 - Partially Sighted |
30 |
|
Two Track Skier (2 skis & poles) |
15 |
|
Three Track Skier (1 ski & 2 outriggers) |
25 |
|
Four Track Skier (2 skis & 2 outriggers) |
45 |
|
Mono Skier |
30 |
|
Intellectual Disability |
35 |
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| What Discipline Do I Register As? | |
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When you register to race you will be asked to select a Racer Discipline. Disciplines to choose from include Alpine
Skier, Snowboarder, Telemarker
or a certain disability for Physically Challenged Racers. Physically Challenged Racers need to select the discipline
that reflects their disability. For complete medical descriptions on various disability classifications please visit
the International Paralympic Committee's web site at http://www.paralympic.org/. Physically Challenged disciplines
include the following:
- Upper Extremity Impairment – 1 arm
- Upper Extremity Impairment – 2 arms
- B1 – Totally Blind
- B2 – Visually Impaired
- B3 – Partially Sighted
- Two Track Skier (2 skis & poles)
- Three Track Skier (1 ski & 2 outriggers)
- Four Track Skier (2 skis & 2 outriggers)
- Mono Skier
- Intellectual Disability
During the initial registration process, you can only select one discipline, however, during the season you can choose
a different discipline whenever you go to race at a participating resort. For example, you may register initially
as an Alpine Skier but if you want to race on a snowboard or on telemark skis, simply let the starter know which
discipline you will be
racing that day.
The results will be added to your Race Record
and you will receive
a ranking accordingly. When you race in a discipline other than Alpine
Skier you receive a handicap discount towards winning Nature Valley NASTAR medals.
The handicap discounts are only used to determine the correct medal to award the participant.
The actual handicap earned is the handicap that is recorded and posted on nastar.com.
For a description of the Handicap Discounts click here.
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| What is the NASTAR Handicap Chart? | |
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The NASTAR Handicap Chart is used to award medals, place participants in
their appropriate Racer Division and award team points. Click here for more
information on Nature Valley NASTAR medals. Click here for more information on Racer Divisions.
Click here for more
information about team racing.
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| How Can I Calculate a NASTAR Handicap? | |
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While the NASTAR Software does all the calculations, below are a few simple formulas that illustrate how the NASTAR Handicap System works and how a NASTAR Handicap is calculated.
- PAR TIME = Pacesetter's Time ÷ Pacesetter's Handicap
- Racer's Handicap = Racer's Time ÷ PAR TIME
- Time required for a specific Handicap = desired Handicap x PAR TIME
EXAMPLE 1 (Computing Pacesetter's Par Time)
Joe Fast is a Nature Valley NASTAR Pacesetter at Superstar Mountain. Joe received a 6.45 handicap at the Nature Valley NASTAR Regional Pacesetting Trials. The day of the Nature Valley NASTAR race Joe:
- Takes at least one run on the newly set course. His fastest time was 29.63 seconds.
- To establish the course's PAR TIME, Joe would divide his time 29.63 seconds (i.e. Pacesetter's Time) by his handicap of 6.45 (i.e. Pacesetter's Handicap).
29.63 (Pacesetter's Time) ÷ 1.0645* (Pacesetter's Handicap) = 27.83 seconds (PAR TIME)
* Mathematically a 6.45 handicap is written 1.0645 because Joe Fast's time is 106.45% of the Par Time or the National Standard. Another way to say this is that Joe is 6.45% slower than the Par Time. A 10.0 handicap would be calculated as 1.10; an 11.88 handicap as 1.1188; and so on (i.e. move the decimal two places to the left and add a 1 in front).
Example 2 (Computing Racers' Handicaps)
Now that the PAR TIME has been determined, you can calculate racers' handicaps. Theoretically, a racer's handicap is the percentage slower his/her time is from the National Standard or Par Time. Some examples are as follows:
36.48 (Racer's Time) ÷ 27.83 (PAR TIME) = 1.3108* (Racer's Handicap)
28.43 (Racer's Time) ÷ 27.83 (PAR TIME) = 1.0216* (Racer's Handicap)
56.48 (Racer's Time) ÷ 27.83 (PAR TIME) = 2.0295* (Racer's Handicap)
* NASTAR Handicaps are calculated to the hundredth of a point. The decimal point is moved two places to the right to determine the NASTAR Handicap that is posted for each racer. Handicaps are truncated after the hundredth of a point.
