What is the Rocky Freestyle RQS program?
This Rocky Qualifier Series (RQS) is for skiers with some competition experience. RQS events may feature competitions in moguls, dual moguls, aerials, slopestyle, halfpipe, and skicross events. Competitions are hosted on weekends at several different resorts across Colorado. RQS moguls competitions have two jumps, are timed, with each competitor receiving two runs, the better of which is counted. A three judge panel scores each of the competitors. Each season concludes with an RQS Championship weekend. The schedule and location of events are posted on the Rocky Mountain Freestyle website. Though RQS events are sanctioned by USSA, RQS events are considered “non-scored” USSA events and are not reflected on the USSA points list. RQS regular season separate day competitions shall be limited to 90 competitors.
RQS Championships: Athletes must have competed in a minimum of two RQS events to qualify to compete in the RQS Championships.
One-time Moguls RQS Move-ups
The RQS Program is a precursor to the USSA Competitive program in Freestyle Skiing. An RQS program athlete may, with the approval of their coach move up to compete at ONE Rocky Mountain Competitive Series “meet” each year without losing their RQS status or having to obtain a full USSA Competitor membership (a meet consists of all moguls events on a specific competition weekend, including duals). However, an RQS athlete cannot move up to a Champs/Sr. event. Once an RQS athlete skis in their 2nd USSA scored Rocky Competitive Series event, they must remain at that upper level of competition. Please make sure to note “RQS Move-up” if registering for a Rocky Mountain Competitive Series event by emailing the RMF office at wlana@rockymountainfreestyle.com. One-time RQS move-ups do not receive USSA points at their move-up meet unless they hold a full USSA Competitor membership. Sometimes Competitive Series mogul events are designated as “unrestricted” RQS move-up events which means that an RQS athlete may compete in these events without the event counting as their one-time move-up.
Unrestricted RQS Aerial, Slopestyle and Halfpipe participation
RQS competitors may, with the approval of their coach, compete in any or all of the Rocky Mountain Competitive program aerial, slopestyle and halfpipe events without losing their RQS status. RQS athletes are cautioned to ensure that their coach approves their jumps at these events in accordance with Section 3070 of the USSA Freestyle/Freeskiing Competition Guide. RQS athletes will not receive points on the USSA points list for these events unless they hold a full USSA Competitor membership.
RQS Event Fees and Registration
RQS events are $50 per event and Devo events are $50 per event. Athletes must register on the RMF website: www.rockymountianfreestyle.com Event Fact Sheets are posted on the Rocky Freestyle website. Events are limited to the first 90 entrants, for regular season competitions.
RQS Membership
Each RQS competitor first year J3 and under (as of December 31 of the competition season) must hold both a valid USSA Freestyle Youth membership and a Rocky Mountain Division Youth membership. Both of these memberships are obtained together through the USSA on a single application. Membership information (fees, forms and payment options) are available at www.ussa.org.
Any coach approved second year J3 or older RQS competitor (see above) must obtain either a USSA Freestyle Competitor membership with a Rocky membership, or a USSA Rookie membership, as appropriate. Forms and information on these memberships are also available at www.ussa.org.
Any competitor who obtains a USSA Youth membership for the RQS program and later moves into the Rocky Freestyle Competitive Series program (except for the one time move up provided for above) will be required to purchase a full USSA Competitor or Rookie membership.
Start Orders
Starts shall be run in order of age group beginning with the youngest age group and proceeding upwards in age. Males and females shall run separately within age groups, females first. Late entries shall run at the end of the appropriate field. Athletes left off the run order due to the organizer error shall run at the beginning of their age groups. The First and second run start order will be the same. The best scored run counts for awards.
Awards
For each event, organizers will award ribbons, medals or trophies to the top 3 places in each age group J6-J3 and top 10 places overall male and female. Participation ribbons may be given all participants not in the age group top 3 or over all top 10. J2 and older skiers are to be included in the overall results only.
If you have additional questions about these events, please contact the Rocky Mountain Freestyle office by e-mail at wlana@rockymountainfreestyle.com, or by phone at 303-202-0534.