IPC/FIS Alpine Skiing

1. IPC/FIS Alpine Skiing

2. June 2006 Structure and Rules

3. To accomplish the tasks and responsibilities for the management of Alpine and Nordic Skiing for skiers with a disability as per the IPC Handbook. To delegate practical tasks of the organisation of competitions to the Competition Working Groups for Alpine and Nordic Skiing. To appoint officials to competitions (IPC TD) [delegated to the FIS Alpine TD Subcommittee]. To draft agreements with competition organisers. To develop the sport. IPC Sports Assembly Executive Committee (SAEC) Alpine and Nordic Skiing

4. To prepare rules for Disabled Skiing, adapted from the FIS ICR 300 Articles (Cross-Country) and 600 (Alpine Skiing) with additional rules for athletes with a disability. To prepare specific rules for any Series (World Cup, etc.). To operate points/ranking systems for all skiing competitions for the Disabled. To establish calendar of events. To create pathways to develop the sport. IPC Competition Working GroupsAlpine and Nordic Skiing

5. The FIS Sub-Committee is a group of members proposed by their National Ski Association that are also members of the respective IPC Alpine Skiing and IPC Nordic Skiing Committees and comprising a chairperson, two (2) members each for Alpine and Nordic Skiing and other FIS disciplines co-opted as its development progresses. The FIS Sub-committee was officially established under the structure mentioned above in May 2004. FIS Sub-Committee for Skiers with a Disability(liaison group)

6. To serve as a liaison between IPC and FIS in order for the members to attend meetings of the FIS Technical Committees and follow developments within FIS in areas such as rules, equipment,Technical Delegate (TD) education, etc. and will report back to the respective IPC Committee and their Competition Working Groups. To liaise with FIS TD Sub-Committees for the assignment of FIS TD at Disabled competitions and to collaborate in an exchange programme offering FIS TD the opportunity to participate in IPC activities. To maintain contact with the FIS Office (Headquarters) for obtaining existing FIS technical documentation, such as checklists and FIS rules. The FIS Sub-Committee’s role

7. Disabled Classes & Categories Categories Classes Blind Skiers B1-B3 Sitting Skiers LW10-LW12 Standing Skiers LW1-LW9 Please see the handout for an explanation of the Classes

8. IPC Alpine Skiing Rule Book To be used in combination with the FIS Alpine ICR as approved during FIS - Congress Vilamoura (POR) 2006. Valid until 1 October 2007

9. Section 1. Regulations200 Rules : Joint Regulations for all Competitions This rules go in accordance with the IPC Handbook, therefore any change has to be approved by the IPC.

10. ASD License 203.1. Every athlete has to pay the ASD license fee of EUR 50.00 per season by 1 October. For the Southern Hemisphere the deadline is 1 July. When paying after these deadlines, the fee is EUR 100.00. After paying the ASD license fee, the athlete will be included in the ASD Points List for the Disabled. The race season starts on 1 May and ends on 30 April the following year. Each athlete in a B sport class is required to pay the ASD license fee of EUR 100.00 per season by 1 October. This amount includes payment for the athlete’s Guide. For the Southern Hemisphere the deadline is 1 July. When paying after these deadlines, the fee is EUR 200.00.

11. Section 2. 600 Rules : Rules Common to Alpine Events These rules are subject to change.

12. 613 Start 613.3 Addendum: “...An athlete with a disability must put his poles or stabilizers in front of the start line or where indicated (except for sit-skier) and can quickly reach full speed after leaving the start only with the help of poles or stabilizers! The stabilizers or poles must be in a fixed position on the snow before the start. Only one push before the start gate is allowed for sit-skiers, no running start is allowed.” 613.5 Addendum: “...his leg below the knee except for sit-skier (start gate height for sit-skier is 80 cm).” 613.8 Specification of the Start Gate The start gate must be adjustable from 40 cm height for standing athletes to 80 cm height for sit-skiers. The distance between the start posts for sit-skiers must be 80 cm.

