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USSA & CXC Cross-Country Ski Officials’ Pipeline

Level 1: Club Event Official (USSA goal: Total of 200)
Criteria:
1. Volunteer in any position at local and citizen Cross-Country events
2. Participate in USSA educational activities, such as attending local or regional clinics and seminars
3. Become licensed USSA official and receive national education material including rulebook

Level 2: Regional USSA Official (USSA goal: Total of 75)
Criteria:
1. Officiate satisfactory at least once every 2 years at level 2 Cross-Country events (see “Venue and Event Organizer’s Pipeline”),
2. Attend regional or national USSA Officials' clinic at least once every 4 years and pass open book test.
3. Maintain a current USSA official’s license,), and be tracked in the national USSA officials’ database
4. Begin specializing in certain area(s) of Cross-Country event officiating/organization (Chief of competition, course, stadium, timing, competition control or secretariat)

Level 3: National USSA Official (USSA goal: Total of 50)
Criteria:
1. Officiate satisfactory at least once every 2 years at level 2 or 3 Cross-Country events (see “Venue and Event Organizer’s Pipeline”) in a key position (Chief or assistant chief of competition, course, stadium, timing or secretary, or in other position supervising a large group of people)
2. Attend national USSA Officials' Clinic at least once every 2 years and pass written exam.
3. Maintain a current USSA official’s license, and be tracked in the national USSA officials’ database.
4. Achieve high level of expertise in certain area(s) of Cross-Country event officiating/organization (Chief of competition, course, stadium, timing, competition control or secretariat) in major National event.

Level 4: International USSA Official (USSA goal: Total of 15)
Criteria:
1. Officiate satisfactory at level 4 Cross-Country events (see “Venue and Event Organizer’s Pipeline”) in a key position (Chief or assistant chief of competition, course, stadium, timing or secretarial sub-committee, or in other position supervising a large group of people)
2. Lecture at or organize a USSA National Officials' Clinic once every 4 years.
3. Maintain a current USSA official’s license, and be tracked in the national USSA officials’ database.
4. Demonstrate highest level of expertise in certain area(s) of Cross-Country event officiating/organization (Chief of competition, course, stadium, timing, competition control or secretariat) at major international event.
5. Pursue special projects under the direction of the USSA Officials’ Committee

Areas of Event Officiating/Organization for Officials Pipeline:

1. Course and Grooming
2. Stadium/Start/Finish
3. Timing/Results/Information Technology
4. Secretariat/Information Technology
5. Competition Control (Technique Control, Bib Control, Access Control, etc.)
6. Chief of Competition

USSA TD’ Pipeline

Level 1: USSA Technical Delegate in training
Criteria:
1. Sign up as TD candidate in USSA TD database
2. Participate in regional or national TD clinics
3. Officiate as member of Jury in level 2 or 3 events
4. Not yet officiated as TD or assistant TD in level 2 or 3 races

Level 2: Regional USSA Technical Delegate (USSA goal: Total of 40)
Criteria:
1. Officiate satisfactory as TD at level 2 events or assistant TD at level 3 events (see “Venue and Event Organizer’s Pipeline”)
2. Organize or attend regional or national officials' or TD seminar every 4 years
3. Be in good physical condition and be able to ski any competition course.
4. Maintain a current USSA official’s license, and be tracked in the national USSA officials’ database.
5. Demonstrate excellence as a lead official in two or more officiating areas at level 2 or 3 events, or accumulate experience as coach or athlete at level 3 or 4 events (see “Venue and Event Organizer’s Pipeline”), and indicate interest in TD officiating. Must be recommended for TD candidacy by region/division/district cross country or officials committee.

Level 3: National USSA Technical Delegate (USSA goal: Total of 15-20)
Criteria:
1. Officiate satisfactory as TD at level 3 events (see “Venue and Event Organizer’s Pipeline”) at least once every 4 years.
2. Actively participate yearly in TD and Officials’ work at a regional level
3. Organize or present at regional officials/TD seminar once every 2 years.
4. Attend National USSA TD or FIS seminar every 4 years and pass rules examination.
5. Be in good physical condition and be able to ski any competition course.
6. Maintain a current USSA official’s license, be tracked in the national USSA officials’ database and receive national education material.
7. Must be nominated by Level 4 Technical Delegate or by regional officials’ coordinator

Level 4: International FIS Technical Delegate (USSA goal: Total of 2-5)
Criteria:
1. Officiate as TD or assistant TD at non-domestic FIS events or domestic World Cup events.
2. Present at or organize national USSA Officials' or TD seminars regularly
3. Assist with preparation of USSA TD and Officials educational material
4. Attend international FIS meetings, FIS homologation, or FIS TD seminars at least every 4 years
5. Be instrumental in disseminating FIS rules and interpretations to national USSA TDs and Officials.
6. Be in good physical condition and be able to ski any competition course.
7. Oversee evaluation and nomination of National (level 3) USSA Technical Delegates.

Venue and Event Organizer’s Pipeline

Level 1: Local and Citizen Event (USSA sanctioned or non-sanctioned)
Criteria:
Organize successful local and citizen events, with sufficient equipment, including timing, grooming, signs etc. Is encouraged to adhere to USSA rules for all events and is responsible for adhering to USSA rules if event is sanctioned by USSA. A list of responsibilities and a USSA rulebook is provided by USSA upon request.

Level 2: National Ranking Event/Junior Qualifier
Criteria:
1. Event is nominated to USSA by regional coordinator, and is included in USSA competition schedule.
2. Chief of competition is a licensed USSA national official with prior officiating experience, and knowledge of rules concerning all race-formats and techniques.
3. Event organization works and consults with regionally appointed USSA TD
4. Event uses advanced timing equipment and data processing for results (electronic equipment recommended)
5. Event uses advanced grooming equipment (appropriate and sufficient for the task), and ideal-line track setting (with snowmobile) for classical races.

Level 3: National Championship/Junior Olympics/Nor-Am/FIS event/Olympic or WSC trial/USSA approved National Series
Criteria:
1. Event has applied through USSA "Request for proposal” process (for National Championship, NorAm), through regional committee (for Junior Olympics), or regional coordinator (for FIS events)
2. Venue and courses are USSA certified, and have submitted current stadium and course plans and profiles to the USSA CC Technical Committee.
3. TD at prior level 2 or 3 events, or USSA CC Officials’ or Junior Committee (as applicable) has approved venue and organization as satisfactory.
4. Chief of competition is a licensed USSA National level official with prior officiating experiences at level 2, 3 or 4 events.
5. Event organization works and consults with nationally appointed TD
6. Event uses advanced electronic timing and data processing system with back up for timing and results
7. Event uses advanced grooming equipment (large grooming machines with tiller capabilities), and ideal -line track setting (with snowmobile) for classical races. Organizer prepares courses for official training day before race.
8. Event produces and submits results and TD evaluation report according to USSA guidelines to USSA national office within 1 week of the event.
9. Organizer conducts in cooperation with USSA Officials’ Committee training program for local officials in the period leading up to the event.

Level 4: Olympic Games/World Championship/World Cup events
Criteria:
1. Organizer applies for event through USSA "Request for proposal” process (or through OC for Olympic Games)
2. Venue is FIS homologated and certified
3. Venue and organization have prior experience with National Championship
4. Organization is experienced, stable and complete, current in all FIS rules and USSA/FIS certifications, and chaired by a USSA level 3 or 4 official.
5. Venue has top quality grooming equipment and snow making capabilities
6. Venue and organization fulfills all other requirements per USSA/FIS/IOC guidelines