Wasatch Citizens Series
The Wasatch Citizens Series (WCS) ski races have been Utah's premier nordic
skiing events since 1979. When the US Ski Team moved its coaching staff to
Park City in the 1980's, the WCS became a training ground for many of the
country's top skiers. The Park City Nordic and The Utah Nordic Alliance ski
teams have launched several young athletes to national recognition, and some
of our older participants have consistently won National Masters titles.
Members of recent U.S. Olympic Teams, Laura McCabe, Wendy Wagner, and Rosie
Brennan, began their skiing careers in our races.
The WCS consists of five events held each year at the major cross country ski areas along the Wasatch Front and Back. Two classic technique and three free technique races are included, some with interval and some with wave starts, to provide the balance local athletes need to prepare for national and international competition.
In addition to our 20 age categories for each gender, the WCS includes shorter distance recreational/novice classes for adults and children, to encourage beginners to get involved in the sport. There are also expert (Open) classes, for University and US Ski Team skiers and those who wish to compete at that level, as well as Open50+ classes for skiers over 50 who wish to race the full distance and start with the Open group. Disabled athletes are welcome to enter our sitski classes. Awards are given to the top three finishers in each of these groups at each race. Participants' ages typicaly range from less than 5 to more than 80, and many families regularly attend the races.
Points are awarded to each racer according to finish place in their class. (Details of WCS scoring is explained below.) Points are accumulated over the entire season, and special prizes are awarded to the top three skiers in each class. To see points lists for the current and past winters, click here. To see results for the current and past winters, click here.
In 2013 Bruce Schroeder suggested that we create an award for all those who have participated in at least 100 Wasatch Citizens Series races. At that time we knew of 10 skiers who had done that many WCS events. Since limited data is available for the years before 1986, there probably were more than that. If anyone has information from the late 70's or early 80's, please let Dave Hanscom know. Click here to see the a list of the top 50 WCS partipants.
In past years various local retailers have acted as individual event sponsors: White Pine, Wild Rose, REI, and Wasatch Touring. An energy bar has been donated by Clif Bar for each of our participants at each race. Due to COVID restrictions, we won't be serving lunch at our races until further notice.
A number of companies have provided products that are given out after the races by random drawing: Alpina (boots, gear), Atomic (skis, boots, poles, gear), Chums (accessories), Fischer (poles, gear), Jan's (ski grinding), Kuhl (clothing), Madshus (boots, poles, gear), Rossignol (gear), Salomon (skis, boots, poles, gear), Scheels (gift certificates), SportHill (clothing), Swix (wax, ski poles, gear), Toko (wax, clothing), Ultimate Direction (packs), and Wild Rose (ski grinding).
Race Schedule
The WCS races during the 2024/2025 winter are planned as follows:
| date | technique(distance) | location |
|---|---|---|
| POSTPONED - new date TBD | classic (5/10k wave start) | White Pine Farm |
| Sat,Jan 4 | free (5/10k wave start) | Soldier Hollow |
| Sat,Jan 25 | classic (5/10k interval start) | Mountain Dell |
| Sat,Feb 22 | free (5/10k interval start) | Mountain Dell |
| Sat,Mar 8 | free (7/20k wave start) | White Pine Farm |
The schedule for most all races in Utah and vicinity that are popular with local cross country skiers can be found here. For more information about cross country ski racing in Utah, check The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) website, or send email to me at hanscom 'at' cs 'dot' utah 'dot' edu.
Registration
There is no day of race registration for WCS events. To purchase your season or individual race pass, go to the TUNA online store. All participants in TUNA programs must have signed the online waiver. To do that, simply click on the link at the bottom of the TUNA webpage..
A season pass costs $125 for adult members of The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA), $175 for adult non-members, and $50 for all kids 19 and under. There is a special rate for adult skiers who choose to ski in our Recreational/Novice Class, which go shorter distances. That group can purchase a season pass for $75 (TUNA members) and $100 (non-members). The entry fee for individual events is $40 for adult TUNA members, $50 for adult non-members, $27 for member Rec/Nov, $36 for non-members, and $15 for all juniors.
Lycra bibs are handed out at each event, starting 90 minutes before and ending 30 minutes before the start, at a designated location. In order to be assigned a race bib, skiers have to sign up on the TUNA website at least 2 days in advance of their first event (season pass holders) or of each event for those who choose to enter individual races.
Information is posted in the registration area relative to the course and approximate start time for each class.
Race Rules
A skier who overtakes another on the track must go around the slower skier. No "tracking" is allowed in Wasatch Citizens Series races. In classic technique events, at least two tracks are available around the entire course wherever possible. In all events, slower racers should stay as far to the right as possible to allow faster skiers to pass. Intentional interference with another racer will be cause for disqualification. Complaints should be taken to the Wasatch Citizens Series race director.
It is the responsibility of each skier to be at the start on time. A racer who is late for the start will not receive any time adjustment.
The Wasatch Citizens Series is a non-fluro event. The WCS does not allow or encourage the use of fluorinated waxes. Fluorinated waxes have been banned from the highest levels of competition for environmental and health reasons. The Wasatch Citizens Series supports this effort.
A special drawing for skis and other valuable prizes takes place at the final event. In order to be eligible for the ski drawing, and to be eligible for a special participation prize that is awarded at the end of the season, a skier must participate in four or more events, or purchase a season pass.
