NASTAR
What is Nastar?
Developed by SKI Magazine in 1968, NASTAR (NAtional STAndard Race) is the largest recreational ski and snowboard race program in the world. Their mission is simple - to provide a fun, competitive and easily accessible racing program that, through the development of a handicap system, allows racers of all ages and abilities a means to compare their race results to other competitors across the country regardless of when and where they race.
What is a Nastar Handicap?
Each time a participant races a Nastar course, they earn a handicap that represents their ability. Picabo Street is the Nastar National Pacesetter. As a result, Picabo establishes in theory the par time for each Nastar race course in the country. As the Nastar National Pacesetter, Picabo races with a zero handicap.
Your handicap is the difference between your race time and Picabo Street’s time expressed as a percentage. It’s not as confusing as it sounds. As we said, if you are a 15 handicap, you are 15% slower than Picabo Street. One more thing, physically challenged racers, telemarkers and snowboarders are eligible to receive handicap discounts. These discounts are only used for rewarding medals.
Can You Explain Nastar Rankings?
Depending on the number of times an individual races Nastar, participants will receive a Resort, State and National ranking in their age and gender category.
Resort - Participants receive a resort ranking from each resort where they race Nastar. Only one race is required to receive a resort ranking and the ranking is based on a participant’s best handicap. Resort rankings are also used to qualify competitors for the Charles Schwab Nastar National Championships at Beaver Creek.
State - Nastar racers are also ranked in their state of residence based the best result on their second best race day of the season. Two Nastar races on two different days are required to qualify for state rankings.
National - To be ranked nationally, participants must race in five Nastar races on five different days. The lowest and highest of a participant’s best five handicaps are dropped and the remaining three handicaps are averaged to determine a national ranking.
Special - Physically challenged racers, telemarkers and snowboarders are ranked based on their single best handicap of the season with only one race required to receive a ranking.
Remember, only the best race of the day will count towards Nastar rankings.
