Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 Snowboard Cross Contact Rules
- Official warning (WRG): For an intentional action with involuntary interference, or an unintentional action with accidental interference, where the consequence is not severe (ICR 5404.2.1.3). A second warning in the same competition becomes a Yellow Card (ICR 5404.3.1).
- RAL: For an unintentional action causing accidental interference with severe consequences. The rider is ranked last in the heat and of the round (ICR 5404.2.1.4).
- Yellow card (RAL): For an intentional action with intentional or involuntary interference where the consequence is not severe. The rider is ranked last in their heat and relegated to the last position of the round, and the card stays for the season in that category (ICR 5404.2.1.5). Two yellow cards in a season mean suspension from the next competition in the same category (ICR 5404.3.2).
- Red card (DSQ): For intentional action and intentional interference with severe consequences. The rider is disqualified from the whole competition, listed as DSQ without a ranking, and suspended from the next competition in that category (ICR 5404.2.1.6).
- Review: The Jury may use section judges' recommendations and video evidence (ICR 5404.1). A post-race panel may mitigate a sanction, but the result and ranking stay unchanged (ICR 5404.3.5).
7.2 Gate Violations
- SBX: A rider who does not pass a gate correctly receives a DNF and may not continue through further gates (ICR 5401.3).
- PGS: A gate is passed correctly when at least the front foot is fixed in the bindings and the entire board crosses the gate line outside the turning pole (ICR 6401.1). In a two-run final, a rider disqualified or not finishing in the first run starts the second run with the penalty time. A rider disqualified or not finishing in the second run is eliminated (ICR 6504.3.2.4).
7.3 Equipment Violations
The Jury may disqualify or sanction a competitor who does not wear an acceptable helmet or the official start number, or who violates any FIS equipment rule (ICR 2025.4). Boards shorter than the minimum (PGS) and missing leashes are equipment violations.
7.4 General Infractions
- Not being ready to start on time, or making a false start, can be sanctioned by the Jury (ICR 2024.5, 2024.6).
- Unsportsmanlike conduct or verbal abuse: yellow card, disqualification, or suspension at the jury's discretion.
- Doping: per FIS Anti-Doping Rules and WADA Code. Violations result in disqualification and suspension.
- Protests: Protests must be submitted in writing with a CHF 100 deposit, which is returned if the protest is upheld (ICR 2026.4.1, 2026.4.4). Jury decisions on SBX in-race interference cannot be protested or appealed (ICR 5613).