Rules

Each sport in the Winter Games has rules specific to the sport; listed below are rules that apply to all athletes that participate in the Winter Games:

• No past or present professionals will be eligible to compete in the sport in which he/she was a professional.
• Athletes may compete in only one division in the Winter Games. If an athlete enters as a Masters Division competitor in one sport, he/she must compete as a Masters in all sports.
• All who wish to march in the 'Parade of Athletes' at Opening Ceremonies must wear the 2012 ESWG official clothing, and present the 2012 ESWG Credential (distributed at athlete check-in).
• All participants are required to adhere to the highest levels of sportsmanship while competing in the Empire State Games. 

Skier Boarder Cross/Slopestyle

Ski & Snowboard

General Info - Events will take place at WhitefaceMountain and will be

conducted by the New York Ski Educational Foundation(NYSEF)in accordance

with USASA rules.

All competitors must FIRST register for their sport bycontacting Mike Kirchner, Competition Director, at mikek@nysef.org. After receiving confirmation you may proceed to

"General" ESG registration atwww.empirestatewintergames.com .

Training passes are required for all competitors andmay be purchased at the

NYSEF Uihlein Training Center upon onsite check-in.

There will be three age/competition groups perdiscipline and gender broken

down into the following: 16 male & 8 female ineach group - ages 13-15,

16-18, & Open.

Qualifying criteria- All participants must be currentmembers of one of the

United States of America Snowboard Association(USASA)regions within New

York State (Catskills, Western New York, orAdirondack). New York State

residency is no longer required.

Athletes who took place in the 2010 Games will beeligible to register on or

before December 31, 2011 in either or both disciplinesbeginning December

1st.

Open registration for all others will take place fromJanuary 1, 2012

through midnight EST on January 18, 2012 or untilquotas are filled.

Competition Schedule & Formats -

Thursday Feb 2nd - Cross Course & Slopestyle Openfor Public Training

Friday Feb 3rd - Official Cross Practice Day (closedcourse) - Open Slopestyle

Training

Saturday Feb 4th - Cross Time Trials and Finals(ski/snb) - Open

Slopestyle Training

Sunday Feb 5th - Slopestyle Finals(ski/snb)

Cross timetrials will consist of one timed run to seed for finals -

all heats will consist of a maximum of four athletes on course, single

elimination - Semi-Final winners advance to Finals,losers to Consolation

Final

Slopestyle format will be best of two runs

For more information contact mikek@nysef.org 

 Speed Skating

CLICK HERE

Womens Ice Hockey

Conducted by NYS Amateur Hockey, this competition will consist of open division teams. Athletes are responsible for their own transportation and lodging and must provide their own equipment.

Athletes are required to complete the registration form and attend a regional Ice Hockey Try Out; see regional list on registration form.

TRY OUT SCHEDULE:

Plattsburg-January 15, 2012 at 4:00 @ the AC North Rink

Adirondack - Dec, 17, 2011 at 12:15 pm at Union College
Central - Dec 28, 2011 at7:30 to 8:45 pm at the Cicero Twin Rinks, Route 11, Cicero, NY
Hudson Valley - January 8, 15,22, & 29 2012 at10:15 pm at the Brewster Ice Arena, 63 Fields Lame, Brewster, NY
Long Island - Nov 26 at 6:50 to 8:20 pm, and Dec 10 6:50 to 8:45 pm at Dix Hills Ice Skating Rink
NYC - Dec 22 and 28 at 7:00pm Chelsea Piers
Western NY -Nov 27, 2011 9:15 to 10:15 am at Nicols School, Dec 10 4:00 to 5:30 pm at North Buffalo Rink on Tacoma 

XC SKIING

cross country skiing

Cross Country Skiing in the EmpireState Winter Games is a combination of competitive skiing with a"friendly" atmosphere. Qualifying Skiers will race in two racesduring the ESWG weekend in Lake Placid, competing on the world famous skitrails of Mt. Van Hoevenberg.
The events are conducted by the New York State Ski Racing Association, NordicDivision (NYSSRA-Nordic), which schedules qualifying races and administers apoints list whereby athletes qualify for the finals of the Winter Games.Additional information is available at the NYSSRA-Nordic website (www.nyssranordic.com)
Athletes must be New York State Residents or have status as a full time studentin a NY state college/university.
Membership in the New York State Ski Racing Association, Nordic Division isrequired.
Division ages are: (for the 2012 Winter Games ages are as of December 31, 2011)Scholastic: Age 12 but no older than age 17;Open: Age 18 and older;Masters: 10age groups (M1 – M10) as outlined on the NYSSRA-Nordic website. The first agegroup begins at age 30.
Athletes who wish to qualify for this event must meet the age rules notedabove, and must compete in qualifying races conducted by NYSSRA-Nordic toattain points throughout the season. The top 60 male/female in the ScholasticDivision points list, and the top 40 male/female in the Open Division pointslist will qualify to compete in the finals in Lake Placid. Masters Divisioncompetitors that meet the qualifying rules as outlined on the NYSSRA-Nordicwebsite will qualify for the finals in Lake Placid.
Contact Larry Wilkinson @ 315-797-9341. e-mail: nordic@roadrunner.comwebsite: www.nyssranordic.com 

Ski Orienteering

Need to pre-register, need experience with orienteering and with competitive Nordic skiing, but no qualifiers.

