The U.S. National Whitewater Slalom Team for 2001 will be selected at the U.S. Team Trials on the Ocoee River, Tennessee May 18, 19 and 20, 2001.
Only registered USACK members who are qualified to compete for the United States in international competition according to current ICF rules and regulations are eligible to qualify to compete for the US National Team.
1. Entry to the 2001 National Team Trials shall be limited to boats that qualify to participate in the 2001 National Team Trials by one of three procedures:
a. Based on 2000 NWSC Slalom Paddler Rankings
A boat automatically qualifies for the National Team Trials by virtue of a norm % of 85.00 or greater in the 2000 NWSC Slalom Paddler Rankings within class.
b. By Placement in Any One of Four Qualifying Races
Nantahala O.C., NC - March 24
St Louis, MO - April 7
Snyder's Mill, NH - April 21
Kernville, CA - April 21
2.The top three K-1's, the top two C-l's, the top two K-1W's and the top two C-2's from each race qualify for the National Team Trials.
3.Any boat that has previously qualified under method a or b is excluded when determining placements.
4.If a qualifying boat chooses not to attend the Trials, substitution of a lower placed boat is not permitted.
5.An athlete may qualify in up to two classes by any of the above outlined methods or combination thereof.
c. Written Petition to NWSC Team Support Committee
1. A boat may gain entry to the 2001 National Team Trials by the Team Support Committee when injury or other extenuating circumstances have prevented qualification under method a or b. The athlete(s) shall petition the Team Support Committee in writing. The petition is to be submitted to the USACK national office, and must be received by the USACK on or before May 1, 2001. The NWSC Chair will poll the Team Support Committee, with a decision reached by majority vote and reasons given in writing in the event of a negative vote. In deciding on petitions, the Committee will consider the merits of the petition and the target number of boats for the Trials set forth by the Trials Steering Committee. The Committee shall seek additional input from knowledgeable persons such as the National Team Coaching Staff, COE Coaches, or NWSC divisional representatives.
2. If there are fewer than three eligible K -1' s, two eligible C-1's, two eligible K-1W's or two eligible C-2's at a team trials qualification given race, the NWSC Team Support Committee may elect to approve a petition by the highest placing unqualified boat or boats in that class from another qualifying race (pending a written petition to the Team Support Committee by April 28, 2001).
3. C-2 teams shall qualify as a team, and not as individuals. C-2 teams which have not qualified according to the procedures outlined above will not be permitted to compete in the National Team Trials even if both individuals in the C-2 team have qualified as part of other C-2 teams, or individually in C-l 's or K-l 's.
4. An exception, as voted on and passed by the NWSC Executive Committee, will allow the participation of International athletes. Said athletes are not eligible to represent the US in International competition and therefore will not be included in the final results. A maximum of 37 International boats will be given permission to race in the 2001 Team Trials. A reasonable number (above and beyond those eligible for racing) of International athletes will be granted permission to paddle during designated practice times. The Team Support Committee and race organizers will determine the number of International practice boats.
1. The National Team Trials is scheduled to consist of three races. The first race is currently scheduled to be held on the Ocoee River, Tennessee May 18, 2001. The second race is scheduled to be held on the Ocoee River, Tennessee May 19, 2001. The third race is scheduled to be held on the Ocoee River, Tennessee May 20, 2001.
2. In the event that one or more of the three races shall be canceled for any reason, the NWSC Executive Committee shall designate an additional race or races to replace the canceled race(s). Any replacement race shall be held as soon as possible after the completion of the final scheduled team selection race. In the event that the NWSC Executive Committee determines that no alternative race sites and dates are reasonably available, the National Team selection process shall be modified as follows:
a. Team selection shall be based on a minimum of two team selection races.
b. In the event that only two team selection races are completed, the national team shall be selected using the results of the two completed selection races as follows: Boat one will be the winner of the first race. Boat two will be the winner of the second race. Boats three, five, seven, nine, etc. will be selected based on the results of the first race. Boats four, six, eight, ten, etc. will be selected based on the results of the second race.
1. The Trials will be governed by the then current ICF Racing Rules.
2. Practice runs shall not be allowed.
3. The same class order will be used each day so that every racer has the same time period between events.
4. All classes will be run back to back in the following order: C-1, K-1W, K-1, C-2
5. The start order for each class shall be determined based on final National Ranking results from the 2000 competitive season, with the highest ranked boats running last. Boats with 2000 rankings substantially below 1999 rankings due to injury may petition the Team Support Committee to be allowed running at the front of their class. Petitions must be received by the Team Support Committee two weeks prior to the start of team trials. Petitions will be granted only in cases where 2000 race results demonstrate that the boat is likely to be competitive for the National A or B teams.
