Please Note: MBRC full-time/midweek program athletes in the categories U12, U14, U16 and FIS require at least one Slalom and one Giant Slalom ski.

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1 ALPINE EQUIPMENT SELECTION GUIDELINES Activation Date: Review Date: Prepared By: Richard Haslau & Stoffl Maier Alpine skiing is a gear intensive sport but does not require you to buy expensive gear all the time. It is possible to spend considerable sums of money on equipment. However, by shopping wisely, buying used equipment, and only buying what is essential, you can keep costs down. The following guidelines should help you in deciding what equipment is important for your youngster for the formative years of their ski development. SKIS How many skis do I need? U10 For U10 one ski is recommended (SL/ GS ski) and twin tip skis are optional. U12 - U14 One Slalom (SL) ski and one Giant Slalom (GS) ski is recommended. A twin tip or similar for all mountain or early season/rock skiing recommended. U16 - FIS Minimum of one GS and one SL ski. A second GS/SL ski is optional but not essential, a second Slalom ski could be considered but a second Giant Slalom ski would be more advisable if your budget allows. Please Note: MBRC full-time/midweek program athletes in the categories U12, U14, U16 and FIS require at least one Slalom and one Giant Slalom ski. MBRC Equipment Guidelines 1 of 8

2 Ski length/ selection guide General ski length selection guide: GS ski length should be from eye level to head high or slightly above depending on ability. SL skis should be around chin height but a minimum of 130 cm! Ski guide: GS see below for each category. No minimum requirement for Slalom skis. U10 U12 U14 U16 As per the above general ski length guideline. As per the above general ski length guideline. Minimum of 14m for GS skis. GS length based on ski length selection guide above but no longer than 188 cm, minimum 17m GS length based on ski length selection guide above but no longer than 188cm. Radius 17m minimum. Slalom 130cm minimum length! Slalom 130cm minimum length! FIS Women FIS Men FIS Continentalcup/ Worldcup Non- FIS Junior (ie.interschools) SL: 155cm GS: 183cm and 30m SG: 200cm and 40m SL: 165cm (Wirst year FIS men have a min. ski length of 155cm) GS: 190cm and 35m SG: 205cm and 45m Women: SL: 155cm GS:188cm/30m SG: 205cm/40m Men: SL: 165cm GS: 195cm/35m SG: 210cm/45m No speciwic rules apply but athletes should follow closely ski length guidelines and for U16 GS skis. MBRC Equipment Guidelines 2 of 8

3 Please Note: If you intend to compete in the Australia/New Zealand Continental Cup events, the rules for FIS COC/Worldcup apply. Discuss with coach or program director event participation. BINDINGS Bindings are a very important part of the equipment, and it is important to get a junior binding for Children s athletes. Make sure you purchase bindings with appropriate DIN ranges (for U14 and younger athletes, look for bindings up to DIN12 and for U16 athletes you should look for bindings up to DIN15 or DIN16). BOOTS New and professionally fitted boots are best for skill development. Be careful with second hand boots or buying for growth. Boots that are too big inhibit skill development and can lead to foot problems or soreness. Make sure to purchase a front entry race boot. The overlap design has a cuff that articulates with the lower shell using a hinge at the ankle joint. This design provides performance for the entry-level participant by allowing natural ankle flexion, due to the hinged cuff of the boot. The overlap design also allows for lateral action of the lower leg, a critical factor in skill development. For the entry level, a softer boot with greater flex will be more effective than a stiffer boot, due to strength limitations and skill level. To determine if a boot is soft enough, you should be able to see the forward boot flexion happening in the upper cuff simultaneously with the lower leg. If the lower leg moves forward and the upper cuff moves very little, then the boot is too stiff. The boots should not inhibit the natural alignment of the athlete. Growth of the participants' feet during the season needs to be considered, but similar to skis, buying boots oversized is counterproductive for both performance and fit. Boots that are fitted poorly have the potential to cause bone spurs and possible medical problems in the long term. Fitted ski foot bed recommended for U12-FIS. Orthotics are not recommended in a ski boot. A 4-buckle ski boot with Booster or Power Strap is recommended. MBRC Equipment Guidelines 3 of 8

4 FLEX GUIDE FOR WOMEN/MEN U10/U12: Flex U14: Flex U16: Flex FIS: Flex In case rising plates are mounted onto the boot and/or binding, keep in mind the following restrictions: Maximal standing height (ski/plate/binding): 50mm Maximum distance between ski boot sole and the base of the heel: 43mm SKI SOCK AND UNDERWEAR A proper athletic ski sock is recommended. Sock should not be thick to provide warmth in a ski boot. Thermal underwear in layers is ideal for warmth and breathability. RACE SUIT Race suit is essential. Padding optional. Proper size is highly recommended and thicker suits will help with the cold. New is always good but second hand suits are more than acceptable. PANTS & TRAINING SHORTS Black ski pants are part of our uniform and need to be sourced individually; ideally with full zips down the side of legs to enable easy take off to race suit underneath. Training shorts are recommended (with zips). SHIN GUARDS / POLE GUARDS Shin guards protect the athlete s lower leg when they get close to the slalom gates. They are strapped on using Velcro. All athletes from the U12 category onwards should have them. Shin guards come in different sizes and should cover the knee and extend down to just over the boot cuff. We suggest you try to find used shin guards. Pole guards protect the athlete's hands as they hit the Slalom poles. All athletes training full slalom gates should have them. One type covers the fist and another type goes right over the top of the pole handle. Note that pole guards are only used MBRC Equipment Guidelines 4 of 8

