Super Seed

The Super Seed creates second-run drama and suspense by starting the ten fastest men from the first run together.  The top ten racers from the first run start the second run, in reverse order of finish, immediately prior to the class of the oldest Super Seed qualifier, but never before the class 9 men, and never after the class 5 men.  Super Seed participation for class 9 - 13 racers is optional, but they must opt out before the 2nd run starts. Participation for all other classes is mandatory.

Normally (when the Superseed is not used) the second-run start order is by order of finish within age class.  The oldest age classes start first.  So, if a Class 1 racer wins the first run, he's the first Class 1 racer to start the second run, near the end of the race.

With Superseed, this Class 1 first-run-winner starts 10th in the Superseed, immediately after the nine racers who came closest to his first run time, and before the class of the oldest racer that finished in the top ten.  This creates an exciting and dramatic event, and rewards this Class 1 winner with a better track than he would otherwise see.

There are compromises inherent in the Superseed:

• Older racers are accustomed to an early start advantage, which partially makes up for the disadvantage of their "maturing" physiques.  The Superseed compromises that advantage.
• Racers who qualify for the superseed gain an advantage over members of their age class who fail to qualify.
• It singles out some skiers for special treatment and puts them in a spotlight, which some feel is antithetical to the spirit of Masters racing.

Surely there are other issues as well, but Superseed gives Masters races an exciting twist at selected races.

2002 Schedule   Home