Skis. Typically racers have a pair of skis for Slalom and a pair for Giant Slalom. Older racers, U16 and beyond may also have Super G and downhill skis. For entry level racers ages 7-9, there are dual event skis that will perform well for both Slalom and Giant Slalom.
What's the difference between slalom and GS skis?
Skiers make two runs for each event, and their times for both are combined. The Super G, as the Super Giant Slalom is known, is considered a speed event, and each skier makes only one run. The course is longer than the one for the Giant Slalom with a higher vertical drop.
Can I ski on GS skis?
Based on length I would say they are GS skis you can get in store. And such skis are made for non-racers anyway. If you are normal skier, you will do fine with them.
What is the difference between super-G and slalom?
Super-G means super giant slalom. It combines the speed of downhill but the technical turning necessary of the giant slalom. The course winds more than the downhill course, but the gates are spaced out more so that the skiers can pick up speed.
What are the rules of slalom skiing?
Slalom (SL)
As in the giant slalom, each skier makes two runs down two different courses on the same slope. The competitors are required to pass between all the gates, alternate red/blue pairs of poles. Both runs take place on the same day. The times are added together, and the fastest total time determines the winner.
24 related questions foundCan you use GS skis for super-G?
Men's FIS GS Skis for Super-G? Since the advent of the FIS sidecut rule, many masters racers have had success using men's FIS GS skis for super-G, which are just under 200cm long with a ≥35m radius.
Are slalom skis shorter?
Slalom skis are designed to be shorter than other types of skis due to the high speed used for the sport.
What size GS ski should I buy?
Giant Slalom
The top masters women under age 55 use GS skis around 180 cm. Older gals go shorter, 175 to 170 cm, as age increases. The radii are tight, primarily under 20 meters for all but a handful of the younger racers.
What is the difference between slalom and giant slalom?
The giant slalom has characteristics of both the slalom and the downhill, the latter a longer, faster race. Giant slalom gates are wider and set farther apart, and the course is longer than in the slalom. The event was first included in the world championships in 1950 and in the Olympics in 1952.
What does sidecut mean on skis?
“Sidecut is the top-down silhouette of a ski,” Peruzzi says, meaning it's how the ski tapers from the tip to the waist and then widens again from the waist to the tail, resulting in an almost hourglass shape.
What are FIS race skis?
FIS skis are always going to have a more rigid flex pattern than retail skis. This rigidity is not only along the length of the ski as most people are aware, FIS skis are also more rigid torsionally. They are usually made with a laminated wood core and include additional layers of titanium for added strength.
Do both runs count in giant slalom?
Like the slalom event, the giant slalom consists of two runs, after which a skier's times are combined.
Is super-G two runs?
How many runs are there in super-G? Each skier makes just one run down the course and the fastest time wins.
How do you pick a slalom ski length?
The length of a slalom ski is based on the weight of the skier, and there is a pretty simple formula for figuring the correct length. Higher towing speeds are generally associated with smaller skis and/or slalom skis, while lower towing speeds usually require two skis that are longer, wider, or both.
How fast do giant slalom skiers go?
For reference, athletes who compete in giant slalom typically reach speeds of around 50 mph, while slalom skiers clock in around 43 mph. While downhill may be one of the most basic courses in alpine skiing, it's also one of the most dangerous.
How long is super-G?
Course. The vertical drop for a Super-G course must be between 350–650 m (1,150–2,130 ft) for men, 350–600 m (1,150–1,970 ft) for women, and 250–450 m (820–1,480 ft) for children. In the Olympic Winter Games, FIS World Ski Championships, and FIS World Cups, minimums are raised to 400 m (1,300 ft) for both men and women ...
What is the difference between race skis and regular skis?
Racing skis are generally more expensive because they feature high-end technology. They have a stiffer flex pattern to be able to hold turns at high speed. Recreation or town league racers can find skis that are softer versions of World Cup level race skis.
What are race carver skis?
Slalom racing or race-inspired carvers are relatively short skis designed for the tightest turns possible. Race carvers are the longest of the carving skis, which gives them a balance of turning ability and high speed capability. All-around carvers are exactly that.
How do you get disqualified from slalom?
DSQ stands for “disqualified" and it means your race run does not count. If you miss a gate and continue to the finish, miss your start time, or break any of the other rules of the event, or the ski area, you can be disqualified.
What do the double gates mean in slalom skiing?
The hinged gates require, according to FIS rules, only that the skis and boots of the skier go around each gate. The new gates allow a more direct path down a slalom course through the process of cross-blocking or shinning the gates.
What are gates in slalom?
Slalom skiing rules
Skiers are supposed to pass through 'gates' - which refer to two plastic poles, alternating between red and blue through an earmarked course. Each gate has a minimum width of 4m and a maximum of 6m.
Can you slalom snow ski?
Slalom skiing involves a skier skiing between gates or poles that are spaced closely together. The race is different from Downhill or Giant Slalom, where the gates are placed further apart.
