Para-alpine skiing
Presence | |
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Paralympic | Part of the Paralympics programme since 1976 Winter Paralympics |
Paralympic alpine skiing is an adaptation of
Para-alpine skiing classification is the classification system for para-alpine skiing designed to ensure fair competition between alpine skiers with different types of disabilities. The classifications are grouped into three general disability types: standing, blind and sitting. A factoring system was created for para-alpine skiing to allow the three classification groupings to fairly compete against each other in the same race despite different functional skiing levels and medical challenges.
Alpine skiing was one of the foundation sports at the first
History
Skiing as a sport for people with disabilities traces its origins back to the
Events
Paralympics
Alpine skiing was one of the foundation sports at the first Winter Paralympics in
At the 2002 Winter Paralympics, women's Downhill and men's visually impaired Downhill were held on day 1 with men's standing and sitting Downhill taking place on day 2. Men's standing and sitting Super-G took place on day 3, with men's visually impaired and women's Super-G taking place on day 5. Men's standing and sitting giant slalom took place on day 7, with women's and men's visually impaired giant slalom taking place on day 8. Men's standing and sitting Slalom took place on day 9, with women's and men's visually impaired Slalom taking place on day 10.[7]
For the 2006 Winter Paralympics, major changes were made to the classification system used for the Games that combined the 14 classes used into three groups with the results factored across different classifications in the group.[2] At those Games, in the Super-G, there were 55 male competitors compared to 18 women in the standing group.[6]
The
The 2014 Winter Paralympics para-alpine skiing took place at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park.[12] Added to this discipline these games was the para-snowboard cross [13] which was held at Rosa Khutor along with the super-G, downhill, super-combined, slalom and giant slalom.[14] In the downhill event for the visually impaired there were 11 men [15] and 6 women.[16] For the downhill standing, there were 17 men [17] and 8 women.[18] For the downhill sitting, 22 men [19] and 6 women [20] participated. In the Super-G for the visually impaired, there were 15 men [21] and 6 women.[22] The Super-G standing event had 31 men [23] and 15 women.[24] The Super-G sitting was contested by 31 men[25] and 8 women.[26] The men's and women's Super Combined Downhill and Super Combined Slalom took place on March 11[14] and both genders' Para-Snowboard Cross events took place on March 14.[14]
World Championships
Governance, rules and events
International and national events for the sport include the Winter
Equipment
Sitting
The primary equipment used in the sport includes outrigger skis, sit-skis, and mono-skis.[33][9] Depending on the classification, other equipment may be used by skiers including guide skiers, cut-down ski poles, orthopedic aids, or prostheses. For standing skiers, different class rules determine what sort of equipment is allowed in competition, such as one pole, two poles or no poles, or one or two skis.[34] Rules for equipment use in competition are set by FIS and the IPC.[35]
There are minimum lengths for skis used in competition, with men's skis needing to be at least 165 centimetres (65 in) long and women's skis needing to be at least 155 centimetres (61 in) long. Bindings used for skis have a maximum height of 55 millimetres (2.2 in).[4]
Sit-skis are designed for wheelchair users or other skiers with a form of paraplegia. The first sit-ski was built in 1967 by
Sit-skiers use a specially designed ski called a mono-ski,[10] sometimes called a maxi mono-ski. It is used by skiers with lower limb disabilities including paralysis. A variation of the mono-ski exists for skiers with bilateral, above the knee amputations. The mono-ski was developed in Austria in the early 1980s by bilateral above-the-knee amputee Josef Feirsinger and engineer Horst Morokuti. The fundamental design they created is still the one used for mono-skis currently used in competition.[33] The mono-ski was quickly used by German skiers who built their own at a workshop in Tübingen. The mono-ski uses the same skis used for non-disabled alpine skiing, adapted so that the skier sits on a chair attached to the ski via a spring. The mono-ski was first used at the 1988 Winter Paralympics.[33]
A monoski, also known as a sit-ski, consists of a molded seat mounted on a metal frame. A
As alpine ski technology has advanced, so has monoski technology. In North America in the 1970s and early 1980s, early "sit-skis" took the form of fiberglass sleds with metal runners. The first downhill sit-ski in the US, the Arroya, was invented by American Peter Axelson in 1978.[37][38][39] Dragging very long poles or "slicks" in the snow were the method in which turns were actually made harder, although not effectively. Few users became proficient enough to descend even intermediate terrain without assistance from a "tetherer." By the early '80s, Europeans were experimenting with "ski-bobs" that mounted on two small skis. In place of today's minimal bucket seats were large fiberglass or Kevlar shells, and leaf springs at first were used instead of slide absorbers. The three-ski design proved accident prone, and it was soon abandoned for a single ski by most manufacturers.[40] By the middle of the decade, the technology had migrated to Canada, and on both continents the modern monoski began to emerge. In the United States, Enabling Technologies'[41] Unique, Sunrise Medical's Shadow, and Dan Fallon's Fallonski were some of the first commercially available monoskis. Praschberger[42] (Austria), Tessier (France), and DynAccess (USA) are some of the major companies.
