Crew Info
| Some of the tasks performed by our Course Crews are listed below. A number of these jobs are done by specialized crews, such as the Dye Crew, the High Speed Slip Crew and the Equipment Runners. | Back to the general Job Descriptions |
Install Safety Nets
– there are a variety of
safety nets used
to protect racers in an alpine ski race. Large
‘A’
Nets are installed by the Safety Crew,
experienced riggers who hang the nets from high
cables. These nets are anchored to the snow by other Course
crews, using plywood disks called cookies.
The nets often require re-tensioning.
Course
workers place ‘B’
Nets where particular
hazards exist. These are short lengths of netting strung on plastic
poles. ‘B’ Nets may be 2 or 3 rows deep,
depending on the hazard and racer speed.
Course workers
place crowd
control nets in selected areas well outside
the course, to keep the public from wandering onto the
course.
The Security Crew mans openings in the crowd control
nets to control traffic through the openings.
Install Slip Skirt
– course workers place close-mesh plastic netting along the
bottom of each ‘A’ Net to prevent racers from
getting caught in the open-weave ‘A’ Net.
Install Willy Bags
– course workers inflate large air-filled bags and use these
to cover obstructions such as water hydrants, TV camera towers and
trees that may be particularly close to the course.
Moving Snow
– if it snows on a prepared track, course workers remove the
fresh snow by shovelling and by side-slipping or side-slipping on
skis. If
there is not enough snow on portions of the track, course workers
“farm” snow from neighbouring areas, moving it onto
the track (not usually a problem in Whistler!). Recovering
from an overnight snowfall can be a major undertaking. All
the new snow has to be removed quickly, before it softens the hard
track underneath.
Start Hut
– course
workers erect the start hut and install fencing to set up the start
area.
Finish Area – course workers erect and maintain special safety fencing to create a finish corral, or stopping area for racers after they cross the finish line. These workers may also set up bleachers for spectators and generally help to build and maintain structures in the finish area. These course workers need not be skiers. A number of the Finish Crew also run the Beer Tent, and some 'double' as drivers..
Running Equipment
– course workers deliver nets, poles, shovels, rakes and
other equipment to crews working on the course. Runners need
to be strong skiers.
Course Setter Support
– course workers carry poles
and cloth panels for the course setter as he works his way down the
track, setting gates.
Course maintenance
– during races, course crew
maintain the track by shovelling and raking ruts and by repairing nets
that may be challenged by wayward racers. Requires quick
action and deft movement.
Apply Coloured Dye
– the "Dye Crew" applies a ribbon of coloured dye along each
side of the racecourse to guide racers down the track.
High Speed Slip - during the race, the “Slip Crew” continues to side-slip the course to remove loose snow and to try to smooth out ruts. Slipping is done in sections and after every three or four racers.