6. The same start (bib) order will be used each day.
7. Boats will be started at one minute intervals.
8. Boats may petition the chief judge to allow an additional time beyond the one minute interval. The chief judge will grant the petition only in cases where the boat has been interfered with by a slower boat or has overtaken a slower boat during a previous 2001 National Team Trials race run.
1. The Team selection procedures will be the same for all boat classes.
2. The results of the 2001 National Team Trials shall be used to determine athlete eligibility for the 2001 World Championships, World Cup races, National Team coaching, USACK athlete funding and other benefits provided by the USACK and NWSC. All types of the aforementioned eligibility and benefits apply to athletes from the completion of the 2001 National Team Trials until the completion of the 2002 National Team Trials.
3. An athlete's results at the 2001 Worlds or 2001 World Cup may be used to select a subset of eligible athletes to receive specific training, or funding benefits, as determined by the Team Support Committee and/or the USACK Director of Slalom. Any use of 2000 Olympic or 2000 World Cup results for National Team or training camp eligibility purposes must be announced prior to the first 2001 Team Trials race.
4. Athletes choosing to compete in two classes are required to participate in both classes to the best of their abilities. Any athlete not taking two runs in each class in two of the three Team Trials races will be disqualified in both classes.
1. Within one hour of posting the final results on the final day of the National Team Trials, boats in position to win a position on the National A Team, based on the criteria specified in provisions III.B.2 and IV. D, must commit to represent the United States in a minimum of one World Cup race and the World Championships in 2001. If a boat fails to commit, that boat's results in each of the three National Team Trials races will be ignored when determining the fastest boats in each class according to provision III.B.2 below, and the boat shall be ranked no higher than fifth in the final boat rankings.
2. After completion of the third day of trials, the boats in each class will be rank- listed on the following basis:
a. In each of the trials races, the overall score of the fastest boat in each class will be used to calculate the percentage-off-leader for each boat.
b. For each boat, the best (lowest) two (out of three) percentage-off-leader scores will be averaged to create a series percentage-off-leader score.
c. The boat with the lowest series percentage-off-leader score shall be the first ranked boat.
d. The boat with the next lowest series percentage-off-leader score shall be the second ranked boat.
e. The boat with the next lowest series percentage-off-leader score shall be the third ranked boat.
f. The boat with the next lowest series percentage-off-leader score shall be the fourth ranked boat.
g. The fifth and sixth ranked boats, and lower ranked boats will be determined in the same manner.
3. In the event that any boat wins the first two Team Trials races, this boat will be the first boat on the Team. Then, this boat's results shall be excluded from determining the positions of all subsequent boats.
4. An athlete may be ranked in the top four in only one class. If, after completion of the three national team trials races, an athlete is positioned to be ranked in the top four in two classes, the athlete must indicate to the National Team Leader which class the athlete will be ranked within one hour of the posting of all final results. The athlete's race result in the class in which the athlete chooses not to be ranked will be ignored when determining the fastest boats in each class according to provision III.B.2.
1. Composition of the 2001 United States World Championships Team will be determined by the eligible number of boats in each class as defined by qualification under ICF rules. This number is projected to be four boats in each class.
2. Boats selected to compete for the United States in the 2001World Championships must prove eligibility consistent with the ICF Guidelines for eligibility.
3. If any athlete fails to prove ICF eligibility for 2001World Championships participation before September 14, 2001; that athlete is ineligible to compete and will be replaced on the Team by the next best finisher at the 2001 National Team Trials.
1. After completion of the 2001 Team Trials, four boats from each class shall be invited to participate in the 2001 World Championships and Wausau World Cup, with boats 5 and 6 being the first and second alternates respectively should Boats 1-4 be unable or choose not to compete. Boats eligible for the European World Cup Team (Pending qualification under section IV.B.3 of this criteria) must commit to compete in the first set of European World Cup races (May 26-June 10) within one hour of posting the final results of the final team selection race. National "A" Team members have until June 15, 2001 to decline entry in the second set of European World Cup and Pre-Worlds races (July 28-August 19). Alternates must then commit to the second set of races between June 15 to June 22.
2. Additional alternates will be chosen from Boats 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, etc., respectively. Alternates must commit within one week of notification.
3. To participate in any World Cup race held outside of North America, a boat must have a combined percentage-off-leader score of less than 15 percent relative to the fastest boat in class at the 2001 National Team Trials.
1. If any World Cup races or other major international races take place in the year 2002 before the 2002 Team Trials, the 2001 National A Team invitation process will be used.
1. The top four boats in each class committing to represent the United States in international competitions consistent with section III.B.l will make up the National A Team for 2001.
