Skiing – Alpine Training Guide

Events Offered Super Giant Slalom Giant Slalom Slalom Novice, Intermediate, Advanced Giant Slalom Slalom

Uniform Skiers should wear appropriate winter sports attire. Warm ski gloves or mittens, a hat, headband or ski mask, scarf, and sunglasses or goggles are recommended. Optional items include wrist guards and kneepads. All clothing should be conducive to freedom of movement. Bibs: All competitors must wear competition bibs with numbers for both time trial and finals races. Helmets: Ski racing helmets that meet the FIS equipment specifications are required. All helmets must carry an approved tag. Competition equipment, such as skis, boots, bindings, and poles, must pass all appropriate safety guidelines.

Atlantoaxial Instability Rule Athletes with Down Syndrome who may compete in alpine skiing must have an x-ray prior to participation indicating that they don’t have atlantoaxial instability.

Course Layout Two slalom poles, separated by a distance of 4-6 meters across the fall line shall be used to establish a slalom gate. In giant slalom and super giant slalom, two sets of poles with a panel in between constitute a gate. A single pole slalom has no outside pole except for the first and the last gate. For giant slalom, the distance from the turning pole to the outside pole across the fall line is 4-8 meters. The super giant slalom distance is no less than 8 meters. The first gate after the start should always be red.

Course Layout Cont. When it is possible, electric timing equipment will be used. If not possible, hand-held timing will be utilized. Gate judges shall be responsible for timing the two minute rules. Adequate protection for the start and finish areas shall be provided. Fencing and/or pop fencing may be used. Start and finish banners shall be used.

Divisioning All coaches are reminded to review the sections in the Official Special Olympics Winter Sports Rules for clarifications of divisioning and age groupings. Novice, intermediate and advanced skiers shall have two runs on a modified giant slalom course of their ability level, with the fastest time used to determine their division for competition. If there is time, divisioning time trials may be conducted for each event. In the first run of competition in each division, the fastest time trial starts first, the slowest last. If an athlete does not perform at the level they are registered for, the games officials have the authority to move the athlete to their correct level. If an athlete performs in an unsafe manner they will be disqualified.

Start General Rules All start areas shall be flat enabling the athletes to stand in the start in either a relaxed or ready position. For all skiing events, the start command shall be “5- 4-3-2-1-Go!” The timer begins when the athlete’s front boot crosses the start line or electric timer is activated. Care should be given for providing easy access to this area as well as securing the area from the flow of general public skier traffic. A gate has been passed correctly when both the competitor’s ski tip and both feet have passed across the gate closest to where the infraction occurred.

Two-Minute Rule During competition, if the competitor moves out the general direction of the line of the course (falls or misses a gate, lose a ski, etc.), he/she has two minutes from the time of deviation to re-enter the course. A competitor who fails to adhere to this time limit, or receives assistance of any kind, shall be disqualified. Disqualification shall be determined on the gate card by the gate judge assigned to the gate closest to where the infraction occurred. The gate judge is responsible for timing the two minutes.

Event Modifications Slalom / Giant Slalom Super Giant Slalom Slalom and Giant Slalom races will consist of two timed runs. The combined times for each discipline will determine the results for awards. The athletes first run time shall determine his/her second run start order within the division. Slowest first run time will start first, fastest last. Disqualified racers may have a second run, time will run at the end of their division. Super Giant Slalom Super Giant Slalom will consist of one timed run. Competition organizers may vary the degree of difficulty dependent upon the ability levels of the competing athletes. One training run prior to the race run on the same course is required of all athletes.

Friendly Reminders Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them. You must not stop where you obstruct a train or are not visible from above. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others uphill from you. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.