In this example, each racer's handicap would be posted as follows:
1.3108 = 31.08 (Racer's Posted Handicap)
1.0216 = 2.16 (Racer's Posted Handicap)
2.0295 = 102.95 (Racer's Posted Handicap)
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| What Division Will I Compete In? | |
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If you compete as an Alpine Skier, NASTAR will
place you in one of four Alpine Divisions based on your
handicap - either the Platinum Division, Gold Division, Silver Division or
Bronze Division. If you only have one race day, your Resort
Ranking handicap will determine whether you are placed in the Platinum Division, Gold Division,
Silver Division or Bronze Division. If you have two to four race days, your State Ranking
handicap will determine whether you are placed in the Platinum Division, Gold Division, Silver
Division or Bronze Division. If you have five or more race days, your National Ranking handicap
will determine whether you are placed in the Platinum Division, Gold Division, Silver Division or
Bronze Division. The NASTAR Handicap Chart shows the handicap needed in each age & gender category
to be placed in a particular division. Click here to view the NASTAR Handicap Chart.
If you compete as a Snowboarder, Telemarker or Physically Challenged Racer, NASTAR will
place you in one of these Non-Alpine Divisions according to your discipline regardless of your handicap - either
the Snowboard Division, Telemark Division or Physically Challenged Division. There are
sub-divisions within the Physically Challenged discipline and racers are differentiated
according to their disability.
Your Racer Division is indicated on your Race Record.
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| How Can I Win One of Those Cool Medals? | |
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Each time you
race Nature Valley NASTAR you could win a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze medal depending
on the handicap you earn in your age & gender category. The NASTAR Handicap Chart shows the handicap needed in each age & gender category to win a particular medal.
Click here to view the NASTAR Handicap Chart.
Medals are awarded to participants in accordance
with official Nature Valley NASTAR scoring regulations at the time of the race. Each resort should have a supply of Nature Valley NASTAR medals on hand and is
in charge of distributing medals to
participants. Typically resorts distribute medals at the finish area and/or at a base lodge.
Participants are encouraged to confirm this location at the time of the race. The hosting
resort is the only place you can get a resort-specific Nature Valley NASTAR
medal. Unfortunately, NASTAR does not have a supply of resort-specific
medals on hand. If you misplaced your medal or
never received your medal from the resort you must contact the resort directly.
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| Can You Explain Nature Valley NASTAR Rankings? | |
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Depending on the number of times you race, alpine skiers, telemark skiers and snowboarders
will receive a Resort Ranking, State Ranking and National Ranking in your age &
gender category in your division. Physically
Challenged Racers are ranked separately within their discipline. Teams are
ranked within their team format. In addition, you will receive two Participation
Rankings according to the number of days you race and the number
of results you record during the season.
Depending on the number of times you race Nature Valley
NASTAR, you will also receive an Overall National Ranking, and an Overall State
Ranking and an Overall Resort Ranking in your gender category regardless of your age and division.
The Nature Valley NASTAR ranking system is as follows:
Resort Ranking
– You receive a Resort Ranking at each resort where you race after completing
just one (1) Nature Valley NASTAR race. The best handicap earned at
each resort during the season is used to determine your Resort Ranking for that
particular resort. Ties are broken by the total number of days raced. If you have only one race day, your Resort
Ranking handicap
is used to determine whether you are placed in the Platinum Division, Gold Division,
Silver Division or Bronze Division. Resort Rankings are also used to qualify
competitors for the
Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships.
State Ranking
– You receive a State Ranking in your
state of residence after completing two (2) Nature Valley NASTAR races. These two races must be
completed on separate days.
The best handicap earned on your second best race day during the season is used to
determine your State Ranking.
Ties are
broken by the total number of days raced. If you have two (2) to four (4) race
days, your State Ranking handicap is used to determine whether you are placed
in the Platinum Division, Gold Division, Silver Division or Bronze Division.
National Ranking
– You receive a National Ranking after completing five (5) Nature Valley NASTAR races. These five races must be
completed on separate days.
The lowest handicap earned on each of the five days is used to determine your National Ranking Handicap.
The lowest and highest race day handicaps are dropped and the
second, third and fourth best race day handicaps are added together and divided by three to determine your National
Ranking Handicap. Ties are broken by the total number of days raced. If you have five (5) or more race days, your National
Ranking handicap is used to determine whether you are placed in the Platinum Division, Gold Division, Silver
Division or Bronze Division.
