SKI RACING 101
There are several different kinds of alpine skiing, but it is most commonly divided into 6 core disciplines.
Olympic events include: Skier-Cross (SX), Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS), Super G (SG) and Downhill (DH)
Skier Cross (SX) is an exciting race combining GS and Freestyle. There is a progression to the course design and numbers of racers on a course at one time. Training consists of regular GS courses, jumps, bumps, rollers and free ski techniques. Race event training consists of practicing the course before several individual timed training runs. These training runs at lower levels are often used for seeding for the event. The youngest athletes may either run individually against the clock in pairs or groups of 4. As the athletes get older, the number in the course will increase to a maximum of four to six.
Slalom (SL) is one of the technical disciplines consisting of single poles as the gates. It is a short and fast race consisting of the regular gates. The course is normally set in a regular rythymn with changes defined by the flush gates. For U12 and U14 racers, soft "stubbies" or Hero Gates are used for training and racing. For U16 and older racers, full gates are used.
Giant Slalom (GS) is another technical event. It consists of double poles with a flag between them. The turns between the gates are larger and the course is longer than Slalom.
Super Giant Slalom (SG) is a speed event. The gates are similar to GS. The course set allows for larger turns and uses the terrain of the slope, controlling the athlete's speed coming into more difficult sections. This event is introduced to U16 athletes and above.
Ski Racing terms (click on the underlined links for more details)
SL- Slalom
GS-Giant Slalom
SX-Ski Cross
NOD-Northern Ontario Division or "NOD"
AOA-Alpine Ontario is our Provincial umbrella
ACA-Alpine Canada is our National umbrella
TD-Technical Delegate
ROC-Race Organizing Committee
Gates and Flags-Gate are the pole and flag the athletes must pass through or around.
Heats-The series of races that occur to determine the top skiers
Seeding-The order in which the athlete is designated to go in a race, usually determined by season points.
Small Finals-Is the final race to determine 5th to 8th place.
Large Finals-Is the final race to determine 1st to 4th place.
Features-Different types of jumps, rollers, kickers, banks, flats, turning gates, negative turns, etc...
BIB-Pullovers the athlete wear during a race to determine the order they run in, or in SX, the lane they start in. Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Green are common colour bibs used in ski cross events.
B-Netting-Safety fencing that lines both side of the course and any areas that may cause a hazard for the athletes.
WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED FOR EASX?
Olympic events include: Skier-Cross (SX), Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS), Super G (SG) and Downhill (DH)
Skier Cross (SX) is an exciting race combining GS and Freestyle. There is a progression to the course design and numbers of racers on a course at one time. Training consists of regular GS courses, jumps, bumps, rollers and free ski techniques. Race event training consists of practicing the course before several individual timed training runs. These training runs at lower levels are often used for seeding for the event. The youngest athletes may either run individually against the clock in pairs or groups of 4. As the athletes get older, the number in the course will increase to a maximum of four to six.
Slalom (SL) is one of the technical disciplines consisting of single poles as the gates. It is a short and fast race consisting of the regular gates. The course is normally set in a regular rythymn with changes defined by the flush gates. For U12 and U14 racers, soft "stubbies" or Hero Gates are used for training and racing. For U16 and older racers, full gates are used.
Giant Slalom (GS) is another technical event. It consists of double poles with a flag between them. The turns between the gates are larger and the course is longer than Slalom.
Super Giant Slalom (SG) is a speed event. The gates are similar to GS. The course set allows for larger turns and uses the terrain of the slope, controlling the athlete's speed coming into more difficult sections. This event is introduced to U16 athletes and above.
Ski Racing terms (click on the underlined links for more details)
SL- Slalom
GS-Giant Slalom
SX-Ski Cross
NOD-Northern Ontario Division or "NOD"
AOA-Alpine Ontario is our Provincial umbrella
ACA-Alpine Canada is our National umbrella
TD-Technical Delegate
ROC-Race Organizing Committee
Gates and Flags-Gate are the pole and flag the athletes must pass through or around.
Heats-The series of races that occur to determine the top skiers
Seeding-The order in which the athlete is designated to go in a race, usually determined by season points.
Small Finals-Is the final race to determine 5th to 8th place.
Large Finals-Is the final race to determine 1st to 4th place.
Features-Different types of jumps, rollers, kickers, banks, flats, turning gates, negative turns, etc...
BIB-Pullovers the athlete wear during a race to determine the order they run in, or in SX, the lane they start in. Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Green are common colour bibs used in ski cross events.
B-Netting-Safety fencing that lines both side of the course and any areas that may cause a hazard for the athletes.
WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED FOR EASX?
- Mouthguard: all athlete should wear a monthguard during all training sessions.
- U12 and under should have properly sized or bigger SL or Multi Event Skis. (Multi Event skis is the best option for developing athletes).
- U14 and up athletes should have 2 pairs of skis properly sized, one pair SL, one pair GS. (GS has no FIS regulation on length or side cut for SX)
- Properly fitted race boots and bindings. This is important for comfort, development and performance.
- Speed Suit or Downhill Suits for U12 and up. U14 and up, it is highly recommended. a race suit can reduce training and race times by seconds.
- Warm pants, jacket and mitts or gloves. (stay away from cotton under layers)
- Back Protectors are highly recommended and permitted for all athletes. (Mandatory for U12's and up).
- Hard ear helmets are required. FIS approved helmets for all U12 athletes and up. Soft ear helmet are not permitted on any race course or track.
All U14 and up helmets must have this FIS decal/marking. Any other FIS logos are obsolete.
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