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January 2023

January 14 & 15 are Besh Cup races 3 & 4 at GPRA. Click "Register Here" on the menu bar to register or visit Besh 3 & 4 information page for weekend information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 2022

Registration for the ConocoPhillips Besh Cup races opens November 1. Check back here to REGISTER on November 1 or look for "Register Here" link above on the menu on that date. You should confirm your entry was completed by looking at this "Current Entries" link. See below for racing information or here for schedule.

 

For the first time in over 10 years, CCAK has increased the registration fees for U14 and older races.

Entry Fees: U16 and up - $45  | U14 - $30 | U08/U10/U12 - $5

  • Registration for each race weekend closes at midnight on the Wednesday prior to each weekend

  • Racers in the U16 category and older who register for all six races by November 30, get one free race.

  • Racers who register for all six races and all youth racers in the U08/U10/U12 categories (regardless of number of races entered) will receive a T-shirt.

 

Besh Cup Racing Schedule (click for printable schedule)

  • December 17/18 - Kincaid Park, hosted by Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage

    • Saturday Interval Classic / Sunday Mass Freestyle

  • January 14/15 - Government Peak Recreational Area, hosted by MatSu Ski Club

    • Saturday Sprint Classic / Sunday Interval Freestyle

  • February 4/5 - Birch Hill Recreational Area, hosted by Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks

    • Saturday Sprint Freestyle / Sunday Mass Classic

August 2022 - READ THIS TOO!

The 2023 Cross Country Alaska ski season is around the corner!
Watch the CCAK Website and Facebook page for upcoming information but in the meantime please take a moment to register for your US Ski & Snowboard license. All competitors in Besh Cup races are required to have a valid USS&S license. Rates increase October 15, 2022.


VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU TURN 18 BEFORE JUNE 30, 2023
Skiers whose birth years are 2005 and earlier must complete SafeSport, Avalanche Awareness, and register for a Background Check prior to competing in any US Ski & Snowboard events. US Ski & Snowboard does not allow for any exceptions for skiers without valid licenses at time of competition. Meeting these requirements may take two to four weeks, so do not put this off until the week of registering for Besh Cup races.

 

Are you also a ski jumper? Athletes who have a ski jumping license should contact US Ski & Snowboard directly at 435-647-2666 to link their Jumping and Nordic licenses so points are accumulated correctly.


Besh Cup Racing Schedule

  • December 17/18 - Kincaid Park, hosted by Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage

    • Saturday Interval Classic / Sunday Mass Freestyle

  • January 14/15 - Government Peak Recreational Area, hosted by MatSu Ski Club

    • Saturday Sprint Classic / Sunday Interval Freestyle

  • February 4/5 - Birch Hill Recreational Area, hosted by Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks

    • Saturday Sprint Freestyle / Sunday Mass Classic
       

Registration will open November 1, 2022

  • Registration for each race weekend closes at midnight on the Wednesday prior to each weekend

  • ​Racers in the U16 category and older who register for all six races by November 30, get one free race.

  • If you are 18 or turn 18 during the season, you need to complete SafeSport & complete a background check with US Ski & Snowboard to be eligible to compete in Besh Cup races.

  • Only racers with valid licenses are eligible to compete in Besh Cup races. It is the responsibility of the racers to have valid licenses on race day.

  • Race day registration is not available. US Ski & Snowboard requires adult racers to complete SafeSport training and pass a background check. Therefore, adult skiers need to allow between one and two weeks prior to race weekend to meet the US Ski & Snowboard license requirements. Cross Country Alaska wants you to be able to participate; so please plan accordingly to meet the US Ski & Snowboard license requirement.

  • Racers who register for all six races and all youth racers in the U08/U10/U12 categories (regardless of number of races entered) will receive a T-shirt.

 

Team Alaska Qualification Opportunities

2023 Arctic Winter Games
Wood Buffalo, Alberta (Fort McMurray)
Depart January 27 or 28 - Return February 5

  • The AWG dates are earlier than usual and the teams will be selected based on the results after the first weekend of Besh Cup racing.

  • Team Alaska will be comprised of 3 female and 3 male athletes of each age group (U14, U16, U18).