In 1984, monoskiers took part in the 1984 Innsbruck Paralympic Winter Games as a demonstration sport;[43] in Innsbruck 1988, full medal categories were added for sitting skiers.
Standing
For standing competitors, outrigger skis can be used in some classifications. These are ski poles with small skis on the end.[33][10][9] They assist a skier balancing as they ski down the slopes,[9] and in moving uphill for short distances, enabling skiers to do things like a climb a slope to get on a chair lift.[33]
Other equipment
Beyond this equipment, skiers also gear up wearing special boots, helmets, ski suits, and goggles.[9] At the Paralympic Games, this equipment is prohibited from having advertisements on it.[35] The boots attach to the ski at the heel and toe, and are designed to provide support to foot and ankle with the use of materials in boot construction like hard plastics. All helmets used in competition are required to be hard-shell helmets.[4]
For skiers with visual impairments, guides are used to assist the skier down the course.[10] Guides are skiers who do not have a vision impairment who assist a skier down the slopes by telling the skier where to go using their voice or a radio.[9] Skiers can use more than one guide in the course of a competition, but the guide is only eligible for a medal if they have competed with the same skier for the duration of the discipline event.[44] Like the skier, the guide is required to have an IPCAS Licence in order to participate in a competition[45] and adhere to anti-doping rules.[46]
Disciplines
Para-alpine skiing disciplines include the downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, super combined, and snowboard.
Downhill
This is a speed based timed discipline, where competitors ski down a steep course that can finish 450 metres (1,480 ft) to 800 metres (2,600 ft) lower than it started[48] while containing many turns and jumps.[10][49] The winner is determined based on one run down the course, with the competitor with the fastest time being the winner.[10] Skiers navigate between gates in the downhill, the fewest gates amongst all para-alpine disciplines, and if they miss a set, they are disqualified.[50][32] In some competitions that require qualification for entry, a skier can qualify for this discipline through Downhill or Super-G.[49] There are Disabled FIS points available in sanctioned events.[49] This race is included on the current Paralympic programme.[4]
Skis for women must be at least 200 centimetres (79 in) long with a tolerance of 1 centimetre (0.39 in). For men, the ski length must be at least 205 centimetres (81 in) long with the same tolerance. Women and men's skis need a minimum radius of 45 metres (148 ft).[51] Skiers used curved ski poles for this event. Men and women both need their skis to have a profile radius of 67 millimetres (2.6 in).[9] Top speeds in this event can be up to 100 kilometres (62 mi) an hour.[50] Before the start of the event, the skier is required to do a practice run, and is required to wear a helmet during all their runs.[52]
Super-G
Developed in the 1980s,[48] the Super-G is less technical than others, and is known for the speed of the skier,[6][49] who navigate a course that has a vertical drop between 400 metres (1,300 ft) to 600 metres (2,000 ft) from top to bottom.[48] Compared to other para-alpine skiing disciplines, this course tends to be mid-length. It is longer than the giant slalom and the slalom but shorter than the downhill course.[10] In this discipline, competitors ski between alternating red and blue gates[48] that are 25 metres (82 ft) apart,[10] with men needing to clear 35 gates and women needing to clear 30 gates.[6] In some competitions that require qualification for entry, a skier can qualify for this discipline through Downhill, Slalom or Super-G.[49] There are Disabled FIS points available in sanctioned events.[49] This race is included on the current Paralympic programme.[4]
Skis for women must be at least 200 centimetres (79 in) long with a tolerance of 1 centimetre (0.39 in). For men, the ski length must be at least 205 centimetres (81 in) long with the same tolerance. Women and men's skis need a minimum radius of 33 metres (108 ft). Men and women both need their skis to have a profile radius of 65 millimetres (2.6 in).[51] Skiers used curved ski poles for this event.[9]
Giant slalom
