Junior racing: Analyzing the numbers dropoff

While success stories from the domestic junior ranks are numerous, a decrease in junior involvement after the age of 12 is becoming a disturbing trend for the sport, and coaches are left to speculate why.  
    In 2006, for girls between the ages of 13 and 15, membership fell by 150 athletes and continued to fall by 240 by the age of 17. Between the ages of 12 and 14, boys’ numbers fell by 120 and by the age of 16, numbers decreased another 200. The numbers don’t lie, and coaches from around the country are concerned by the realization. Here’s what some had to say on the topic:
WHILE SUCCESS STORIES from the domestic junior ranks are numerous, a decrease in junior involvement after the age of 12 is becoming a disturbing trend for the sport, and coaches are left to speculate why.  
    In 2006, for girls between the ages of 13 and 15, membership fell by 150 athletes and continued to fall by 240 by the age of 17. Between the ages of 12 and 14, boys’ numbers fell by 120 and by the age of 16, numbers decreased another 200. The numbers don’t lie, and coaches from around the country are concerned by the realization. Here’s what some had to say on the topic:
    Mike Racz, program director of Stratton Training Center: “My experience is that when kids hit J2, there is a dramatic dropoff in participation in the weekend programs. The competition at the J2 level gets ramped up considerably and most of the kids who are really into it leave for academics. This is also the time when kids realize skiing is not going to be their ticket to college, but possibly soccer, lacrosse or tennis.”
    Adam Olsen, program director at Holy Hill Race Program: “I’ve ruled out that the reason behind the decline is that they don’t see results. A parent pointed out to me last night that at the Wisconsin state high school meet, every skier in the top three also raced USSA. This parent felt that if his kids wanted to compete against the top skiers in the state, he owed it to them to have them race USSA. USSA becomes a means to an end and not an end in itself. What I think is important for U.S. skiing to see in this is that these kids crave recognition. And many are not getting that from USSA skiing. For example, a great J1 skier can take a top five at a Mid-Am over the weekend, but on Monday at school, nobody cares. Meanwhile, a less-accomplished skier can win a high school race and get their name in the paper, a varsity letter at school and the recognition from the class. In my mind, the big question is, ‘How do we give these J1/J2 skiers the recognition they deserve?’ ”
    Rob Worrell, Rocky/Central regional coach: “One reason is cost. A recent Keystone downhill was nearly $1,000 per athlete. The average-income family cannot participate in this sport. Another reason is conflict with school. Ski racing forces athletes to have to miss a lot of school. Most school systems cannot work around a ski racer’s demanding travel schedule. Also, the lack of early success — talented kids with a lack of basic fundamentals to compete at their potential.  Stronger coaching [is needed], where the young athlete needs to be prepared better.”
    Vern Barber, program director at Marquette Mountain: “The latest decision to eliminate a R/C J1/J2 championships will take a huge toll. Many of these racers have been left with nothing to achieve to — there is a lack of a final event. Unfair travel difference for certain regions to these hills [that are homologated as ruled by FIS] that do have FIS men’s status. Before this rule [that ruled out most of the Midwest hills as FIS approved], we had an equal FIS schedule for all regions. In short, we have left our Central program shortchanged to decisions that made sense in Park City but have and will continue to hurt our Central program.”

    With much controversy on this issue, many solutions are being discussed and goals toward more senior involvement will allow numbers to remain high and talent to keep infiltrating the U.S. race scene.
    E-mail thoughts and comments to hlund@skiracing.com. Check out the SR Forums section of skiracing.com to post your own ideas.