Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Course Inspection
Course inspection rules differ by discipline:
- Downhill: Competitors must complete a minimum of one official training run (typically three training runs are scheduled over preceding days). Inspection is conducted by skiing the course at reduced speed.
- Super-G: No course inspection on foot and no training runs. Competitors may visually inspect the course from alongside or study video footage. This “one-look” format demands exceptional reading of terrain at speed.
- Giant Slalom: Competitors inspect the course on foot (side-slipping alongside the gates) for a defined inspection period before each run.
- Slalom: Competitors inspect the course on foot before each run, studying gate placement, snow conditions, and line choices.
5.2 Start Procedure
Competitors start individually at fixed intervals. The start referee calls the racer into the start gate approximately 10 seconds before their start time. A countdown sequence of audible beeps (at 10 seconds, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and a start tone) signals the racer. The racer must leave the start gate within 5 seconds of the start signal; failure to do so results in a time penalty or DSQ at the jury's discretion.
Typical start intervals are: DH 60 seconds (minimum), SG 60 seconds, GS 60 seconds (or variable based on conditions), SL variable (typically immediately after the previous racer clears the course or a fixed interval).
5.3 Start Order and Bib Numbers
Start order is determined by FIS points ranking in the relevant discipline. In World Cup events, the top-ranked competitors (typically the top 7–15 by FIS points) draw start positions from a random draw within their group. Lower-ranked competitors start in descending order of FIS points after the seeded group. In two-run events (GS, SL), the second run start order is the reverse of first-run results: the 30th-placed racer after run one starts first in run two, with the run-one leader starting last — a format known as the “bib flip” or reverse-30 rule.
5.4 Gate Passage
A competitor must pass through every gate on the course. A gate is correctly passed when both ski tips and both feet have crossed the gate line (the imaginary line between the turning pole and the outside pole, or between the two pairs of poles in GS). In slalom, physical contact with the gate panel is expected and normal — racers deliberately strike the hinged panel with their shins, arms, or hands to maintain a tight line.
5.5 Run Format
- Downhill: One timed run. Fastest time wins.
- Super-G: One timed run. Fastest time wins.
- Giant Slalom: Two runs on different course sets (the course setter changes gate positions between runs). Lowest combined time wins.
- Slalom: Two runs on different course sets. Lowest combined time wins.
- Alpine Combined: One speed run (DH or shortened SG) plus one SL run. Lowest combined time wins.
- Team Event: Nations field teams of four (two men, two women). Competitors race head-to-head in parallel slalom. Each matchup is decided by the combined time advantage of the team's four racers. The tournament uses a single-elimination bracket format.
5.6 DNF, DNS, and DSQ
DNF (Did Not Finish): A competitor who stops or falls and does not cross the finish line. DNS (Did Not Start): A competitor who does not appear in the start gate for their run. DSQ (Disqualified): A competitor who is disqualified for a rule violation (gate fault, equipment infraction, or unsportsmanlike conduct). A competitor who misses a gate may hike back up and re-pass the gate correctly to avoid DNF, provided they do so without outside assistance.