Ice Chips Issue 87 Study Guide

Hi, Folks.

By now you should have received the new issue of U.S. Speedskating's newsletter Ice Chips in the mail.  While the entire issue contains information (except for most of the Long Track info) that probably affects the skaters from the SCSSA, here is a brief "study guide" of important stuff that may directly affect you, the information you probably need to know!

Page 7:  USADA Drug Testing.  You should be very familiar with this page, especially the USADA Drug Hotline phone number.  Note, there is a USADA link on the SCSSA website.

Page 11:  Code of Conduct.  While it appears that there is a misprint, since it says "continued", just be aware that there is a brand new Code of Conduct that you will eventually be asked to sign.  The differences are minor, but the U.S. Olympic Committee told USS to make some changes in the wording.

Page 11:  Uniform.  All Category One skaters should read this, just to be aware of USS uniform (USA Skins, etc.) distribution situations.

Page 11:  Competition Committee.  Nothing critical here, but nice to review so you might know what could happen in the future.

Page 13:  Attachment 1:  Athlete Direct Funding Programs.  Please review this entire section, especially if you are concerned about funding available to Category One skaters.  Also, make sure you are paying attention to Short Track info, as Long Track is also mixed into this part.

Page 15:  Attachment 5:  Short Track  You should read all of this, especially if you are an Elite skater. 

• Obviously the references to the U.S. Junior Short Track Championships (three pages) are not important, as that meet was held a few weeks ago.  This information was sent out via email by USS some weeks ago.
  
• Page 21:  North American Short Track procedures.  Read this if you plan on going to the North American Short Track in Kamloops, BC in March (some of our skaters are going).

Page 24:  Board Resolutions Passed by Email Vote:  Please note all of the items concerning Short Track, especially the new time standards for Junior Category One. 

Page 25, U.S. National Short Track Championships, Selection Procedures.  This is the "Nationals", next March in Madison.

Elite Skaters:  Please read the section on "bye's", starting on Page 25.  A 'bye" means that a skater may be "pre-qualified" for the World Team, and not be required to actually compete in the National Championships (Senior Division).  Skaters have been curious about the selection of a World Team at this meet, some feeling that the World Team will be the same as the Olympic Team.  Not quite true. 

Simply put (and not quite clear in this issue of Ice Chips, but clearly stated in Issue 86 last July, Athletes who compete in an individual event at the Olympics will pre-qualify for an individual start position at the World Short Track Championships.

However, the actual number of US skaters who will get to skate in an individual event at the Olympics will be determined next weekend at the Olympic Qualifier in Europe, World Cup #4.  So we do not know that number as of yet.

Clear as mud?  Questions are welcome.

Jerry