2011-2012 Rules for Ski Orienteering Qualifying and Points

Thereare significant changes from last year. Please read the following carefully.

1. There are twelve competitive classes - six ageclasses with separate divisions for men and women. The age classes are:

16 and under (-16)18 and under (-18)19 and over (19+)40 and over (40+)55 and over (55+) and 70 and over (70+)

Age is determined as of December 31, 2012.

2. All Orienteering USA (OUSA) rules governing thesport of Ski Orienteering shall apply at all qualifiers, ESWG, and NYSSRA -Nordic Championship Ski-O events.

EMPIRESTATE WINTER GAMES

1. There will be no limit in the numbers of SkiOrienteering participants for the ESWG in the 2011 - 2012 season.

2. Any athlete may compete in the ESWG provided (s)hehas completed any yellow (or more challenging) orienteering course and hascompleted a Nordic ski competitive event (e.g. ski orienteering, nordic skiing, biathlon) since February 3, 2011.

3. Any athlete must pre-register for the ESWG prior tothe deadline to compete.

4. Season ranking points earned at ESWGs will bedoubled in NYSSRA - Nordic's points tabulation. 

Biathlon

REGISTRATRATION CLOSES JANUARY 29, 2012
Think of blending the heart pounding, muscle throbbing exertion of racing up the stairs to the top of a tall building with the total focus and delicate precision of a watchmaker and you have an idea of the challenge that a biathlete must surmount. This event begins with a cross country ski race before the contestant must stop, recover, and compose themselves to shoot at targets at the shooting range. For each target missed, the athlete must ski a penalty loop before starting the next part of the event. It is a very unique sport for some very unique athletes.

The events are conducted by the New York State Ski Racing Association, Nordic Division (NYSSRA-Nordic), which schedules qualifying races and administers a points list whereby athletes qualify for the finals of the Winter Games. Additional information is available at the NY biathlon web site at: http://nybiathlon.org/blog. Male and Female athletes compete in the Boy/Girl, Youth, Junior Senior, Masters, Grand Masters, and Novice Divisions.
Division ages are: (for the 2012 Winter Games ages are as of December 31, 2011)
Boy/Girl: Age 13 -16
Youth: Age 17- 18
Junior: Age 19 - 20
Senior: Age 21 - 39
Master: Age 40 – 49
Grand Master: Age 50 and older.
Novice: First year in sport

Athletes who wish to qualify for this event must meet the age rules noted above, and also:
- Be New York State resident or a full time student enrolled in a New York State school.- Be a current member of NYSSRA-Nordic, a NY Biathlon Club, and the USBA – Have previously completed a biathlon race. -Meet any other eligibility rules with regard to safety qualifications as outlined for Biathlon in the NYSSRA-Nordic manual and Website.-
For more information visit the NY biathlon web site at: http://nybiathlon.org/blog/ or contact Nick Gretzinger at 607.821-8564 or via email at nickgretzinger@gmail.com 

Figure Skating

Contact Mary-Elizabeth at marye@orda.org

**this competition is a qualifier for State Gamesof America**

**this competition is a participating competitionof the U.S. Figure Skating Solo Dance Series**

Figure SkatingCompetition Information & Rules

You MUST read the information below for detailsBEFORE submitting your entry.

Entry Deadline: January 10, 2012

Allentries can be processed online at www.empirestatewintergames.com

Events to be held:

IndividualFreestyle

Open Division: open to any skater that is 18 years of age or older.

Scholastic Division: open to any skater that is under the age of 18.

