This page describes how race handicaps, points, and awards are calculated. The information published here is a condensed version of the official rules that govern FWRA events. This is not the official document that describes race scoring. The official rules are published by the FWRA. You can read them here: FWRA Rules 2003

Please review the new scoring system and the rules for 2004/4005 season.(doc file 58Kb)

This is how it works:

1. A score is calculated for each racer. The scoring method varies from race to race. For two-run races, it can be the total time, the best of the two times, or the second time only (practice run). For Sierra League, it is usually the total time.
    
   
2. A zero time is calculated for each pacesetter using their score and their pacesetter rating:
      zTime = Score / ((1 + Rating)/100)
   Theoretically, this is time that a world champion would get on this course. Pacesetters were rated at the end of last season.
    
   
3. Pacesetter zTimes are chosen. Some zTimes are not used for calculating hadicaps. If the pacesetter skiied far better or worse than their rating, their zTime is usually ignored. On the results sheets, the pacesetters that are turned on are marked with this symbol: > .
    
   
4. The zPar is calculated for each course. It is the average of all zTimes that have not been turned off.
    
   
5. Sometimes the zPar is adjusted. This occurs when the number of strikes exceeds the FWRA maximum. ZPar adjustments are somewhat artificial. Sierra League prefers to turn pacesetter zTimes on or off before using an adjustment. The zPar adjustment is displayed on the report at the top of each page as is the adjusted zPar .
    
   
6. Each racer is assigned a handicap based on their score and the adjusted zPar:
      Handicap = ( Score / zPar - 1 ) x 100
   You can interpret Handicap as a percentage your time is slower than of a world champion. For example if your time is 60 sec and your handicap is 20, the champion's time would have been 50 sec.
    
   
7. First-time racers are assigned to classes based on their handicap and on the judgement of the race director.
    
   
8. Points and awards are assigned according to FWRA standards. The points and awards depend on a racer's place within their class and on the number of starters in that class. To qualify for points and awards, a racer must ski better than the high handicap for their class or beat someone in their class. See the FWRA rules for more information.
    
   
9. Any racers who ski better than the low handicap for their class will be given a strike. If they ski better than the low handicap for the next level up, they get two strikes. And so on... The score that corresponds to the low handicap is displayed above each class as the break time . 
    
   
10. Any racers who have two or more strikes will be promoted to the next level before the next race. This is called a bump. For each bump, two strikes are removed from the racer's record. Unused strikes remain valid for two full seasons. Bumps are marked on the right side of the results with an asterisk: * .
     
    

If you have any questions about this, please ask me or send an email:  dan@jeffrey.reno.nv.us
-- Dan Jeffrey, December 9, 2002