19 September 2024
Member Update
It has been just over a month since our last formal update to members and during this time, much has been achieved by the various working groups, so much so, that we are very near to lifting the suspension on racing. It has been a mammoth effort by many behind the scenes and we are excited to be reaching this point soon.
What we do acknowledge is that we have fallen down in our communication of this to you and it is our intention to correct this by issuing a fortnightly Bulletin. This Bulletin will update you on our progress with a Return to Racing, keeping you up to date now that we are in a position to do so.
Such a bulletin will also provide you with updates on items such as Memberships, Insurance, what a Return to Racing Calendar will look like, Scrutineering, First Aid Accreditation and Junior Development Programs, where possible.
Getting to this point has only been possible due to the combined effort of various Board Members, the Safety and Racing Councils and the multiple groups underlying Project Protect.
We have sought to bring together leading experts in their fields of scientific research to assist with:
• Defining / Understanding the issues;
• Considering options for managing the known risks;
• Obtaining assistance with gathering the evidence / testing required to focus on the best possible solutions;
• Obtaining financial assistance; and
• Providing recommendations back to SRA to achieve our short, medium and longer term objectives.
These leading experts include professionals such as Professor Alan Pearce (Swinburne University of Technology), the leading Neuroscientist into Concussion in sports in Australia, who along with Dr Peter Gowzdecky, Australian Team Doctor over the past 44 years, is helping to finalise our Concussion Policy.
We also are working with the likes of Professor David Eager (University of Technology Sydney). David is a Professor of Risk Management and Injury Prevention and a Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. He co-wrote the paper ‘Beyond Velocity and Acceleration: Jerk, Snap and higher Derivatives’, which is applicable to our cause, as it details the effects of snap and jerk movements on the human body.
We are also working with Professor Tom Gibson, who is one of the leading Engineers in the space of simulated vehicle accidents and is the CEO of Human Impact Engineering.
There are other professionals and groups that are helping with our research, but we just wanted to provide you with an insight as to the seriousness with which this is being attended to.
The data collected on falls is continuing to be analysed, along with the information gathered in respect of the equipment being used by not only our skiers, but our Drivers and Observers as well. All of this has assisted us in understanding the issues we face and setting direction for safety improvements.
Regular meetings continue with Maritime and these are critical to our future. Meetings are also happening with the Wetsuit manufacturers and other equipment providers.
As we look forward it is important to reiterate that recommended changes to equipment will only seek to lessen the risk of injury when a fall happens. It is CRITICAL that we implement policies that will bring about cultural change and in doing so, seek to reduce the likelihood of a fall in the first place.
Last night, there was a meeting of the Racing Council at which the new Licence Grading System and Progression Policies were again reviewed and final adjustments agreed. These are to be finalised and sent to the Board for ratification, after which we will start releasing these new Policies and Protocols to you, most likely in our regular bulletins.
In respect of Memberships, please note that we are working on delivering a solution that acknowledges your patience and support.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your state delegate.
Yours in Ski Racing,
SRA Board