13. 613.9 Addendum ... Start adaptations for athletes with a visual impairment: In the B-classes the guide cannot pass through the starting gate. The start area includes an adequate space for the guide, always in relation to the first gate of the course. The space should be equal to the start position and with the same elevation as the competitor. The start ramp shall be prepared in such a way that the guide can stand relaxed on the starting line and can quickly reach full speed after leaving the start.

14. 617 Calculations and Announcement of Results 617.3.1 Addendum: ... been officially scored and calculated by the IPC factor-system factor (please refer to Section 3, Rule 1271). 617.3.2 Addendum: ... (PWG, WSCD by adding the race time)

15. 621 Group Draw and Starting Order 621.3.2 Starting order for athletes with a disability - Starting order for categories for slalom is: Visually impaired, Standing, Sitting. - Starting order for categories for Giant slalom, Super-G’s and Downhill is: Visually impaired, Sitting, Standing. - The medal events by category (Visually impaired, Sitting, Standing) at the Paralympic Winter Games will be held on alternating days follows: men and women in the standing sport classes contested on one day and sitting and visually impaired sport classes contested on another. Depending on the course setting requirements and in accordance with the timelines established by the IPC, IPC Alpine Skiing will determine the appropriate competition schedule for the events. Additionally the FIS ICR rule 621.3 is used.

16. 621.10Starting Order for the Second Run. 621.10.5 80 % Rule. If 120 or more athletes are on the start list in a given category during the first run (Visually Impaired, Standing and Sitting), then the 80% rule is used to determine which athletes qualify for the second run in the Slalom and Giant Slalom. The calculation used to determine which athletes qualify for the second run is the athletes in the top 80% according to their result in the 1st run (rounded up) qualify for the second run. In the case that by implementing the 80% rule, a category has less than ten (10) athletes, all athletes in the first run will qualify for the second run with the starting order being reversed.

17. 622. Start Intervals. 622.1 Regular Intervals The start can take place in each discipline at variable intervals. The chiefs of timing and calculation or special assistants tell the starter when each competitor should start, in agreement with the jury. The competitor on the course does not need to cross the finish before the next competitor starts. The exception is class B1 which must nearly complete the entire course.

18. 660. Gate Judge Instructions. 661.2Addendum ...If an athlete or guide. 661.4.1 Addendum ...except athlete with one ski (LW 2, LW 10-12, LW 9/1 – Athlete with one leg, amputated above the knee and stabilizers) 661.4.2 Addendum: ...except athlete with one ski (LW 2, LW 10-12, LW 9/1 – Athlete with one leg, amputated above the knee and stabilizers)

19. Section 3. Particular rules for the Different Disciplines These rules are subject to change.

20. 700. Downhill. 701.1Addendum: ...For PWG, WSCD, World Cups for the Disabled and Continental Cups for the Disabled Men and Women: - 500 to 800 m vertical drop. 702.3 Addendum: ...Multiple jumps and multiple compressions must be eliminated, where practical (Sit- and Visually Impaired Skiers). 703.1.2 Addendum: ...Multiple jumps and multiple compressions must be eliminated, where practical (Sit- and Visually Impaired Skiers).

21. 800. Slalom. 800.1.1 Men and Women: - 120 - 200m vertical drop - IPC Alpine Skiing recommends that slalom poles with a diameter of 27mm are used for slalom races for athletes with a disability. 1000. Super-G. 1000.1.3 Addendum:...Multiple jumps and multiple compressions must be eliminated, where practical (sit- and Visually Impaired skiers). Additionally, an organiser should provide the best possible snow conditions to ensure fair competition for all athletes. The FIS ICR – 703.2 applies.

22. 1270. Participation in IPC Competitions. 1270.4 For World Cup Speed and Combined Disciplines for the Disabled, the athlete must be below 100 ASD points from the Downhill ASD list or Super-G ASD lists. For World Cup Technical Disciplines for the Disabled, the athlete must be below 100 ASD points as indicated on the Slalom ASD Points List to compete in a slalom event and below 100 ASD points on the Giant Slalom ASD Points List to compete in a Giant Slalom event. Each athlete should be internationally classified before starting at a World Cup, PWG and WSCD. If the jury is uncertain of the athlete’s classification and the athlete has not been internationally classified the athlete must start in the higher class. A hosting nation of a World Cup may apply three (3) months before the race to the IPC Alpine Skiing for a maximum of six (6) wildcards in technical events (Slalom and Giant Slalom). IPC Alpine Skiing has granted all countries in the Asian region a wild card quota of six (6) athletes in the technical events for the Asian World Cups during 2005-2006 only.

