Photo: Tucker Marshall
Policy Aims to Encourage Development Over Results at U14 and Younger Competitions
Information provided by Joe Paul, SSWSC U14 Head Coach and Health of Sport Chairperson and Darlene Nolting, RockyCentral Regional Development Director
U.S. Ski & Snowboard may soon adopt a national policy that eliminates real-time live-timing during races where all competitors are U14 or younger. Athletes, families, and coaches will still receive full timing information shortly after each run is completed. First tested in the Rocky Mountain Division (RMD), the proposal earned broad support and passed at the subcommittee level. The Alpine Competition Committee will review it for possible ratification at the May 2025 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Congress.
This shift does not apply to events where U14 athletes race alongside U16 or older competitors. Those mixed-age races will continue to use traditional live-timing.
From Race Results to Race Experience
The RMD implemented the change during the 2024–25 season at two Age Class Open weekends. Race organizers used paper scoreboards instead of live-timing to encourage athletes to focus on what they experienced during their run—rather than comparing themselves instantly to others.
Joe Paul, who serves as Health of Sport Chair and coaches the U14 group at SSWSC, helped lead the proposal. “We want kids to come through the finish and think about their skiing: ‘Did I carry speed where I wanted to?’ ‘Did I execute a new skill I’ve been training?’” Paul said. “Those experiences tell us more than the stopwatch sometimes can.”
Community Response Backs the Change
A post-race survey conducted in the Rocky Mountain and Central regions showed strong support for the approach. Roughly 80% of parents, coaches, and program leaders favored the policy for standalone U14-and-younger events.
Coaches said athletes remained more grounded in the race process and paid closer attention to technique and effort. One coach wrote, “They were actually talking about the course and their turns—not just the time.”
Parents also noticed the shift. Several respondents reported that their children appeared more relaxed and engaged. One parent noted, “Without watching live results, my child focused more on the run and less on the outcome—and had more fun.”
Results Still Delivered Promptly
While live-timing will not run during the race itself, organizers will still share full results digitally—typically through WhatsApp or Live-Timing—shortly after each run.
“We’re not removing results,” Paul explained. “We’re just creating a gap between performance and ranking. That gap lets athletes first think about what happened during their run—not how it compares.”
A National Model in the Making
If approved by the Alpine Competition Committee, the live-timing pause would roll out nationally in 2025–26 for all events where only U14 or younger athletes compete.
Supporters see this as part of a broader shift in youth sports—one that prioritizes development, learning, and joy over early specialization and performance pressure.
“This policy sends a message,” Paul said. “Our goal is to develop thoughtful, motivated skiers who love the sport—and that starts with helping them value the experience, not just the result.””
About the Author: SR Staff Report