With a vertical drop of 300 metres (980 ft) to 400 metres (1,300 ft),[48] this is one of the more technical of the para-alpine skiing disciplines.[53] This discipline involves two runs down a course straighter and shorter than the downhill,[10] but longer and having fewer turns than the slalom course.[53] The winner is determined based on the combined time for both races.[53] After the first run, the bottom 20% of finishers can be eliminated from the competition at the discretion of the judges.[54] The starting order for the second run is starts with the slowest of the top 15 skiers, with the fastest skier in the first run skiing 15th. Any skiers who finished outside the top 15 then ski in order based on their times from the first run. For example, the 18th fastest finisher in the first run skis 18th in the second run.[35] In some competitions, this is modified using 30 skiers instead of 15.[48] The IPC/FIS run jointly sanctioned events for Slalom.[49] This race is included on the current Paralympic programme.[4] Skiers used straight ski poles for this event.[9]
Slalom
The name for this event is from a Norwegian word meaning "sloping path."[55] This event is the most technical para-alpine skiing disciplines,[55][32] with a vertical drop of only 140 metres (460 ft) to 220 metres (720 ft) on an intentionally iced course.[48] This is the shortest of all the para-alpine skiing events and uses two different courses. Skiers go down each course once, with their finishing position being determined based on their combined course completion time.[10][55] There are gates in this event, about 55-75 for men and 40-60 for women,[32] and if a skier misses a gate, they are disqualified from the race.[10] After the first run, the bottom 20% of finishers can be eliminated from the competition at the discretion of the judges.[54] The starting order for the second run is starts with the slowest of the top 15 skiers, with the fastest skier in the first run skiing 15th. Any skiers who finished outside the top 15 then ski in order based on their times from the first run. For example, the 18th fastest finisher in the first run skis 18th in the second run.[35] Skiers used straight ski poles for this event.[9] In some competitions that require qualification for entry, a skier can qualify for this discipline through Downhill, Slalom or Super-G.[49] The IPC/FIS run jointly sanctioned events for Slalom.[49] This race is included on the current Paralympic programme.[4] Skiers often wear pads when competing in this discipline.[9]
Super combined
The Super Combined event is a combination of two disciplines such as the slalom and the Super G,[10] or the downhill and the slalom. In the event, skiers go down the downhill course once, and the slalom course twice. The times for the races are combined, with the fastest time winning.[6]
Snowboard
Snowboard has vertical drops between 100 metres (330 ft) and 240 metres (790 ft) for both men's and women's races with the course being run over a distance of 400 metres (1,300 ft) to 900 metres (3,000 ft). The course has alternating gates.[47] The sport is only open to standing competitors.[27]
Classification
The first classification systems for
Class | Description | Typical equipment |
---|---|---|
LW 1 | Double leg amputation above the knee, moderate to severe cerebral palsy, or equivalent impairment | Two skis, two outriggers |
LW 2 | Single leg amputation above the knee | One ski, two outriggers |
LW 3 | Double leg amputation below the knee, mild cerebral palsy, or equivalent impairment | Two skis, two poles |
LW 4 | Single leg amputation below the knee | Two skis, two poles |
LW 5/7-1 | Double arm amputation above the elbow | Two skis, no poles |
LW 5/7-2 | Double arm amputation, one above and one below the elbow | Two skis, no poles |
LW 5/7-3 | Double arm amputation below the elbow | Two skis, no poles |
LW 6/8-1 | Single arm amputation above the elbow | Two skis, one pole |
LW 6/8-2 | Single arm amputation below the elbow | Two skis, one pole |
LW 9-1 | Amputation or equivalent impairment of one arm and one leg above the knee | Choice of equipment |
LW 9-2 | Amputation or equivalent impairment of one arm and one leg below the knee | Choice of equipment |
Class | Description |
---|---|
LW 10-1 | Paraplegia with no upper abdominal function and no functional sitting balance |
LW 10-2 | Paraplegia with some upper abdominal function and no functional sitting balance |
LW 11 | Paraplegia with fair functional sitting balance |
LW 12-1 | Paraplegia with some leg function and good sitting balance |
LW 12-2 | Double leg amputation above the knees |
Class | Description |
---|---|
B1 | Totally blind |
