RTTT,
Rem makes some great points. The MSA DH is quite "gentle", and as such it's a great one to gain experience in. Based on the way the calendar fell, a few years ago there was a lot of interest in this race among the Eastern US ski academy crowd. For whatever reason, that interest seems to have waned among the US skiers. Too bad, as it's a good venue.
The Eastern USSA office controls and actually submits ALL FIS entries, both in Canada and in the US. An individual does not enter FIS races directly, as one enters a USSA race. There are quotas and limited numbers for all of them. I suspect that there should be room in this race, based on the lack of interest. First step is making sure that you have a FIS license. If you don't, you may want to think twice, depending on what other races you may try to enter. The license isn't cheap. There is far more interest in FIS races than there are openings. I know guys, as J1's last year, who were shut out of Eastern FIS GS races although they had points in the 60's. Also know guys with points in the 40's who couldn't get into Canadian FIS races as the US quota is so small. It's an issue, particularly in the East. There are Eastern "Devo FIS" races specifically to gain experience; you should check with the Eastern USSA office to understand how those will work this year. The specific purpose is to get juniors a FIS profile.
The Eastern office, having a lot of pressure to make sure that they fairly handle this FIS demand, is very tough on people appearing on every list for every race, then picking where to head at the 11th hour. In the past some of that went on. Not much now. They want people and coaches to commit to one event. If you were on the list {which is rank ordered by points}, even if you were the 83rd alternate, you could take the chance on showing up and as names of the no-shows were "pulled from the board", you could possibly sneak in either under the US quota or to fill the field of 140 in the US. Harder to do now, as the no shows are more rare. Somebody will pull out, notify the Eastern office, and somebody else high on the alternate list will hop in a van to take their place. It's harder, but still possible.
I do not know how the Eastern office would handle you, as an independent, with no FIS speed experience, and limited USSA speed experience. I don't know, but I would ask them. You need to be represented at a FIS seed meeting by a coach, but you also really need a coach to be at the captains meetings, to be on a radio, etc. There are legitimate safety concerns. It's an "easy" DH, but still a DH.
I would contact the Eastern USSA office and ask the questions before doing anything else. Rem can be a huge help, but to get into any FIS race, you need to go through the Eastern office. Start there.
