NASTAR questions

[tcharron]

Ok, after conversations in another thread, I looked into NASTAR, and it's interesting, but I DO have some questions, because some of the information doesn't seem very clear cut.

First off, personal scoring. I understand you get placed in a 'handicap' based on your time as compared to the 'par' time for a given course. Clear enough..

But then, how are you 'scored', if your handicap could change with each race? One race I could be a bronze, but the next, silver. Is it as it seems, where the different level handicaps merely divide up the overall standings? Aka, a list of 100 people, Top 25 = gold, 26-50 = silver, etc..? I know it's not strait 25, 25, 25, 25, but generally it would seem since you re qualify as a given handicap for each race, that's how it would turn out anyway..

And what does the team score actually mean? I know it basically ranks the handicap for the team, but cumulatively, what exactly does that mean over the period of many races?

 

[from_the_NEK]

Ok, after conversations in another thread, I looked into NASTAR, and it's interesting, but I DO have some questions, because some of the information doesn't seem very clear cut.

First off, personal scoring. I understand you get placed in a 'handicap' based on your time as compared to the 'par' time for a given course. Clear enough..

But then, how are you 'scored', if your handicap could change with each race? One race I could be a bronze, but the next, silver. Is it as it seems, where the different level handicaps merely divide up the overall standings? Aka, a list of 100 people, Top 25 = gold, 26-50 = silver, etc..? I know it's not strait 25, 25, 25, 25, but generally it would seem since you re qualify as a given handicap for each race, that's how it would turn out anyway..

And what does the team score actually mean? I know it basically ranks the handicap for the team, but cumulatively, what exactly does that mean over the period of many races?

Look here for information about how the medals are awarded.
http://www.nastar.com/index.jsp?pagename=rules#whathandicapchart

 

[tcharron]

Look here for information about how the medals are awarded.
http://www.nastar.com/index.jsp?pagename=rules#whathandicapchart

I read that, and I suspect I understand it, but I don't see how that generates a long term score. It seems like everyone who skis at least 'x' fast gets a medal. Is that the case?

And how are team scores shown over time?

 

[hiroto]

I read that, and I suspect I understand it, but I don't see how that generates a long term score. It seems like everyone who skis at least 'x' fast gets a medal. Is that the case?

And how are team scores shown over time?

Now, onto next reading:
http://www.nastar.com/index.jsp?pagename=rules#rankings

 

[tcharron]

Now, onto next reading:
http://www.nastar.com/index.jsp?pagename=rules#rankings

Ok, but how does that relate to 'points'? If I'm reading this right, at my age group, 30-34, if I complete the run at a time 49% greater then the 'par', I earn 4 points, and 65%, 1.01.

So if I do, say, 57% greater, I get 2 points?

 

[billski]

simple iz as simple duz...

Ok, after conversations in another thread, I looked into NASTAR, and it's interesting, but I DO have some questions, because some of the information doesn't seem very clear cut.

First off, personal scoring. I understand you get placed in a 'handicap' based on your time as compared to the 'par' time for a given course. Clear enough..

But then, how are you 'scored', if your handicap could change with each race? One race I could be a bronze, but the next, silver. Is it as it seems, where the different level handicaps merely divide up the overall standings? Aka, a list of 100 people, Top 25 = gold, 26-50 = silver, etc..? I know it's not strait 25, 25, 25, 25, but generally it would seem since you re qualify as a given handicap for each race, that's how it would turn out anyway..

And what does the team score actually mean? I know it basically ranks the handicap for the team, but cumulatively, what exactly does that mean over the period of many races?

Personal score:
The most important thing to refer to is the handicap chart. It shows team points as well as all the handicap ranges.
http://www.nastar.com/index.jsp?pagename=rules#whathandicapchart

It really is just about as simple as you describe.

There is no limit to the number of medals (p,g,s or bronze) that can be given out.

In fact, you are awarded a medal based on your lowest handicap for a race that day. At some resorts, you actually pick it up when you are done, not when all racers are done.
What this shows is that you are not so much competing against the other people that day, but on what percentage you are from the pacesetters time.

Here are some possbilities that could happen:
a) It is theoretically possible for everyone to get a gold, regardless of your age, gender or level. They could give out 16 plats, 123 golds, 56 silvers and 1432 bronzes for example.
b) It is theoretically possible for all 35-39 year old males in the silver division to get a bronze medal.
c) Medals are given out each time you race (if you qualify!).
d) It is only when you get to Nationals when their is only one plat, gold, silver and bronze given out per age bracket/gender/division.

Not counting nationals, when you look at the overall results for each day (posted that night, your handicap is recalculated during a late night Nastar computer run), you will see individual rankings in for each age/division/gender combinations.
Those could be sorted by resort, by state, or nationally. This shows you how you compare with others in the same age/division/gender.

Yes, of course your handicap changes each race. But the notion is that it is "standardized" (normalized) to the best Olympic racer's time; If the Olympian raced the same course as you. The notion is that you strive to keep reducing the percentage difference ("handicap") between you and the Olympian. Of course you know that, I wanted to complete the thought.

Your best "handicap" of the season is used to rank you (although for State and National they take your 2nd best handicap.) So if you do lousy next race, you don't drop down. Only your best/2nd best counts no matter when during the season.

Teams.
Over many races, it is the combination of the point equivalents for each racer's best handicap received during the season (top 6 (family/friends or 15 club racers. ) It doesn't matter when during the season you got your best handicap.

....

I would encourage you to just go out and do the course, then come home and look at the web for your numbers. It will begin to make sense when you see your own example play out.

If you'd like me to take you through a team example, I'd be happy to do so, but it might be overkill.

 

[billski]

you got it.

Ok, but how does that relate to 'points'? If I'm reading this right, at my age group, 30-34, if I complete the run at a time 49% greater then the 'par', I earn 4 points, and 65%, 1.01.

- That's correct.

So if I do, say, 57% greater, I get 2 points?

Balparking it, I'd say you are correct on this one also. (I didn't do the extrapolation math, did you?)

You got it!