B2 | Visual acuity of less than 2/60 |
B3 | Visual acuity of 2/60 to 6/60 |
Factor system
A factoring system was created for para-alpine skiing to allow the grouping of classifications into three general groups: sitting, standing and visually impaired. One medal event can then be held for each group even though there is a wide range of functional mobility and medical differences. The factoring system works by having a number for each class based on their functional mobility or vision levels, where the results are calculated by multiplying the finish time by the factored number. The resulting number is the one used to determine the winner in events where the factor system is used. This means the faster skier down a hill may not be the winner of an event.[67]
The factoring system is used at several para-alpine skiing competitions including the Alpine Cup,
See also
References
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- ^ a b c d e Goldman 2010, p. 21.
- ^ a b Adani, Anastasia, ed. (2011). Winning, A celebration of Paralympic sport in Canada (in English and French). Ottawa, Canada: Canadian Paralympic Committee. p. 90.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "About the Sport". International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing. 2012. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
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- ^ a b c d e f Johnson 2009, p. 12-13.
- ^ Salt Lake Organizing Committee 2002, p. 3.
- ^ a b c Goldman 2010, p. 19.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Johnson 2009, p. 5.
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- ^ Goldman 2010, p. 66.
- ^ "Sochi 2014 Venues | Canadian Paralympic Committee". Archived from the original on 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
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- ^ a b c d e f g International Paralympic Committee 2006, p. 100.
- ^ Goldman 2010, p. 24.
- ^ a b c d e Salt Lake Organizing Committee 2002, p. 13.
- ^ "Adaptive SITSKI Equipment". Archived from the original on 2014-10-19. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
- ^ Adaptive Skiing Resources - When the snow flies Archived 2011-08-26 at the Wayback Machine, rideataxia.org
- ^ Remembering and celebrating 40 years of disabled sports Archived 2012-11-12 at the Wayback Machine, dsusa.org
- ^ LA Times Article, LA Times.com
- ^ History Archived 2007-01-23 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Enabling Technologies website
- ^ Praschberger website
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2014-10-13.
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- ^ a b c d e f g "Paralympic Alpine Skiing - overview, rules and classification". British Paralympic Association. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Salt Lake Organizing Committee 2002, p. 17.
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- ^ a b International Paralympic Committee 2012, p. 1.
- ^ International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing 2012, p. 33.
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- ^ a b c Johnson 2009, p. 8-9.
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Bibliography
- Goldman, Judy (2010). "02 Games History and Facts". Australian Paralympic Committee : media guide Vancouver 2010, 12-21 March (PDF). Sydney, Australia: Australian Paralympic Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-31.
- International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing (2012). IPC Alpine Skiing Rules and Regulations (PDF). Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 8 October 2012.[permanent dead link]
- International Paralympic Committee (2006). Paralympic winter games 1976-2006 : Ornskoldsvik—Torino. Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee. sirsi: a667757. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
- International Paralympic Committee (2012). Equipment Regulations for IPCAS Competition (Seasons 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 ed.). Bonn, Germany: International Paralympic Committee.
- Johnson, Robin (2009). Paralympic Sports Events. St. Catharines, Ontario: Crabtree Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-7787-4025-4.
- Salt Lake Organizing Committee (2002). Alpine Skiing Technical Manual. Salt Lake City, Utah: Salt Lake Organizing Committee. Archived from the original on 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2012-10-07. This is included as an appendix in the media guide, but it is not published by the APC.