Physically Challenged Ranking
- Snowboarders, Telemarkers and Physically Challenged Racers receive a National Ranking after
completing just one (1) Nature Valley NASTAR race. The best
handicap earned
during the season is used to determine the National Ranking for Snowboarders,
Telemarkers and Physically Challenged Racers. Ties are broken by the total
number of days raced. Racers are placed in their age and gender category. In addition, non-alpine racers will also earn an overall ranking in their gender group regardless of age.
Overall Resort Ranking
– Participants receive an overall resort ranking after completing just one Nature Valley NASTAR race. Participants will be ranked in their gender group based on their best handicap at each resort regardless of age or division.
Overall State Ranking
– Similar to your State Ranking, you receive an Overall State Ranking after completing two (2) Nature Valley NASTAR races.
These two races must be completed on separate days. The best handicap earned on your second best race day during
the season is used to determine your Overall State Ranking. Ties are broken by the total number of days raced.
The Overall State Ranking is determined based on your State Ranking within the entire Nature Valley NASTAR population
in your state of residence in your gender regardless of your age category and division.
Overall National Ranking
– Similar to your National Ranking,
you receive an Overall National Ranking after completing five (5) Nature Valley NASTAR races.
These five races must be completed on separate days.
The lowest handicap earned on each of the five days is used to determine your National Ranking Handicap.
The lowest and highest handicaps
are dropped and the second, third and fourth best race day handicaps are added together and divided by three to determine your Overall National Ranking Handicap.
Ties are broken by the total number of days raced.
The Overall National Ranking is determined based on your National Ranking within
the entire Nature Valley NASTAR population in your gender regardless of your
age category and division.
Team Ranking
– Team members score points for their team based on the best handicap they earn during the season. Only the top point gainers from each team will be used to score points for their team (6 for Family/Friends, 15 for Resort Teams, 15 for Club Teams). The number of team points earned by these top point gainers are added together and divided by the number of top point gainers (6 or 15) to get the Team Score. Ties are broken by the total number of team points.
Team Point Ranking
– Individuals receive an overall national ranking based on the number of team points scored. Your single best handicap is used to calculate your team points and your age and gender factor into the equation. Team points are a great way to level the playing field so that young and old, male and female can compete. The maximum number of team points possible is 10 and every racer scores at least one point for finishing the course. The NASTAR handicap chart shows the number of team points scored based on the medal won. Click here to view the NASTAR Handicap Chart. The number of team points indicated on the chart is a range. Since team points are interpolated, the exact number of team points you earn will be within this range. The exact number of team points you score is indicated on your Team Race Record.
Participation Rankings
– You receive two Participation Rankings according to the number of days you race and the number
of results you record during the season. The Days Raced and Number of Results rankings are
determined based on your ranking within the entire Nature Valley NASTAR population regardless of your age &
gender category.
The last day for resorts to submit races is April 15.
Nature Valley NASTAR rankings will be finalized on May 15.
Go
to View Rankings.
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| How Do I Qualify for the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships? | |
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The Resort Rankings are used
to qualify Alpine racers for the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships.
Participants receive a Resort Ranking at each resort where they race
after completing just one (1) Nature Valley NASTAR race. Participants within the Alpine, Telemark and Snowboard disciplines
qualify if they are ranked in the top three (3) in their age & gender category in their
division at any Nature Valley NASTAR resort as of Monday, February 15, 2010. Participants in the
Platinum Division, Gold Division,
Silver Division and Bronze Division are eligible to qualify for the National
Championships.
If a participant qualifies at more than
one resort, the racer will represent the resort where they earned their best ranking.
If this happens, the participant next in line at the resort (i.e. the 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. place
participant) will qualify.
Physically Challenged Racers qualify for the Nature Valley NASTAR
National Championships. Participants within these disciplines receive a
National Ranking after completing just one (1) Nature Valley NASTAR race. Participants within these disciplines qualify if they are ranked in the top two hundred (200) in their age & gender category in their respective rankings as of Monday, February 15, 2010.
Go to National Championships
for more information.
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| Who Can Race? | |
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Don't worry, you do not have to be Daron Rahvles or Bode Miller to race. Whether you are young, old,
an expert racer or just a
beginner, Nature Valley NASTAR is for you! Nature Valley NASTAR is a great way for families, friends and
co-workers to ski and
compete against one another. In fact, with the Nature Valley NASTAR
handicap system you don't even have to race at the same time or location to
compete. You can also organize and register a team to
compete against other teams across the country and every time you race your results
will be
recorded for you team. So go ahead, don't be afraid this season, join the millions of skiers and
riders of all ages and abilities and experience the thrill of racing gates - just like the pros!