  • AWG and Junior Nationals Championships do not overlap, therefore, athletes are eligible to attend both events. Please note, however, that the dates of AWG conflict with Besh 5 & 6 which are the final qualification opportunities for making Team Alaska for Junior Nationals Championships.

  • Please review the US Ski & Snowboard license requirements for Team Alaska AWG.

  • If you intend to try out for AWG, you will need to have a current US Passport valid at the time you accept the position on the team.


Fairbanks, Alaska - Birch Hill
March 11 - 16, 2023

  • The Junior Nationals Championships will consist of three events with an abbreviated schedule: interval, sprint, and mass start.

  • Race days are Monday-Tuesday-Thursday (March 13, 14, 16).

  • All competitors at USS&S Junior Nationals Championships must have a valid USS&S license to compete.

FIS License

Please talk to your coach if you are wondering about the need for an FIS license. In FIS-scored races, those with FIS licenses have priority seeding over those without an FIS license. FIS licenses are generally only necessary for U18 and older skiers.

The following Besh Cup races will be FIS-scored races:

  • Besh Cup 1 & 2 - Anchorage

  • Besh Cup 5 & 6 - Fairbanks

International teams (U18, World Juniors, U23)

 

  • Current Criteria for Junior/U23 World Championships (not updated by US Ski & Snowboard as of 9/1/2022)

  • Naming will be managed by US Ski & Snowboard

  • Positions on these teams are based on performance at the US Nationals held in January 2023

Coaching Opportunities
Arctic Winter Games

Team Alaska is filling four coaching positions for the 2023 Arctic Winter Games to be held in Wood Buffalo, Alberta (Fort McMurray)
Dates: Depart January 27 or 28 - Return February 5
Qualifications:

  • Must possess a current US Ski & Snowboard license (or complete the licensing process within 14 days of being named to coaching staff)*

  • Must have experience coaching and directing youth athletes

  • Must have excellent communication skills (expect much pre-event communication with Team Alaska, CCAK, parents and athletes)

  • Helpful to have experience coaching in traveling situations, logistics, and managing co-ed groups

  • Must have a current US Passport

Deadline to apply

September 18, 2022
Submit application and cover letter to Lauri Bassett - info@crosscountryalaska.org
The CCAK coaching application can be downloaded from the Cross Country Alaska website.

In accordance with Arctic Winter Games coaching requirements, two female coaches and two male coaches will be named to coach the 2023 Team Alaska Cross Country Ski Team. Being named to the AWG coaching staff will not preclude coaches from also coaching at Junior Nationals. This year the events do not overlap.

*obtaining a USSS license includes completing SafeSport training and completing a background check

 

US Ski & Snowboard Junior Nationals

Team Alaska is filling one Head Coach/Team Leader position for the 2023 US Ski & Snowboard Junior Nationals Championships to be held in Fairbanks, Alaska
Dates: Depart March 9 or 10 - Return March 16 or 17

Qualifications:

  • Must possess a current US Ski & Snowboard license

  • Must have experience coaching and directing youth athletes

  • Must have experience coaching in traveling situations, logistics, and managing co-ed groups

Deadline to apply

September 18, 2022
Submit application and cover letter to Lauri Bassett - info@crosscountryalaska.org
The CCAK coaching application can be downloaded from the
Cross Country Alaska website.

Team Alaska is filling 11 staff coach positions for the 2023 US Ski & Snowboard Junior Nationals Championships to be held in Fairbanks, Alaska
Dates: Depart March 9 or 10 - Return March 16 or 17

Qualifications:

  • Must possess a current US Ski & Snowboard license (or complete the licensing process within 14 days of being named to coaching staff)*

  • Must have experience coaching and directing youth athletes

  • Helpful to have experience coaching in traveling situations, logistics, and managing co-ed groups

Deadline to apply

November 1, 2022
Submit application and cover letter to Lauri Bassett - info@crosscountryalaska.org
The CCAK coaching application can be downloaded from the
Cross Country Alaska website.

*obtaining a USSS license includes completing SafeSport training and completing a background check

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

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