Nuts & Bolts: Fully integrated into the Olympic program in 1948, Alpine skiing is made up of technical events — slalom and giant slalom — and speed events — downhill and super giant slalom.
Slalom: The slalom consists of two runs in one day down two different courses on the same slope. The winner has the fastest combined time. Both ski tips and feet must pass through each gate, so the skier's key to success is tight, controlled turning. Most skiers aim to put only their feet through the gates, pushing the gate poles aside with their bodies. The slalom course must have 55-75 gates for men, 45-65 for women on a tight, steep course in which gates can be less than three feet apart. Gates are set both horizontal and vertical to the slope, requiring different types of maneuvers. Competitors may side-step up the course before the competition but get no practice runs.
Giant Slalom: The giant slalom is a looser, faster version of the slalom. The course is changed between the first and second runs. A competitor may side-step down the course before the event but is disqualified if he or she practices a turn or goes through a gate. The number of gates varies with the vertical drop of the course; in this Winter Olympics, the men will have 56-70 gates and the women will have 46-58.
Equipment: Many slalom and giant slalom skiers wear protective gear on their heads, shins, arms and knees to allow them to buffer contact with the gates. Their poles are straight.
Downhill: The longest, steepest, fastest event is the downhill, where skiers reach speeds near 80 mph. Each skier takes only one run down the course, and the fastest wins. But the skiers will not be surprised by the course: All are required to participate in three official training runs. The course is marked by a few gates, which are placed as necessary to control speed, and padding or fencing may also line the edges of the course for safety.
Super-G (short for super giant slalom): Although the Super-G is primarily a speed event, competitors are required to maneuver through a series of gates (at least 35 men; 30 for women). Contestants are disqualified if both feet do not pass through each gate. As in the downhill, skiers have only one run down the course in competition, but there is a slope inspection before the event where skiers try to learn the course, hoping to avoid too-wide turns that cost valuable time.
Equipment: Downhill and Super-G skiers must wear helmets. Their poles are curved to eliminate wind resistance when hold close to the body. Their boots are raised higher off their skis and angled more severely than normal boots to assist in the low crouch.
Alpine Skiing
