IPSC Ontario Main Page

ICS uses standard stages to compare shooters all over the world. These rankings are then restricted to IPSC Canada members only and IPSC Canada Regional standings are issued for our Region. This provides a running and dynamic list of IPSC Canada members' classifications.

The system is just developing and will reflect the actual rankings as more and more of our members join the program. IPSC Canada will use the Regional Classification ICS System to award Class Awards at the 2004 Nationals in Ontario in August. Some of the Sections will no doubt take this a step further and use the Regional Classification System either as a database for their own calculations or "straight-up". The System is the only way to rank competitors from all across Canada at the National Championships.

There appears to be some misunderstanding among our members. The following attempts to explain in clear terms, what are the facts.

Facts

You may become classified in the Regional System by:

going to ipsc.org and setting up an Alias under "Your IPSC Alias"

shoot a minimum of 4 of the Classification stages listed on the same site under classifier Stages.

score the 4 stages using WinMSS and submit them as a match (or part of a match).

submit the scores to IPSC (see instructions in WinMSS) with the required payment. A minimum of 4 scores gives you your initial Classification. As your skills improve, you can shoot additional stages to raise your standings.

IPSC Canada will use this system to rank competitors at the 2004 National Championships. Note that WinMSS is available free of charge at ipsc.org

Fiction

1. I understand that if I do not have an ICS Regional Classification I will not be allowed to shoot the Nationals.

This is not true. IPSC Canada and the Match Stats personnel will use the ICS Regional Classification to rank the shooters at the Nationals for purposes of issuing the Class awards for the match only. You are welcome to shoot the match as unclassified. To be clear- You can win the match but you cannot win top "B" without a Regional Classification.

2. I do not need to be classified against some shooter in Australia. I am never going to shoot there. There is no benefit to me.

This is also not quite true. IPSC Canada uses only ICS scores posted by Canadian shooters to calculate the Regional Classifications. As an additional bonus, you will also have an International Classification ranking you against some of the best shooters in the world.

3. This is expensive and I cannot afford it.

You can be classified for as little as $5.00 Canadian (actually $3.00US) and as you and your friends become more proficient, you can raise your classification by submitting more scores. These additional scores can be sent in as blocks of 4 or less for the same fee. Considering the cost of participating in our game, this is a small price to pay. This system also finally solves the classification problem for shooters who do not travel to the larger matches in their Section whether due to distance or other inability to attend. Even the smallest clubs can setup some stages and classify all their members on the national system.

4. The ICS fee is nothing but a "money grab" for the International.

Not true. As you can no doubt understand, the program behind this system and the integrated WinMSS systems are complicated and the program developer (an IPSC shooter) agreed to spend the time in return for 1/3 of the match fees. The International has employed staff who enter the scores into the system and "publish" the results on the internet. IPSC receives a 1/3 of the fee for this service. The final 1/3 is returned to IPSC Canada. That's correct. IPSC Canada receives money from the system. In effect, you get part of your money back.

5. The Classification stages are boring "standards".

OK??.The stages must be standard and they must be simple enough so that they can be setup locally. As a result, they do not run like most of our Freestyle Stages. There is no other option. Remember, the requirement is that we classify shooters who do not shoot directly against each other. This is the only way to do this. If you have some ideas for stages that would work well in the ICS database, send them to your Section Coordinator. I am sure that IPSC would appreciate adding interesting and high quality stages to the list.