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| What Age Category Do I Fall Into? | |
Age categories are determined by a participant's age as of December 31, and are used to
award medals and determine Nature Valley NASTAR rankings.
Age categories have been established to better gauge performance and compare racers across the
country.
The Nature Valley NASTAR age categories are as follows: 1-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16,
17-20, 21-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84,
85-89, 90-94, 95+.
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| How Do I Register to Race? | |
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The process is simple. If you are
interested in racing Nature Valley NASTAR you must first become a registered member. All you have to do is
register online at nastar.com or on-site at any participating Nature Valley NASTAR resort. Remember, it's free to join and you only need to register once!
If you have raced NASTAR since 1997 there's no need to register again - we know who you are! However, you should quickly verify that you're in our database by searching for your last name in the field indicated at the top of the page. Also, we strongly suggest that you verify the personal information on your Race Record is complete and accurate prior to the start of the season.
Click here for instructions on how to maintain your Race Record.
Register Online.
Save precious time at the mountain and register online! Go to the Register to Race page and fill in the required fields to enable us to create your Race
Record. You will immediately receive a pop-up notice
indicating you are a registered Nature Valley NASTAR member. A Race Record will be created for you
and you will be issued a NASTAR Registration Number. You are now ready to race at any Nature Valley NASTAR resort!
Register On-site.
Each Nature Valley NASTAR resort has a registration area either in
one of the lodges or at the start of the course. You will be asked to complete
a NASTAR Registration Form. The resort will input your information into the
NASTAR Software. When the resort uploads the day's races, a Race Record will
be created for you and you will be issued a NASTAR Registration Number.
Note: After your first race, we strongly suggest that you verify the personal
information on your Race Record is complete and accurate. Click here for
instructions on how to maintain your Race Record.
Once you are registered, you can visit any participating NASTAR resort and simply pay your entry fee and give the starter your NASTAR Registration Number and off you go! During the season, your race results will be transferred to your Race Record when the resort uploads the day's races.
NOTE: NASTAR requires each participant who registers for Nature Valley NASTAR to read and sign a "Waiver and Release of Liability" form. This release is included on both the online registration form on nastar.com and on the NASTAR Registration Form provided to resorts for distribution on-site. It is up to each resort to determine whether they require participants to complete the shaded portion of the form and sign the release each time they race.
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| What is a NASTAR Registration Number? | |
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Each Nature Valley NASTAR participant is issued a unique NASTAR Registration Number comprised of the
first three letters of their last name and a unique 1 - 5 digit number. If you register
online, you will be
issued the number immediately upon completion of the online registration process. If you register on-site,
you will be issued the number when the resort uploads the day's races to nastar.com. This number is unique
to you and can be used season after season (i.e. there's no need to register each season).
The NASTAR Registration Number should save you precious time when you go to race, as many resorts allow registered racers to skip the registration process and move right to the start gate. Simply pay your entry fee, give the starter your NASTAR Registration Number and off you go! The number (along with a NASTAR Password) also provides you with a means to login on nastar.com so that you can maintain your Race Record throughout the season. Click here for instructions on how to maintain your Race Record.
If you forgot your NASTAR Registration Number, enter your last name in the field indicated at the top of the page, hit search names and you'll see it listed next to your name. It is also indicated on your Race Record. Now don't forget it again!
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| Why Do I Need a NASTAR Password? | |
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A NASTAR Password enables you to take full advantage of what nastar.com has to offer and
provides you with a means to login on nastar.com so that you can maintain your Race Record
throughout the season. Once you login, you will have access to special features on your Race
Record accessible only by you including:
Update/edit personal information (e.g. mailing address, e-mail address, password, team name, etc.)
Add a photo to your page
Merge duplicate records
Remove race results
Change your name
Access online registration for the National Championships (qualifiers only)
Register for NASTAR Open events
And more!
To access these Race Tools, login by entering your NASTAR Registration Number and NASTAR Password in the fields indicated at the top of the page and hit login. You will be directed to your Race Record and a yellow Race Tools box will appear in your record. If you forgot this information, get an error message
when you try to login or need to create a password, click here.