SeniorFree Skating - IJS

Test Requirements: USFSSenior FS or ISI FS 10

Time: Men – 4:30; Ladies – 4:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 ISU Regulations

SeniorFree Skating – 6.0

Test Requirements: USFSSenior FS or ISI FS 10

Time: Men – 4:30; Ladies – 4:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 ISU Regulations

SeniorFree Skating – Test Track

Test Requirements: USFSSenior FS or ISI FS 10

Time: Men – 4:30; Ladies – 4:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

JuniorFree Skating – IJS

Test Requirements: USFSJunior FS or ISI FS 9

Time: Men – 4:00; Ladies – 3:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 ISU Regulations

JuniorFree Skating – 6.0

Test Requirements: USFSJunior FS or ISI FS 9

Time: Men – 4:00; Ladies – 3:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 ISU Regulations

JuniorFree Skating – Test Track

Test Requirements: USFSJunior FS or ISI FS 9

Time: Men – 4:00; Ladies – 3:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

NoviceFree Skating – IJS

Test Requirements: USFSNovice FS or ISI FS 8

Time: Men – 3:30; Ladies – 3:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

NoviceFree Skating – 6.0

Test Requirements: USFSNovice FS or ISI FS 8

Time: Men – 3:30; Ladies – 3:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

NoviceFree Skating – Test Track

Test Requirements: USFSNovice FS or ISI FS 8

Time: Men – 3:30; Ladies – 3:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

IntermediateFree Skating – IJS

TestRequirements: USFS Intermediate FS or ISI FS 7

Time: Men & Ladies – 2:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

IntermediateFree Skating – 6.0

TestRequirements: USFS Intermediate FS or ISI FS 7

Time: Men & Ladies – 2:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

IntermediateFree Skating – Test Track

TestRequirements: USFS Intermediate FS or ISI FS 7

Time: Men & Ladies – 2:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

JuvenileFree Skating - IJS

Test Requirements: USFSJuvenile FS or ISI FS 6

Time: Boys & Girls – 2:15

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

JuvenileFree Skating – 6.0

Test Requirements: USFSJuvenile FS or ISI FS 6

Time: Boys & Girls – 2:15

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

JuvenileFree Skating – Test Track

Test Requirements: USFSJuvenile FS or ISI FS 6

Time: Boys & Girls – 2:15

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

Pre-JuvenileFree Skating – Well Balanced

TestRequirements: USFS Pre-Juvenile FS or ISI FS 5

Time: Boys & Girls – 2:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

Pre-JuvenileFree Skating – Test Track

TestRequirements: USFS Pre-Juvenile FS or ISI FS 5

Time: Boys & Girls – 2:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

PreliminaryFree Skating – Well Balanced

TestRequirements: USFS Preliminary FS or ISI FS 4

Time: Boys & Girls – 1:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

PreliminaryFree Skating – Test Track

TestRequirements: USFS Preliminary FS or ISI FS 4

Time: Boys & Girls – 1:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

Pre-PreliminaryFree Skating – Well Balanced

TestRequirements: USFS Preliminary FS or ISI FS 4

Time: Boys & Girls – 1:30 or less

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced ProgramRequirements

Pre-PreliminaryFree Skating – Test Track

TestRequirements: USFS Pre-Preliminary FS or ISI FS 3

Time: Boys & Girls – 1:30 or less

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

NoTest Free Skating – Well Balanced

Test Requirements: Mustnot have passed any USFS FS test; may have passed ISI FS 2

Time: Boys & Girls – 1:30 or less

Requirements: 2011-2012 Well Balanced Program Requirements

Beginner– Test Track

Test Requirements: Mustnot have passed any USFS FS test; may have passed ISI FS 1

Time: 1:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

LimitedBeginner – Test Track

TestRequirements: Must not have passed any USFS or ISI FS test

Time: 1:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 Test Track Regulations

IndividualShort Program Events

Open Division: open to any skater that is 18 years of age or older.

Scholastic Division: open to any skater that is under the age of 18.

SeniorShort Program – IJS

Test Requirements: USFSSenior FS or ISI FS 10

Time: Men & Ladies – may not exceed 2:50

Requirements: 2011-2012 ISU Regulations

JuniorShort Program

Test Requirements: USFSJunior FS or ISI FS 9

Time: Men & Ladies – may not exceed 2:50

Requirements: 2011-2012 ISU Regulations

NoviceShort Program

Test Requirements: USFSNovice FS or ISI FS 8

Time: Men & Ladies – may not exceed 2:30

Requirements: 2011-2012 USFigure Skating Requirements

IntermediateShort Program

Test Requirements: USFSIntermediate FS or ISI FS 7

Time: Men & Ladies – may not exceed 2:00

Requirements: 2011-2012 USFigure Skating Requirements

SoloSeries Pattern Dance Events

All athletes will competein one age division.

*Athletes wanting pointsfrom this event to count towards U.S. Figure Skating's solo dance series MUSTbe registered with the U.S. Figure Skating solo dance series BEFORE competingin this event.