23. 1270.5 For Paralympic Games and World Championships Speed and Combined Disciplines for the Disabled, the athlete must be below 120 ASD Points from the Downhill ASD list or Super-G ASD list. For Paralympic Games and World Championships Technical Disciplines for the Disabled, the athlete must be below 120 ASD points from the Slalom ASD list or Giant Slalom ASD list. 1270.6 For Technical Events (PWG and WSCD) countries are allowed two (2) wildcards per country.

24. Section 4. Special Rules These rules are subject to change.

25. 1210. Combined Competitions. 1210.1.1 Addendum ...for Disabled Races a Super-G and one run Slalom . 1260. ASD Points. 1260.3 Use of the ASD Points ASD Points will be calculated per category (the average of the best two results per discipline) from the last eight (8) race points, maximum eighteen (18) months back and minimum 15 months back. 1260.4 The combined ASD points for the disabled athletes will be calculated (the average of the best two results of all disciplines) from the last eight (8) race points per discipline, maximum eighteen (18) months back and minimum 15 months back.

26. Participation in IPC Competitions 1270.4 World Cup Speed and Combined Disciplines for the Disabled the athlete must be below100 ASDpoints from the Downhill ASD list or Super-G ASD lists. World Cup Technical Disciplines for the Disabled the athlete must be below100 ASDpoints from the Slalom ASD list and Giant Slalom ASD list. Each athlete should be internationally classified before starting at a World Cup, PWG and WSCD. If the jury is uncertain of the athlete’s classification and the athlete has not been internationally classified the athlete must start in the higher class. A hosting nation of a World Cup may applythreemonths before the race to the Alpine Committee fora maximum of 6 wildcards in technical events (SL/GS)..

27. Special Rules for Visually impaired Athletes 1312.1 In all B-classes the athlete and his/her guide are a team. Therefore, visually disabled athletes and their guides will be trained and entered by their NPC or recognized FIS National Ski Association. 1312.2 For all B-classes the use of a guide is obligatory. 1312.3 Guidance must be by voice and/or radio communication. Voice amplification between guide and athlete is accepted. No other means of communication is allowed during alpine races. 1312.4 No physical contact between the guide and athlete is allowed during the race. 1312.5 All athletes in class B1 must wear blacked-out goggles during the competition. The model of the blacked-out goggles is optional, but they must be tested and passed by the jury. 1312.6 Athletes and their guides are permitted to sideslip or snow plough at low speed, through the gates, during the official inspection, if approved by the jury. 1312.7 In the case that a guide is sanctioned, the same provisions governing athlete sanctions apply.

28. Guides 1313.1 The guide must guide the athlete from in front for B2 and B3. For B1 the guide can guide from in front or behind, passing between the last gate and finish line is allowed. 1313.2 The distance between the guide and athlete in technical events (Slalom and Giant Slalom) must not exceed two direction changes and in speed events (Downhill and Super-G) must not exceed one direction change. Failure to satisfy this definition of the team will lead to disqualification. 1313.3 The guide must pass through all gates. 1313.4 All guides must wear competition bibs. The guide bibs must meet the following specifications: - be fluorescent orange - have a “G” in front and in the back of the bib according to the size prescribed by the IPC Alpine Skiing.

29. The front of the guide bib must not be covered during competition; however the back may be a different colour to accommodate the needs of the visually impaired athlete. A set of guide bibs can be provided by the IPC Alpine Skiing Committee to organizers if requested no later than one month before the competition. If guide bibs are lost or damaged a fee of 100.00 Euros will be charged to organizers by the IPC Alpine Skiing. 1313.5 In the event of a guide’s injury or illness, the athlete is permitted to change his/her guide. Such changes must be approved by the jury. MICROPHONES Public address systems, snow machines or other noise must be kept to a minimum at the start, finish and on the entire race course so all athletes with a visual impairment can hear their guide.