Racer Classes and Distances
Wasatch Citizens Series racers are divided into 28 classes for men and 28 for women as shown below. Most of these are age groups. The others are called Recreational or Novice (for those who are just learning to race, or who only want to ski a shorter distance), Open (for advanced racers of all ages), Open50+ (for skiers over 50 who wish to race the full distance and start with the Open group), and SitSkier. Current and recent University and US Ski Team skiers are required to ski in the Open class. The table shows approximate distances for each class. The JN class is a fun "obstacle course" for kids 7 and under who do not wish to "race".
The "age" of a skier is that on December 31 of the current winter.
| MALE | | | FEMALE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| CLASS | AGE | DISTANCE | | | CLASS | AGE | DISTANCE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MJN | 7 and under | "obstacle course" | | | FJN | 7 and under | "obstacle course" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MU8 | 5-7 | 1 km | | | FU8 | 5-7 | 1 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MU10 | 8-9 | 1 km | | | FU10 | 8-9 | 1 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MU12 | 10-11 | 2 km | | | FU12 | 10-11 | 2 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MU14 | 12-13 | 3 km | | | FU14 | 12-13 | 3 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MU16 | 14-15 | 5-7 km | | | FU16 | 14-15 | 5-7 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MU18 | 16-17 | 5-15 km | | | FU18 | 16-17 | 5-10 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MU20 | 18-19 | 5-15 km | | | FU20 | 18-19 | 5-10 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MOpen | any age | 10-20 km | | | FOpen | any age | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MOpen50+ | 50 and older | 10-20 km | | | FOpen50+ | 50 and older | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M20 | 20-24 | 10-20 km | | | F20 | 20-24 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M25 | 25-29 | 10-20 km | | | F25 | 25-29 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M30 | 30-34 | 10-20 km | | | F30 | 30-34 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M35 | 35-39 | 10-20 km | | | F35 | 35-39 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M40 | 40-44 | 10-20 km | | | F40 | 40-44 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M45 | 45-49 | 10-20 km | | | F45 | 45-49 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M50 | 50-54 | 10-20 km | | | F50 | 50-54 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M55 | 55-59 | 10-20 km | | | F55 | 55-59 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M60 | 60-64 | 10-20 km | | | F60 | 60-64 | 10-20 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M65 | 65-69 | 10-15 km | | | F65 | 65-69 | 10-15 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M70 | 70-74 | 5-8 km | | | F70 | 70-74 | 5-8 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M75 | 75-79 | 5-8 km | | | F75 | 75-79 | 5-8 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M80 | 80 and older | 5-8 km | | | F80 | 80 and older | 5-8 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MRec/Nov | any age | 5-8 km | | | FRec/Nov | any age | 5-8 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MSitSkier | any age | 1-4 km | | | FSitSkier | any age | 1-4 km | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Race Starting Order
The youngest juniors (15 and under) and sit skiers complete their races before any other classes start. The JN skiers can start any time they wish and ski through the obstacle course as many times as they wish.
Some WCS races use interval starts. In these events, there is no pre-assigned start time, but skiers are encouraged to line up in the approximate order of classes listed below. Intervals between racers is approximately 15 seconds.
Other races use wave starts that consist of one or more classes separated by one to three minutes. The waves and starting order of racer classes are usually as follows:
| YOUNGSTERS & SIT SKIERS | OTHERS |
|---|---|
| 1 - MU16,FU16 | 6 - MOpen,FOpen,MO50+,FO50+,MU18,FU18,MU20,FU20 |
| 2 - MU14,FU14 | 7 - M20,M25,M30,M35,M40,M45 |
| 3 - MU12,FU12 | 8 - M50,M55,M60,M65 |
| 4 - MU08,FU08,MU10,FU10 | 9 - F20,F25,F30,F35,F40,F45,F50,F55,F60,F65 |
| 5 - MSitSkier,FSitSkier | 10 - M70,F70,M75,F75,M80,F80,MRec/Nov,FRec/Nov |
Scoring Procedure
Points are awarded to each racer according to finish place in the class as shown below. Points are accumulated over the entire season, and special prizes are awarded to the top three skiers in each class. To see points lists for the current and past winters, click here.
Only the best four results are counted for each skier. Results of a fifth race, if available, are used only to break ties. A skier must participate in at least three races to qualify for seasonal awards.
We recommend that recreational/novice racers move into the appropriate age group if his or her per-kilometer time is within 10% of the third place finisher in that group. When moving into an age class, a rec/nov keeps only the points from the single best rec/nov finish. No other class change carries any points.
Racers are only allowed to change classes one time. Once a racer moves to a new class, they must stay there for the remainder of the winter.
| PLACE | POINTS | | | PLACE | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | | | 11 | 10 |
| 2 | 28 | | | 12 | 9 |
| 3 | 26 | | | 13 | 8 |
| 4 | 24 | | | 14 | 7 |
| 5 | 22 | | | 15 | 6 |
| 6 | 20 | | | 16 | 5 |
| 7 | 18 | | | 17 | 4 |
| 8 | 16 | | | 18 | 3 |
| 9 | 14 | | | 19 | 2 |
| 10 | 12 | | | 20 or higher | 1 |