Preliminary

Test Requirement: No testor passed preliminary

Dances to be skated: Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango

Pre-Bronze

Test Requirement: Passedpreliminary or pre-bronze

Dances to be skated:Cha-Cha, Fiesta Tango

Bronze

Test Requirement: Passedpre-bronze or bronze

Dances to be skated:Willow Waltz, Ten Fox

Pre-Silver

Test Requirement: Passedbronze or pre-silver

Dances to be skated:Fourteenstep, Foxtrot

Silver

Test Requirement: Passedpre-silver or silver

Dances to be skated:Tango, Rocker Foxtrot

Pre-Gold

Test Requirement: Passedsilver or pre-gold

Dances to be skated: PasoDoble, Starlight Waltz

Gold

Test Requirement: Passedpre-gold or gold

Dances to be skated:Westminster Waltz, Argentine Tango

SoloSeries Free Dance Events

Allathletes will compete in one age division.

Juvenile

Test Requirement: completepreliminary pattern dance test AND one of the following – juvenile free dance(solo or partnered) or juvenile moves in the field

Requirements: according tojuvenile solo free dance test as listed in the 2011-2012 U.S. Figure SkatingRulebook

Intermediate

Test Requirement: completebronze pattern dance test AND one of the following – intermediate free dance(solo or partnered) or intermediate moves in the field

Requirements: according tointermediate solo free dance test as listed in the 2011-2012 U.S. FigureSkating Rulebook

Novice

Test Requirement: completepre-silver pattern dance test AND one of the following – novice free dance(solo or partnered) or novice moves in the field

Requirements: according tonovice solo free dance test as listed in the 2011-2012 U.S. Figure SkatingRulebook

Junior

Test Requirement: completesilver pattern dance test AND one of the following – junior free dance (solo orpartnered) or junior moves in the field

Requirements: according tojunior solo free dance test as listed in the 2011-2012 U.S. Figure SkatingRulebook

Senior

Test Requirement: completegold pattern dance test AND one of the following – senior free dance (solo orpartnered) or senior moves in the field

Requirements: according tosenior solo free dance test as listed in the 2011-2012 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook

SynchronizedTeam Skating Events

Allsynchronized skating events will be judged using the 6.0 system.

Pre-Juvenile – a teamconsisting of 8-16 skaters, the majority of the team must be under 12.

Program Duration: 2:00

Requirements:as listed in the 2011-2012 U.S. FigureSkating Rulebook

Open Juvenile – a teamconsisting of 8-16 skaters, the majority of the team must be under 19 and allskaters must have passed the pre-preliminary moves in the field test.

Program Duration: 2:30

Requirements:as listed in the 2011-2012 U.S. FigureSkating Rulebook

Intermediate – a teamconsisting of 12-20 skaters. Skaters must be under 18 and have passed thepre-juvenile moves in the field test.

Program Duration: 3:30

Requirements:as listed in the 2011-2012 U.S. FigureSkating Rulebook

EligibilityRequirements

All skaters MUST:

be a domiciled resident of New York State, have status as a student in a New York State school, represent a New York State club or have their primary training location in New York State.complete their online entry by January 10, 2012 at 11:59pm.provide proof of test level and NYS affiliation within 5 working days after completing online registration. Acceptable proof includes a test certificate, copies of test papers, a statement of test level and test date from their professional instructor or coach or a copy of their level as posted online by U.S. Figure Skating or ISI. Proof of NYS affiliation includes a NYS drivers license, NYS school ID, home club permission from a NYS club or statement from coach as to primary training location.

Rules &Regulations

EntryDeadline: January 10, 2012

Events with less than twoskaters: If less than twoskaters/teams enter an event, they will be notified and have the option ofskating in a different event (should they be qualified), skating an exhibitionor receiving a refund.

Sanction: This competitionwill be sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating; as such all skaters, regardless ofclub of National Governing Body affiliation may participate.

Judging Criteria: Unlessspecified as an IJS event, all free skating programs will be judged using the6.0 system. All synchronized team skating events and solo dance events will bejudged using the 6.0 system. Individual short programs will be judged using the IJS system.

Skating Up In Class:skaters are allowed to skate at their level and/or one level higher than theirtest level.

Skating in MultipleEvents: skaters may skate in as many events as they choose provided they meetthe test qualifications. However, ifa skater chooses to enter test track free skating, they may NOT enter thewell-balanced or IJS categories as well.

Practice Ice: A practiceice schedule and instructions on how to purchase practice ice will be availablefollowing the release of the official competition schedule. Each competitor will be e-mailed withthe information as soon as it is available.

Competition Schedule: Acompetition schedule will be e-mailed to each competitor and posted on theEmpire State Games website as soon as it is available.

Entry Fees &Refunds

Individual Events Fees:

$75 – first event

$65 – second event

$55 – third event

Synchronized Skating EventFees:

$160 per team, plus anadditional $20 per skater.

Refund Policy: There will be no refunds unlessofficial documented medical proof is provided.

Contacts:

Co-Chairs:

KathaleenCutone – cutone@msn.com

Mary-ElizabethWightman – marye@orda.org

ChiefReferee, Kathaleen Cutone 

alpine skiing  

adaptive alpine skiing

By invitation only.