Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Course Inspection
Course inspection rules differ by discipline:
- Downhill: Official training is part of the competition and competitors are required to take part (ICR 704.1). Three days should be scheduled for inspection and training (ICR 704.2), and each competitor must take part in at least one timed training run (ICR 704.7.3).
- Super-G: Competitors inspect the set course on skis, by skiing slowly beside it or side-slipping through the gates (ICR 614.3.2). The race is a single run (ICR 1006), which demands exceptional reading of terrain at speed.
- Giant Slalom: Competitors inspect on skis by side-slipping through the gates or skiing slowly beside the course, during an inspection period set by the Jury (ICR 614.3.2, 614.3.3).
- Slalom: Competitors inspect on skis before each run, studying gate placement, snow conditions, and line choices; skiing through gates or entering the course on foot without skis is not allowed (ICR 614.3.2).
5.2 Start Procedure
In Downhill, Super-G and Giant Slalom competitors start individually at fixed intervals. A start clock with an automatic audible signal is used where possible; otherwise the starter says “10 seconds” and then counts “5, 4, 3, 2, 1” before the command “Go” (ICR 613.4). A start is valid within 5 seconds before and 5 seconds after the official start time; a competitor who does not start within that window is disqualified (ICR 613.7).
In DH, GS and SG the regular start interval is 60 seconds; the Jury may fix different intervals, but not less than 40 seconds in Downhill and Super-G or 30 seconds in Giant Slalom (ICR 622.1, 622.2.3). SL starts at irregular intervals, and the next competitor may start before the previous one has crossed the finish line (ICR 805.1).
5.3 Start Order and Bib Numbers
Start order is determined by FIS points ranking in the relevant discipline. A first group of at most the 15 best competitors present is drawn; the remaining competitors start in order of their FIS points, and competitors without FIS points are drawn in the last group (ICR 621.3). 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 (ICR 621.11.2). At FIS races the Jury may reduce the reversal to the first 15 (ICR 621.11.3).
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 shortest imaginary line between the turning pole and the outside pole or gate (ICR 661.4.1, 661.4.1.1, 661.4.1.2). 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 (ICR 706.1). Fastest time wins.
- Super-G: One timed run (ICR 1006). Fastest time wins.
- Giant Slalom: Always decided by two runs; the second run may use the same course but the gates must be reset (ICR 906.1). Lowest combined time wins.
- Slalom: Always decided by two runs on two different courses (ICR 806.1). Lowest combined time wins.
- Alpine Combined: One speed run (Downhill or Super-G) plus one Slalom run (ICR 1101.1). The race times are added together (ICR 1100.7).
- Team Event (Mixed Team Parallel): A parallel event using Giant Slalom gates and panels (ICR 1212.1). Each nation enters at most 6 competitors (ICR 1212.2), and seeded nations meet in heats on a bracket (ICR 1212.5). The winner of each individual leg scores 1 point for their nation; a heat tied on points goes to the nation with the lowest combined time of its best woman and best man (ICR 1212.7).
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 must not continue through further gates (ICR 614.2.2) and is disqualified for not passing through a gate correctly (ICR 629.3).