How an alpine race works

1. Racers ski down the course one at a time, against the clock. Nobody races side by side in the main events.
2. The course is marked by gates. Both ski tips and both feet must cross each gate line; a racer who misses a gate is disqualified.
3. There are four main events, from the fast downhill to the tight, technical slalom, with super-G and giant slalom in between.
4. The fastest time wins. Giant slalom and slalom are always two runs, with the two times added; the top 30 after the first run start the second in reverse order, so the leader goes last.

The clock

The clock starts as the racer's leg crosses the start line and stops at the finish line.