Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 Gate Faults
- Straddling a gate: Passing with one foot on each side of the turning pole (i.e., not both feet passing on the correct side) results in DSQ.
- Missing a gate: Failing to pass through a gate entirely results in DNF. However, a competitor may hike back up the course and re-pass the missed gate before continuing — the clock continues running during this correction.
- Incorrect gate passage in GS: Both ski tips and both feet must pass between the inner (turning) pair of poles. Passing outside the outer pair constitutes a gate fault (DSQ).
7.2 Start Infractions
- False start: Leaving the start gate before the start signal. The competitor may be recalled and allowed to restart with a time correction, or may be disqualified at the jury's discretion.
- Late start: Failing to leave the start gate within 5 seconds of the start signal. The jury may apply a time penalty or issue a DSQ.
- Missing start time: A competitor who fails to appear at the start within the prescribed time is recorded as DNS.
7.3 Equipment Violations
- Ski length below minimum: DSQ. Equipment is measured with a tolerance of ±1 cm to account for wax and base material.
- Sidecut radius below minimum: DSQ. Radius is measured using certified FIS gauges.
- Speed suit air permeability below 30 l/m²/s: DSQ. Suits are tested before and/or after races using a calibrated permeability meter.
- Boot sole height exceeding limits: DSQ.
- Platform height exceeding 50 mm: DSQ.
- Unapproved helmet: DSQ. The helmet must bear a valid FIS sticker for the current season.
7.4 Conduct Violations
- Receiving outside assistance: Any physical or verbal coaching assistance during a run results in DSQ.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct: Verbal abuse of officials, deliberate obstruction of another competitor, or refusal to submit to equipment checks may result in DSQ, suspension, or further disciplinary action by FIS.
- Doping: Alpine skiing falls under WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) regulations. Violations result in disqualification, result annulment, and suspension per the WADA Code.
7.5 Sanctions and Appeals
The competition jury may impose DSQ, time penalties, or written warnings. Competitors may appeal jury decisions to the FIS Legal & Safety Committee. Repeat offenders may face season-long suspensions or bans from FIS events. Financial penalties may also apply for conduct violations or failure to fulfil media obligations at World Cup events.