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| How Do I View My Race Record? | |
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A Race Record is created and stored on nastar.com for each Nature Valley NASTAR participant. The Race Record contains
your personal information, season-long race results, handicaps, race-day statistics and rankings and enables you to
monitor your individual performance and vital race statistics online throughout the season. Simply put,
we've created a place for you to compare your race performance with other competitors across the country.
To view your Race Record or Race Records for any registered Nature Valley NASTAR participant enter the last name or NASTAR Registration Number of the participant you wish to find in the Last Name field at the top of each page and hit search names.
Click on the full name of the participant to view their Race Record.
If you enter a NASTAR Registration Number in the Last Name field you will go directly to their Race Record.
This option is also available on the Check Race Results page. If you login, your name
will appear in the upper left corner of the page. You can access your Race Record at any time
by clicking on your name or using the quick navigation option at the top of each page and
selecting "my results". For information on how to login click here.
Within 24 hours from the time you race Nature Valley NASTAR, your race results will be posted to your Race Record
at nastar.com when the resort uploads the day's races. If you're already a registered Nature Valley NASTAR member
(that is - you are in our database) your race results will automatically be added to your existing Race Record. If you're a first-timer, a Race Record will be created for you, you will be issued a NASTAR Registration Number and your race results will be added to your Race Record.
In addition, NASTAR provides you with the ability to maintain your Race Record during the year. After your first race and throughout the season, we strongly suggest that you verify the personal information and race results on your Race Record are complete and accurate.
Click here for
instructions on how to maintain your Race Record.
Don’t
be afraid to show off to your friends – bragging rights are everything!
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| How Do I Login? | |
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Logging in on nastar.com enables you to take full advantage of what nastar.com has to offer and provides you with the ability to maintain your Race Record throughout the season. Once you login, you will have access to special features on your Race Record
accessible only by you including:
Update/edit personal information (e.g. mailing address, e-mail address, password, team name, etc.)
Add a photo to your page
Merge duplicate records
Remove race results
Change your name
Access online registration for the National Championships (qualifiers only)
Register for NASTAR Open events
And more!
To login and access these Race Tools, enter your NASTAR Registration Number and NASTAR Password in the fields indicated at the top of the page and hit login. You will be directed to your Race Record. If you forgot this information, get an error message when you try to login or need to create a password, click here.
If you login, your name will appear in the upper left corner of the page. You can access your Race Record at any time by clicking on your name or using the quick navigation option at the top of each page and selecting "my results". If you search for your last name in the field indicated at the top of the page, an asterisk (*) appears next to your name indicating that you are logged in. Shutting down your computer does not logout. A logout option is available at the top of each page should you not want the next user to have access to your Race Record.
A login option is also available on your Race Record. To view your Race Record
enter your last name or NASTAR Registration Number in the last name field indicated at the
top of each page and hit search names. Click on your full name to view your Race
Record. If you enter your NASTAR Registration Number you will go directly to your
Race Record. If you have not Logged In and created a password at the top of your Race Record it will say "I am 'Your Name'
and I
would like to login!". Hit "click here" and follow the steps to create a NASTAR
Password and login. If you do not see this message on your Race Record you already
have a NASTAR Password on file with us. If this happens,
click here.
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| How Do I Know if a Resort has Nature Valley NASTAR ? | |
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Nature Valley NASTAR race venues can be found at more than 120 resorts across the country this season.
A complete list of Nature Valley NASTAR resorts is included on nastar.com.
Go to Where to Race. We've also made it convenient for you to
link to each resort's web site
for more information about the hosting resort. If your favorite resort is not listed, they have chosen not to host Nature Valley
NASTAR. Feel free to contact these resorts and encourage them to join Nature Valley NASTAR in the future.
Keep in mind that it is up to each resort to determine their season-long race schedule. It is therefore suggested that you contact the resort to confirm race times and dates. Also, weather may play a factor at times and races may be canceled at the resort's discretion.
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| What Do I Do When I Arrive at the Resort and Want to race NASTAR ? | |
Each Nature Valley NASTAR resort has a registration area either in one of the lodges or at the start of the
course. Resorts
are ultimately responsible for the location and set up of their Nature Valley NASTAR race venue but typically
it is visible from a high traffic lift or lodge. Ideally the registration area and/or race venue should be
easy to find and well marked, but feel free to ask one of resort employees if you have difficulty.
