Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 Competitors
Alpine skiing is an individual timed competition (except for the Team Event). Competitors must hold a valid FIS licence issued through their national ski association. Entry to World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic events requires meeting minimum FIS points thresholds, which vary by discipline and gender. Nations are allocated a maximum number of start quotas per event based on national ranking.
4.2 Competition Jury
The competition jury oversees all aspects of the race and has final authority on decisions. The jury consists of:
- Technical Delegate (TD): Appointed by FIS. Responsible for ensuring the competition complies with ICR rules, inspecting the course, approving the course set, and chairing the jury. The TD files a detailed report to FIS after each event.
- Referee: A qualified official who assists the TD and adjudicates protests and disputes.
- Assistant Referee: Supports the Referee in monitoring the competition.
- Chief of Race: Appointed by the organising committee. Responsible for all logistical and operational aspects of the event including course preparation, volunteer coordination, and venue management.
- Start Referee: Oversees the start area, ensures correct start order, monitors start timing, and manages start interval enforcement.
- Finish Referee: Oversees the finish area, confirms finish times, and manages the finish recording system.
4.3 Course Officials
- Gate Judges: Positioned along the course (typically one per 3–5 gates), each gate judge monitors whether competitors correctly pass through assigned gates. They record gate faults and report to the Referee via radio or written cards.
- Course Workers: Responsible for maintaining gate poles during the race (resetting knocked-down gates), course surface repair (filling ruts), and ensuring spectator safety barriers are intact.
- Timing Personnel: Certified operators who manage the electronic timing system, ensure backup timing is operational, and record split times at intermediate checkpoints.
- Video Controllers: Review video footage of gate passages to verify or overturn gate judge reports. Video review is standard at World Cup level and above.
4.4 Coaching and Service Teams
Each national team travels with coaches, ski technicians, and medical staff. Coaches may not communicate with competitors during a run. Ski technicians prepare equipment in designated waxing areas and are subject to random equipment checks by FIS officials before and after races.