IWSF 2005 Elite Rankings

The ranking methodolgy is based on the system used by the Professional
Slalom Skiers Association(PASS) and developed by Mark Crone.  This system
was used for the 2000 World Cup Ranking in slalom.  The basic system was
modified to make it more appropriate for world wide use.  It was used 
successfully for 2003 and 2004 and it will continue on to 2005.


IWSF Elite Ranking Concepts


Key Concepts

1 Tournament points
Each tournament will be assigned a certain number of points.  The
points will be based on three concepts as follows:
a) 10 points for each $1000 USD of prize money on a per event basis
b) Title points assigned per IWSF TC decision.

World Championships  300 points men, 200 points women


c) Athlete points
The system of athlete points shall be determined as follows:
Based on the 2004 Elite Rankings, the top
15 athletes in each discipline shall be asigned point
values based on their placing.  The number 1 athlete 
will be assigned 37.5 points and each succeeding place
shall be 2.5 points less according to the following schedule:
1	37.5		6	25		11	12.5	 
2	35		7	22.5		12	10
3	32.5		8	20		13	7.5
4	30		9	17.5		14	5
5	27.5		10	15		15	2.5

The points from these three categories shall be totaled to give the final
tournament point value.

2. Awarding points by placement
Points shall be awarded based on placement and number of skiers in an event
and the total tournament points according to a formula.  The PASSPoints 
spreadsheet shows the percentage of points awarded for each place based on the size 
of the entry.

Points Chart
3. Skier Point totals

We will use a set number of your tournament scores.  After each tournament you go to,
your points will be added in.  The number of tournaments will be set for each
event and be no more than 50% of the regular status Elite Events.
If we add tournaments during the season, that will
not change the the number of tournaments that will be scored.  So, for example,
if we declare that since there are 11 men slalom events we will use the top 5.
If later, we add one event, it will still be the top 5.

For 2005 the following schedule will apply:
Men Slalom - top 5 tournaments
Women Slalom - 4
Men Tricks - 4
Women Tricks - 3
Men Jump - 4
Women Jump - 3
(This will be confirmed after the final schedule is published)

I have made these numbers a little lower than 50% based on the fact that although
there are a few more tournaments, many of them have restricted entry

The points will just be added cumulatively as received.
This means that points will be added for each tournament that you score in
up until you reach the maximum number of scores (5 in our men slalom example).
Then, if you go to more tournaments, your top 5 will be used so that your point
total will only change if your points score exceeds your 5th best score which
would then be dropped.


4. 2005 Starting basis
The 2005 Rankings shall start at zero using
the 2004 Elite Rankings for athlete values.

5. Tournament Selection
Tournaments shall be selected by the IWSF TC based on several factors
as follows:
a) Automatic selection of the title tournaments per item 1
b) Automatic selection of cash prize tournaments with sufficent purse
c) Selection of "introductory" Elite tournaments

Naturally all tournaments must be sanctioned by their IWSF 
affiliated National Governing Body.

For 2005, the following tournaments appear to be qualified so far

1. Moomba 
2. SkyView Women Slalom 
3. Masters 
4. Malibu Open 
5. US Open 
6. French Masters (not confirmed)
7. IWSF World Championships
8. All World Cup stops
9. Lake Crichton Pro-Am - NZE
10. Tige San Deigo
11. Norway Jump Challenge 
12. Princes Pro Am Princes
13. Liquid Leasure London


The rest to be determined per the IWSF TC.  An updated schedule will
be available at www.iwsfranking.com

Tournament organizers who feel that their tournament may qualify
are encouraged to apply to the IWSF TC for approval as an Elite Ranking
Tournament.

Apply to bcorson@comcast.net


6. Rankings Publication
The ranking points totals shall be published on iwsfranking.com.  
The top 20 places (30 in men slalom) will 
constitute the rankings.  The ranking points will be published after each
qualified tournament is completed.  This is, of course, based on
results availibility.  Each qualifying tournament should post
their results on iwsf.com.  The full list of points and calculation
spreadsheet will be publically available in iwsfranking.com
Each skiers official "Ranking" for the year 2005 can only be
determined after all events are completed.

7. Ranking List Name
The Ranking List shall be entitled the "IWSF Elite Skier Rankings".

8 World Cup
There again will be a World Cup in 2005.  This will run
in parallel with the Elite Rankings.  All World Cup stops qualify for 
Elite Rankings.  The World Cup will be scored in a similar fashion, but 
will be separate from the rankings so that the World Cup winner may not
be the #1 Elite skier although there will probably be a close parallel.
(Note: a sentence referring to a fixed number of points per World Cup stop was
erroneously left in this document - I have removed it.  There will be no change 
from 2004 regarding World Cup points)

Addendum April 7, 2005
Discription of Introductory Tournaments (already distributed but it
should be here for reference)

Under the guidance of the Athletes Advisory Committee, this year we are trying 
to encourage the introduction and development of Elite Tournaments. One of the 
barriers has been the minimum purse level. As a trial, we are instituting a program 
as an "introductory" offer to new tournaments where they can gain Elite status 
at a lower purse level given that they will progress and in two years be at the 
new standard levels. This translates in to the following schedule: 
2005 Mens Event $5000 USD minimum, Womens Event $3000 USD 
2006 Mens Event $8500 USD minimum, Womens Event $6000 USD 
2007 Mens Event $12000 USD minimum, Womens Event $9000 USD

The current standards are $10000/6000.

There are two other aspects that are of concern and relavent to this issue. 
The first is the number of tournaments used for the final calculation of Elite Ranking. 
This is based on 50% of the number of Elite tournaments. Introductory tournaments will 
not be used as part of the total. Also last year we changed from being exactly 50% to 
being based on 50% so that it is 50% or lower. This is due to the World Cup tournament 
series which has well qualified prize money but limited access. So the exact numbers 
will be determined after the schedule is set. 
The second issue is that the initial feeling might be that you are being required to 
go to some tournament where there is reduced prize money to get points. That is not the 
intention at all. Since there is reduced prize money, the points will also be reduced 
so that you gain less by going, but if you do not go there should not be any impact. 
If there are 6 Elite Regular Events and 2 introductory events, your final score will be 
based on 3 events. So if you go to half of the regular events there most likely will be 
no need to go to the introductory events unless you find it convienent. The principle is 
that the events should have to attract you with prize money. It is not the intent of the 
program to compell you to go.