ABOUT
Overview * The Events
* Mission *
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Involved
So What Is
NIRA?
The National Inline
Racing Association introduces the nation's first competitive
program for the Sport of Inline Speed Skating that provides
you and your team the excitement of Olympic Style Short Track
Speed Skating while learning and experiencing the
International format of Inline Speed Skating used at the World
Championships.
Why Join the
NIRA?
By joining the
National Inline Racing Association, you and your club will
have access to the nation's newest speed skating program.
Compete in the sanctioned events which were developed to
introduce you and your skaters to the international style of
racing. Introduce your skaters at a young age to oval track
racing, allowing them to develop in the International arena of
speed skating.
All
International track competitions are competing on oval tracks!
The C.I.C. defines a track as 'a race course within an outdoor
or indoor facility provided with two straightaways of the same
length and with two symmetrical bends having the same
diameter.' The World Championships are never competed around a
track marked using four offset pylons with a running start
before starting the clock.
By using International guidelines for the NIRA Racing
Rules, the NIRA competition umbrella will allow you and your
skaters learn, develop skills and compete in the International
Speed Skating arena. This includes: an individiual timed event
using the same International starting procedures as used at
the World Championships. Learn and understand the
International system for heating of skaters, starting line
position and qualifying by times to a final event. Learn,
develop, and test strategies needed for the elmination races,
race three person relays using the same guidelines established
for the World Champinships, as well as the Winter Olympics.
Experience the
International style of speed skating at home. Need we say
more? Take your team and skaters to a higher level with the
NIRA.
Program
Overview
The NIRA Short
Track program is designed for roller skating centers, parks,
and recreation centers or any smooth surface such as a parking
lot. Skaters will train and compete on a 100 meter tracks
marked with 14-16 corner markers (see track
layout) as currently practiced in Olympic Short Track Ice
Speed Skating. The oval track allows safer corners with wider
passing lanes for more exciting races.
The Starting Line and Finish Line are the
same, located 12 meters from the first corner marker at the
center of the straightaway. The Time Clock begins with the
firing of the starting marker at the center of the
straightaway. The Time Clock begins with the firing of the
starting gun. Photo Finish cameras will be used at the NIRA
Nationals for world record consideration and correct placement
determined by the skater's skate.
The Individiual Age Group classification and
distances are defined for both individual and relay events.
All Individual Age Groups will have a competitive distance of
'500 Meters.' This allows each age group the opportunity to
compare times with the other age groups.
The exciting 100 Meter "Dash For Cash" allwos
each skater to individually compete against the clock with a
cash prize for the fastest male and fastest female times.
The "Last Man Out"
elimination races are a 'race within a race', with the winner
being the last remaining skater regardless of the laps left.
The 'Two & Three
Person Relays' are based upon International Speed Skating
(CIC) and the Olympic Short Track Ice Relay formats. Each
skater will relay every one/two laps and return to the relay
box after completing their laps for the Judges' Final
Placement.
Awards are
awarded for each race in the Individual Age Groups as well as
the Overall top three skaters combining all age group events,
including the Dash for Cash.
The 'NIRA Nationals' National Short Track Inline
Speed Skating Championships are scheduled annually over the
Labor Day Weekend. The Championsihps are open to all skaters
with no regional qualification required.
Who is the NIRA?
While the NIRA itself is a new organization, our
Board of Directors has more than 100 years of national skating
leadership with resumes including: former national chmpaions
and world championship skaters, former and current world team
coaches, coaches of national and world champion skaters,
directly invovled in having the sport of roller skating
included in the Pan American Games, and distributors of speed
skating equipment.
The
NIRA is positioning itself to become a leader in the sport of
inline speed skating. The NIRA is confident that the premier
comeptitions pvoided through the NIRA will meet the needs of
millions of inline skaters in the nation's fastest growing
sport.
How Can We Join
NIRA?
Joining the NIRA is
simple. Simply fill out the Club Application, located in the
Get
Invovled section, and return it to the NIRA with the $25
annual membership fee included.
Once your application is processed, you will receive
the following membership benefits: You will receive 16
Official NIRA Corner markers, The NIRA Event Directors Guide,
Official NIRA Rule Book, NIRA Constitution and By-Laws,
Competition Sanctioning Privelages, Official Certification
Program, Competition Information, Rights to bid for the NIRA
Nationals, Complimentary copy of Speed Skating Times and
subscription info, and the NIRA COACH Newsletter. |