Many resorts allow registered racers the ability to skip the registration process and move right to the
start gate. Since a complete database of all participants is included in the NASTAR Software, which is
updated continuously throughout the season, simply pay your entry fee, give the starter your NASTAR
Registration Number and
off you go! If you are not a registered Nature Valley NASTAR member, you will be asked to
complete a NASTAR Registration
Form so that we can capture the information necessary to create your Race Record at nastar.com. The process
is quick and efficient and should only take a few minutes. The resort will input your personal information
into the NASTAR Software prior to uploading the day's races.
Once you pay a small entry fee, which is set by each individual resort (usually $5.00 for 2 runs or $10.00 for unlimited runs) and receive your race bib, it's off to the races! Good luck!
Within 24 hours from the time you race Nature Valley NASTAR, your race results will be posted to your Race Record at
nastar.com when the resort uploads the day's races. If you're already a registered Nature Valley NASTAR member
(that is - you are in our database) your race results will automatically be added to your existing Race
Record. If you're a first-timer, a Race Record will be created for you, you will be issued a NASTAR
Registration Number and your race results will be added to your Race Record.
NASTAR provides you with the ability to maintain your Race Record during the year. After your first race and throughout the season, we strongly suggest that you verify the personal information and race results on your Race Record are complete and accurate. Click here for instructions on how to maintain your Race Record.
Have fun!
NOTE: NASTAR requires each participant who registers for Nature Valley NASTAR to read and sign a "Waiver and Release of Liability" form. This release is included on both the online registration form on nastar.com and on the NASTAR Registration Form provided to resorts for distribution on-site. It is up to each resort to determine whether they require participants to complete the shaded portion of the form and sign the release each time they race.
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| What Does a NASTAR Course Look Like? | |
Participating resorts are provided with a race package that includes all the materials necessary for the successful
execution of Nature Valley NASTAR (start/finish banners, directional signage, gate panels, race bibs, state-of-the-art
scoring/registration software, etc.). Resorts are ultimately responsible for the location and set up of their Nature Valley
NASTAR race venue but typically it is visible from a high traffic lift or lodge. Resorts have the option to
set single or dual courses. Race courses should be about 350 meters in length. Each course is essentially a modified GS course with anywhere from 12 - 20 gates that
racers must maneuver around. Gates are set with 18-22 meters of space between gates vertically and 4-8 meters of offset. NASTAR encourages resorts across the country to standardize their course(s) to have a par time of 23 seconds and set courses so that no course is within 5% of the cap time. The "cap time" is defined as the time it takes a pacesetter to tuck from the start to the finish of their course without going around gates and is the fastest possible time the venue will allow. It's important to remember that due to a number of variables at each resort (terrain, pitch, overall conditions, etc.), the look and feel of each race venue will vary according to the resort. However, these standards should enable participants to compare race times as best as possible regardless of when and where they race.
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| Who is in Charge of Posting My Race Results? | |
Following each race, it is the resort's responsibility to post their complete and accurate
race results to nastar.com in a timely manner and download the latest database updates.
We encourage resorts to do this within 24 hours of each race, however, as you may imagine this isn't always the case.
We encourage you to contact the resort prior to contacting NASTAR as they can give you more specifics about their race results.
Ultimately, this process should ensure a seamless and immediate transmission of race results.
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| Can you Give Me the Brief History of NASTAR? | |
Historically, the NASTAR program had its roots in France where ski instructors were rated by the percentage they lagged behind the time recorded by the fastest French ski instructor. This provided a standardized system so that instructors from Chamonix could compare themselves to instructors at Val d'Isere or other resorts.
John
Fry, former editor-in-chief of SKI Magazine, believed the program would be applicable to recreational ski racing in the United States and adopted this universal handicap scoring system. He called it the National Standard Race. The program, later given the acronym NASTAR, was introduced in 1968 as a means to measure the performance of recreational ski racers at resorts across the United States. Similar to golf's handicap system, ski racers of all ages and abilities could now compare their times and compete with one another regardless of where and when they raced.
With
SKI Magazine’s support,
NASTAR became the recreational race program at resorts across the country as competitors were
eager to measure their skiing ability with one another based on a national standard established each year
by the fastest member of the U.S. Ski Team. Prodded and promoted by former U.S. Ski Team coach and TV
commentator Bob Beattie, the program grew to over 100 resorts attracting close to one million ski
racers. In fact, since 1968, more than 6 million NASTAR racer days have been completed.
Today NASTAR continues
to generate the necessary enthusiasm and excitement to provide participants of
all ages and abilities an enjoyable ski and snowboard racing experience.
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