Selection Criteria for Junior Olympics — Rocky Mountain Nordic
1) USSA Mandated Quotas — The RMN has a total of 42 (21 females and 21 males, not including pre-qualified athletes) for the USSA Junior Olympics (Junior National Championships). A maximum of 12 skiers can be named, per sex, in any one-age class (OJ, J1 and J2). There is no minimum per class. RMN will send 12 OJ/J1 athletes and nine J2 athletes per sex to JOs in addition to pre-qualified athletes.
2) In addition to the RMN’s quota of 42 skiers, US Ski Team members, including current members of the World Junior Team, and skiers who ranked in the top 20 males and top 20 females on the final World Junior Trial Selection List may represent RMN (USSA Rule 70.1.2). NCAA skiers may be added to the RMN team above the quota (USSA Rule 070.1.4). Athletes who qualify for and attend the J1 Scandinavian Cup, the Biathlon Junior World Championships or place in the top 10 at the Nordic Combined Junior World Trials may be added to the RMN team according to (USSA Rules 070.1.2, 070.1.3, 070.1.5).
3) RMN Junior Olympic Qualifier Races — A skier’s top four races at RMN JOQ races, regardless of technique or race format, will be used to determine the JO team. The RMN Points system will be used to determine which races these are. (See: “RMN Points List” document for more information.) To be scored in a RMN JOQ, the skier must be a member of RMN three days prior to the race day in which he/she wishes to be scored
4) RMN allows potential JO athletes to substitute NRL/FIS races for qualifying for the Rocky Mountain Junior Olympic Team. RMN allows collegiate racers to substitute two races, while non-collegiate racers are allowed to substitute one race. Only J1/OJ racer may substitute races — J2 racers may not substitute NRL races for RMN races. NRL sprint races can not be used as substitution races. For the 2006 JO team, RMN skiers must submit NRL/FIS race results they wish to use as substitution races, in writing, to the RMN Points Coordinator no later than Monday, February 13, 2006.
5) The automatic qualification rule for winners of sprint race events at RMN JOQ races in the past in no longer in effect.
6) The RMN JO Selection Committee will no longer consider naming skiers to the RMN JO team on a discretionary basis. With the substitution of NRL race points for RMN JOQ race points, there should be ample opportunity for skiers to qualify for the RMN JO team.
7) Objective Criteria — After the elimination of pre-qualified skiers from end-of-season points lists by class, the top 12 OJ/J1 and top nine J2 skiers of each sex on the RMN Points list will be named to the RMN JO team.
8) Appeals Process and Appeals Board — Skiers have the right to appeal a decision made by the RMN JO Selection Committee. This appeal must be made in a timely fashion, and it will be considered in a timely fashion as well. To appeal, a skier must submit an appeal in writing (e-mail is acceptable) to the RMN Executive Director, Jason Cork. The executive director will confirm to the skier the question that the appeal has been received and will convene an Appeals Board meeting as quickly as possible. This meeting may be held via conference call. The Appeals Board will consist of the following members: the RMN executive director, a current senior USSA athletes and either the USSA Mountain Region Coordinator or the USSA Mountain Region Sport Committee Representative.