30. Rules for Alpine Competition Equipment valid for Season 2006/07 Tolerances: Measurement of ski lengths – 1 cm Ski lengths for diabled athletes – 5 cm

31. HANDICAP SYSTEM ALPINE SKIING & FACTOR RESTORATION 2006/2007

32. Over the past years the sport of alpine skiing for the disabled has developed rapidly. Reasons included an increased number of people possessing a variety disabilities practicing skiing leading to an increasing number of classes. The variety of classes and increased number of participants made competitions in Skiing almost impossible to manage (determining correct classes, occurrence of many small classes with too few competitors etc.), thus it became more and more difficult to find organizers to run skiing events for disabled athletes.

33. It was felt necessary to create a fair system in which different disability classes could be combined leading to only one combined result list. • Various handicap systems were created all over the world.All of them attempting to reach the same goal: To offer the fairest competition in alpine skiing for the disabled. • One group which shared this interest was the Alpine Cup Committee which was founded in 1990. Within this group the idea was developed to create a system for all disability classes within the categories amputees, blind and wheelchair users, the so called RHC-System (realistic-handicap-competition-system).

34. Later Niko Moll from Germany announced that he had already invented this system which he called : KREK-System (Kreative Renn Ergebnis Kontrolle = creative race result control). After extensive discussions and to avoid further confrontation the Committee decided to combine the RHC-System and the KREK-System. In 2004 a Working Group was created to help develop the System. 2006 PWG where run using the Category System.

35. In disabled skiing 16 disability classes per gender exist. The handicap system has been developed to ensure that these classes are as justly as possible combined in a 3 category system. Key words: class = disabled class category = different classes combined per category: blind skiers: B1-B3 (3 classes) sitting skiers: LW10-LW12 (4 classes) standing skiers: LW 1-LW9 (9 classes) handicap system= RHC-KREK-System

36. Disability Classes & Categories Classes Categories Disabled Classes & Categories Blind Skiers Categories Classes Blind Skiers B1-B3 Sitting Skiers LW10-LW12 Standing Skiers LW1-LW9 Sitting Skiers Please see the handout for an explanation of the Classes Standing Skiers

37. The factoris calculated as follows: The fastest time in the fastest class is divided by the fastest time of the class to be evaluated. The average of the factors of all international competition results over the period 1976-1991 was used as the basis factor. Adjustment/Restoration: Every year during the spring FIS meeting, the factor is adjusted based on the racing results of World Cups/World Championships/Paralympic Games and published on the homepage (www.asdracing.org). The IPC-Committee Alpine Skiing reserves the right to make corrections/ adjustments during the running season, in case of extraordinary circumstances. The adjustment does not create a situation that a former first ranked is ranked lower but allows a narrowing of distances between ranked athletes (per adjustment app. 15% time difference) thus gradually leading to the best factor.

38. Scoring time: In general each racing time of an athlete is multiplied with the handicap factor of his respective class. This results in a handicap time or scoring time for each athlete within a category. In races with two heats/ runs the scoring times of both races are added. For each disabled class and each discipline (DH, SG, GS, SL), there is a so called basis factor; under which is understood a weighting factor by which the race time is multiplied, to arrive at the actual finish time to be counted in the results. The highest possible basis factor is 1.0 and is attributed to the fastest class. The basis factors have been determined through the results over the last 15 years with a rising value tendency towards the most recent season. The weighting factors are dynamic, they are annually revised

39. 2006-2007 • No restoration. • the Paralympic Games will be used for the restoration Hand Correction of the factors: Slalom B1 + 0,04 LW 9-1 + 0,04 Giant Slalom B1 + 0,02 LW 9-1 + 0,04 Super G B1 + 0,05 LW 9-1 + 0,02 Downhill B1 + 0,02 LW 9-1 + 0,01

40. Please refer to these websites for all information regarding Alpine Disabled Skiing www.asdracing.org www.paralympic.org

41. Thank you for supporting Disabled Alpine Skiing!