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Rules and Regulations

All aspects of the OFSAA Nordic Skiing Championship are governed by the OFSAA Nordic Skiing Playing Regulations and other OFSAA Policies, By-laws and Constitutional Articles.

Notes on the latest OFSAA Nordic Playing Regulations

  1. Waxing Policy aligned with Canadian standards
    • OFSAA competition is governed by the Nordiq Canada Canadian Competition Rules and the Nordiq Canada Fluoro Wax Policy for Tier 2 Competitions.
    • All High Fluoro (HF), Medium Fluoro (MF), or Low Fluoro (LF) glide waxes, including HF, MF, or LF powders, pucks, blocks and liquids are NOT permitted. All cold-weather powder additives and hardeners containing fluoros are NOT permitted.
    • All skis and potentially contaminated equipment at OFSAA venues should be cleaned of all fluoro products in advance. FIS recommends a thorough deep cleaning.
  2. New Course Distances
    • Male and female athletes will ski the same course, with Junior athletes skiing 5km and Seniors 7km.
  3. Clarification on Start Order Groups
    • There are no requirements or expectations that athletes of a particular ability be placed in certain start order groups.
    • The playing regulations still require that no athlete from the same team be placed in the same start order group.
  4. Update on Uniforms and Equipment
    • Athletes are not to represent sponsors at award ceremonies, or bring equipment to the podium, except as allowed on uniforms by OFSAA by-laws.
    • Athletes are expected to represent their school or association during competition by wearing the appropriate team uniform or race suit, when made available by the school or association.
    • Athletes must remain clothed at all times, and while at any competition venues may only disrobe in change rooms or washrooms — never in public spaces.
    • Race bibs are not clothing, and require a top be worn with them at all times.
    • No club, provincial, or national team clothing, uniforms or insignia for any sport are allowed at OFSAA, and should be left at home. Covering, taping, turning clothing inside out, or otherwise modifying items to hide insignia is not sufficient.
  5. Divisions and Classifications
    • Athletes that have only ever skied for their High School team are eligible for the High School Division, while most others should be registered in the Open Division.
    • Divisions only effect results for the Individual Distance races.
    • Teams can be made up of any mix of Open and High School Division athletes, but must be from the same school, gender, and age classification.
    • Association Championship results require gender (Male or Female), classification (Junior or Senior), and division (Open or High School) in order to determine OFSAA qualification.
  6. Teams
    • If 4 or 5 athletes qualify as a team at your Association Championship, the same 4 or 5 athletes must register as a team for OFSAA with no substitutions at the time of registration. The Playing Regulations outline how substitutions can happen at the Championship event, if necessary.
    • If your Association qualifies teams of only 4 at your Championship, be sure to select a 5th eligible skier and have your Association Convenor register them as part of the team. The 5th skier will be able to compete as an individual and will provide an alternate for the team in case a substitution is necessary at the Championship event.
  7. Eligibility
    • OFSAA’s aims and objectives centre around School Sport. If you have a club, provincial, national or otherwise elite athlete that wants to compete at OFSAA then they must be a legitimate and participating member of your school team, and not just parachuted in for key competitions. Please help these athletes contribute to your high school team by actively including them while ensuring they participate at the majority of your high school team practices, and represent their high school team at 2 races before the association championship.
    • Plan to attend extra races to allow for weather cancellations, illness, and absences.
    • Any inter-school competition with recorded results can be deemed a race, if it involves Nordic skiing or roller skiing. It doesn’t require professional timing, set formats or distances, or hosting more than one other school.
    • Only practices directly supervised by a teacher certified for the job by the school principal count toward eligibility, but practices need not involve skiing. Practices can include skiing, running, roller skiing, bounding, yoga, strength training, tactics discussions, etc.
    • If your Association Championship leaves extra individuals beyond the top 6, or teams beyond the top 2 out of the running for OFSAA, but your Association feels there are mitigating circumstances that would justify their inclusion, the OFSAA Convenor may allow their registration, if they meet all other eligibility requirements and the event has space.
  8. Banquet and Social
    • All team members are required to attend the banquet and social.
    • No jeans, shorts, tank tops, or hats are permitted.
    • Attire should be business dress casual unless the Event Organizing Committee assigns a theme to the banquet that allows for costumes, though many athletes choose to dress semi-formal.
  9. Protests
    • If there is any chance you would file a protest, you should have the protest form printed and $50 in your pocket for the required deposit.
    • Protest forms and deposits must be submitted within 30 minutes of the incident, or of completion of the specific race where the incident occurred.