What are the disciplines in alpine ski racing?

These include Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, Combined and Parallel. The first two of these are categorised as speed events, the rest are technical with the exception of Combined.

All disciplines require competitors to ski as fast as possible from the start line to the finish line between gates made of red and blue poles with banners connecting them. Missing a gate usually means disqualification and the steepness, course shape and number of gates varies between disciplines, along with the technique required to master each one. This article will explain the differences between each alpine ski racing discipline along with individual rules, formats and ranking systems.

Downhill

The Downhill is just as it sounds, a line from the top of the hill to the bottom. It is the longest course in alpine ski racing and also the fastest, with athletes hitting speeds of 100mph (160kmph) in some parts. The natural terrain of the venue defines the number of gates and course route which has few turns and vertical drops ranging from450-800 in women’s races and 750-1100 in men’s.The sheer speed of racers means that athletes mustmaintain control on long jumps which launch them metres into the air.

The Downhill is a single-round event which takes into account one run from each athlete at full speed. A practice runis authorised-unlike some other categories-and athletes ski in an aerodynamic tuck position the whole way down. The event is an incredible spectacle, attracting tens of thousands of fans to watch athletes with superhuman leg strength descend the mountain like a dart. Naturally, the Downhill is a speed event. The recordfor fastest speed at a FIS World Cup is currently held by French skier Johan Clarey who hit 100.6mph (161,9 km/h) at the Lauberhorn Downhill in Wengen, 2013.

Super G

The other speed event is the Super G which stands for Super Giant Slalom. It demands more technical skill to manoeuvre the gates which are closer together. The course is shorter and less steep than the Downhill but the challenge is to pass all gates in the fastest time.

In contrast to the Downhill, athletes are allowed one inspection of thecourse but no practice runs. They can reach speeds of 60-75mph and compete in a one-run final. With 28-45 gates to contend with, the Super G is thrilling, dramatic and incredible to watch.

Giant Slalom

The Giant slalom, Also known as ‘GS,’ is classed asa technical event because there are more gates than the Super G, usually between 30-65 in total.

Athletes compete in two runs on different courses during the same day. The starting order of the second run is the reverse of the fastest times, with the 30thgoing first. So the racer who has the fastest first run goes last in the second run. This event is the fastest of the technical disciplines, with the total time of both runs deciding the final ranking.

Slalom

The Slalom is the discipline with the shortest course and fastest turns, making it the most technical event. Athletes navigate 40-75 gates which are closer together than all other disciplines, with around 8-15m between them.

The aim is to take the tightest line between gates and this discipline requires a different approach as athletes face gates head-on, aiming to clear them with their shins and pole guards. The format is two runs on different courses, with the fastest 30 starting in reverse order for heat two just like the Super G.

The fastest combination of times wins and although this is the shortest course in alpine skiing, it is by no means the easiest! Rapid changes in direction demand lightning-fast responses from athletes to conquer each gate and avoid head-on collisions.

Alpine Combined

This event is a two-run contest consisting of one Downhill or Super G run and one slalom run. To be successful, athletes must combine the pace of the speed events and the technical finesse of slalom. Both runs will usually take place on the same day andthe competitor with the fastest combined time is crowned champion.

The format mirrors the other technical events with the fastest 30 racers of the first round starting the second round. This challenging event demands versatility from athletes, combining two specialisms in one.

The Major Alpine Ski Races

Throughout theyear there are hundreds of competitions in which athletes compete but the ultimate champions of alpine ski racing are crowned at the World Cup, Alpine Ski World Championships and Olympics. Back in 1936, one alpine skiing event was included for the first time in the Winter Olympics held in Germany. Fast forward to today and six events are contested at Olympic level every four years including the Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, Mixed Team Parallel and Alpine Combined.

The governing body of skiingis the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) and alpine athletes collect points every winter season on the event circuit. Points are awarded to the top 30 racers and the male and female athletes with the most points at the end of the season are crowned overall World Cup winners, each receiving a crystal globe trophy. The winners of each individual discipline receive a smaller globe for their achievements.

Every two years The Alpine World Ski Championships awards the fastest athletes in the same disciplinesas the World Cup plus a Mixed Nations Team Event. In this event, two skiers compete on parallel slalom courses against other nations. The team is made up of two men and two women and has a knock-out format, with the winners proceeding to the next round.

Two iconic events in the World Cup calendar are the Lauberhorn Downhill in Wengen, Switzerland, and the Streif in Kitzbühel, Austria. The Lauberhorn is the longest Downhill course in the circuit and attracts over 30,000 fans who watch athletes fly down the 4.2km course in two and a half minutes.

The Streif is often labelled the hardest Downhill event due to its starting gradient of 51% which means racers can hit speeds of up to 60mph in a few seconds. This mind-bending race attracts over 90,000 visitors to the Hahnenkamm race weekend each year.

The alpine ski racing calendar is gruelling for athletes who must maintain optimum physical form throughout the year to perform at the highest level. One slip can result in serious injury, but the glory of gold medals and trophies keeps athletes coming back for more.