Due to the early date for the Empire State Winter Games, February 4, 2012, the qualification rules are quite liberal and inclusive. Further, due to the weather conditions this year, let me open it up even further. Anyone who has experience orienteering and has any degree of confidence in their ability to navigation on cross country skis is eligible to compete at Empire State Winter Games.
The Ski Orienteering event will be at Dewey Mountain, Saranac Lake, Saturday, February 4. Check in any time after 10 AM. Pre-race meeting will be at 10:45 and the first start will be at 11 AM. This is a small compact network of trails so there will be more than one map for all but the very young and very grand masters. Open class will likely have three map swaps.
You must register for ESWG at https://www.empirestatewintergames.com/registration/general AND you must e-mail me the OUSA class you want to compete within and, if you have one, your dibbler/chip/stick number. If you do not have a dibbler/chip/stick we will make every effort to get you one for which you will be responsible to replace if lost.
When registering for ESWG you have three choices for class: scholastic, open and masters. Awards made at 2:30 PM, or as soon as possible thereafter, will be in the following OUSA age classes:
- 16 and under (-16) [scholastic]
- 18 and under (-18) [scholastic]
- 19 and over (19+) [open]
- 40 and over (40+) [masters]
- 55 and over (55+) [masters]
- 70 and over (70+) [masters]
Age is determined as of December 31, 2012.
If you want to compete in ESWG register now, send me the needed extra information, and e-mail me with questions about eligibility. We will all assume that you will make every effort to do one of the ski O events between now and February 4 to get in a practice event. Several are being rescheduled at present. Season points you garner at the ESWG will be doubled for the NYSSRA – Nordic team ranking system. Also, consider this a qualifier for the NYSSRA – Nordic Championship Ski O in Lake Placid the weekend of March 2 – 4, 2012.
Please pass the word.
If you see Len Cormier between now and February 4 please thank him. He is feverishly trying to update the map to be consistent with grooming plans for the event. Now a test for all of our faithful followers: what year was the US Ski O Championships held on this map hosted by the Cambridge Sports Union?
Anyone competing in the ESWG Ski Orienteering may NOT ski at Dewey Mountain between now and February 4, except as a part of a scheduled competitive event and then only on the course of the scheduled event. Anyone who chooses to ignore this rule will NOT be eligible for an ESWG medal.