2. An athlete may be named to the National A Team in only one class.
1. Athletes will qualify for the National B Team based on the final rankings after the completion of the national team trials.
a) Boat 5: In each class, the boat with the highest ranking who has not already qualified for the National A team.
b) Boat 6: In each class, the boat with the highest ranking who has not already qualified for the National A or B team.
c) Top Qualifying Junior: In each class, the junior with the highest ranking, who has not already qualified for the National A or B team will be named to the National B Team for coaching and training camp opportunities, provided that the average percentage-off-leader score of the boat's two best trials races is less than or equal to 20 percent. The percentage-off-leader score in each race shall be calculated as defined in section III.B.2 above. Designation of "Top Qualifying Junior" will not change the ranking of the boat when selecting alternatives.
1. Substitutions by designated alternates will be allowed as stated in IV.B. If either member of a C-2 boat resigns or is unable to compete, the entire boat must be replaced.
1. Procedures - see above.
1. No discretion is permitted.
1. Procedures - see above.
1. Level Of Funding
a. USACK is expected to budget funding for slalom athlete training and travel grants for 2001. The budget allocated to slalom may be increased or decreased by the USACK Board of Directors. Budget line items for slalom may be increased or decreased by the NWSC Board of Directors. Budget line items allocated to the Slalom Team Support budget may be increased or decreased by the Team Support Committee and or USACK Director of Slalom.
b. USACK funds received by the National Team and other eligible boats will be determined on the basis of performance at the 2001 Team Trials, 2001 World Championships, and 2001 World Cup.
Only registered USACK members who are qualified to compete for the United States in international competition as Juniors according to current ICF rules and regulations are eligible to compete in the National Junior Team Trials.
1.The National Junior Team Trials shall consist of two days of races.
2.Rules and Procedures
a.The Trials will be governed by the then ICF Racing Rules.
b.The same class order will be used each day so that every racer has the same time period between events.
c.The classes will each do one run and then a second run with at least 60 minutes between an individual's runs.
d.The start order for each class shall be determined based on final National Ranking results from the year prior competition season, with the highest ranked boats starting last
e.Boats will start at one minute intervals unless the chief judge, at his discretion, decides that a longer interval is appropriate between specific boats.
f.There will be a maximum of six gate changes between the first day course and the final day course.
1.The results of the Junior Trials in a Pre-Worlds year will be used to determine eligibility for National Junior Team selection for Junior Pre-World Championships and Junior World Cup races, USACK athlete funding, and other National Junior Team benefits.
2.The results of the Junior Trials in a Worlds year will be used to determine eligibility for National Junior Team selection for Junior World Championships and Junior World Cup races, USACK athlete funding, and other National Junior Team benefits.
3.Junior Trials results will be based on combined times on each of two days of competition. The top boat in each class on the final day will be ranked as the first boat. The second boat in each class on the final day will be ranked as the second boat. The first boat in each class on the first day will be ranked the third boat if not already ranked higher on the final day. The second boat in each class on the first day will be ranked the fourth boat if not already ranked higher on the final day. The third boat in each class on the final day will be ranked the fifth boat if not already ranked higher on either day. The third boat in each class on the first day will be ranked the sixth boat if not already ranked higher on either day. The ranking will continue to alternate between the first day and the final day with the next boat being the fourth boat on the final day.
4.In a Pre-Worlds year or a World's year, a percentage off the top absolute boat in the entire competition will be applied to select boats in each class for the National Junior Team. K-1's must be within 25%, C-1's within 30%, K-1W's within 45%, and C-2's within 45% of the top absolute boat.
5.In a Pre-Worlds year, the maximum number of boats to be selected for the National Junior Team in each class shall be six. The minimum number of boats in each class regardless of percentage shall be two K-1, two C-1, and two K-1W, but one C-2.
6.In a Worlds year, the maximum number of boats to be selected for the National Junior Team in each class shall be four. The minimum number of boats in each class regardless of percentage shall be two K-1, two C-1, and two K-1W, but one C-2.
7.A competitor who is selected for the Junior National Team but is unable to travel to the international competitions shall retain that position on the Team for the purpose of training benefits.
8.Alternates to the Junior National Team may become eligible to participate in international competitions if Team members are unable to travel to the international competitions and if the alternates met the criteria for junior team selection at Junior Trials.
9.A competitor is not eligible to be selected for the National Junior Team in more than one class.
1.The National Cadet Team will be selected at Junior Team Trials and at Junior Olympics.
2.The rules and procedures will be the same for cadets as for juniors.
3.To be eligible for the National Cadet Team, a competitor must be under 15 years of age.
4.The top two boats in each class will be selected for the Cadet Team at Junior Team Trials.
5.The third and fourth cadet boats in each class will be selected for the Cadet Team at Junior Olympics.
6.If there is only one boat selected at Junior Trials, then three boats will be selected at Junior Olympics. If no boats are selected at Junior Trials, then four boats will be selected at Junior Olympics.
To be eligible for selection to the National Cadet Team, a competitor must score within 200% of the top overall boat regardless of class at the Junior Team Trials or the Junior Olympics.