5 in Slalom and thus if you choose to purchase just one set of ski poles they will need to be removed when the athlete trains or races GS. Used pole guards will be perfectly adequate. Pole guards are required from the U14 category onwards, on an individual basis even earlier. BACK PROTECTOR As per our policy, back protectors are required to be worn at all times when training with MBRC. Modern back protectors offer a critical layer of protection against impact and injury to the vertebrae and spinal cord resulting from high speed falls or whiplash type decelerations. There are a number of different models available specifically designed for ski racers. Fit and comfort is the most important feature and a proper ski racing back protector is required and should be FIS approved. Make sure you try it on with your race suit, and try full range of movements including tuck to ensure comfort. JACKET MBRC jacket or soft shell for training. An optional rain coat that enables athletes to ski in poor weather conditions is highly recommended. GLOVES Waterproof glove or mitten with fingers inside. Spare pair of same glove or waterproof gloves highly recommended. POLES Proper length poles for all athletes. Measured by holding the pole upside down with hand under the basket with handle on the ground and fore arm should be parallel with the ground with elbow at a right angle. Measure with boots on and with all joints slightly flexed in an athletic position. Buy poles longer if in doubt as they can always be cut down. Strap should be conventional strap design, nothing fancy. Must have baskets to train and race. U10-U12: One set of straight poles for both GS and Slalom. U14 FIS: One straight set for SL with dedicated hand guards and one GS pole. MBRC Equipment Guidelines 5 of 8

6 HELMET U 10 FIS: One helmet suitable for both Slalom and Giant Slalom with the ability to fit face guard (chin guard) for slalom. A face guard is essential for all U14-FIS athletes training Slalom full gates. NO soft ears except for a proper slalom helmet (optional) or for free skiing. A new properly fitted helmet is essential, no second hand or handed down helmets. Adjustable chin-strap that can ensure a firm fit so helmet does not move or come off. All FIS athletes are required to have FIS approved helmets in order to compete in FIS competitions. The National Alpine Committee strongly recommends that all U16 and U14 athletes also use FIS compliant helmets for the 2015 season. In 2016 it will be a requirement for all U16 and U14 athletes to use FIS compliant helmets for the domestic season. Please plan ahead and ensure you have the correct equipment. The new compliant helmets must display the following sticker. Chin Guard A chin guard is screwed onto an athlete's helmet to prevent Slalom poles hitting their face. All athletes training Slalom full gates need to have a chin guard. Each chin guard is brand specific. Thus your chin guard needs to be made by the same manufacturer as the helmet. We recommend you purchase it at the same time as you purchase the helmet. Chin guards can only be worn in Slalom. They must always be removed when training or racing GS or free skiing. The athlete must be able to take their chin guard on and off without assistance. Mouth Guard Mouth guards are optional for all racers engaging in gate training and competition activities. Mouth guards have shown to minimize injury to teeth and mouth tissues during any kind of impact, but also relate to concussion issues from sudden acceleration of the lower jaw in the event of head trauma. GOGGLES Goggles should be a good fit with the helmet and have a good quality lens. Always take care of your goggle lenses by storing them in a soft bag and never wipe the lenses, especially the inside with tissue paper. Athletes are encouraged to have several sets of lenses for various light conditions; good vision is performance critical. A spare pair for racing/training is highly recommended especially in bad weather. MBRC Equipment Guidelines 6 of 8

7 BACK PACK FOR GATE TRAINING For food and water bottle. Also for storing of spare clothing or gloves, shin guards etc. A good ski racing back pack that has the ability to carry boots in side pockets or inside pack is something you may well have for your life as an athlete; worth the investment. MBRC Equipment Guidelines 7 of 8

8 EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST MBRC Equipment Requirements & Recommendations Children s Age Skis CATEGORY U10/U12 U14 U16/FIS COMMENTS Slalom skis Giant slalom skis Super G skis Downhill skis Optional for U12. Individual for U16. Poles Straight poles (GS/SL) Bendy poles for GS SG/DH poles Individual for U16. Individual for U16. Protection Back protector Approved racing helmet Goggles Spare goggle lenses Shin guards (slalom) Pole guards (slalom) Chin guard (fits on helmet) Mouth guard (in mouth) Stealth top Mandatory for ALL MBRC members. Recommended for U14/U16. Mandatory once skiing in full Slalom gates. Mandatory once skiing in full Slalom gates. Mandatory once skiing in full Slalom gates. Optional for U14/U16. Optional for U14/U16. Clothing Race suit Training shorts MBRC jacket & black pants 2 nd pair of gloves/mitts Rain gloves Rain/wind jacket Optional for U10. Optional for U10/U12. Mandatory. Recommended. Recommended. Recommended. MBRC Equipment Guidelines 8 of 8