Para snowboard words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 37 words · Step 2 of 2

General terms

Competition levels

Level 1 is the Paralympic Winter Games, the FIS World Championships and the World Cup, level 2 the continental cups and the FISU World University Games, and level 3 national championships and FIS races. The level decides which points scale applies.

Age limits

Competitors must have been born in 2011 or earlier in the 2026/27 competition year, and 2012 or earlier in 2027/28. The FIS competition year runs from 1 July to 30 June.

Cup points

World Cup and Continental Cup points of 100 for first, 80, 60, 50, 45 and so on down to 1 for thirtieth. They are awarded only if there are three or more athletes on the start list.

World Cup titles

An event series trophy needs at least three valid competitions in at least two places, and is given in categories with at least six athletes from three national ski associations. The Nations Cup adds the two best results per gender in each individual event and the best team result.

FIS points scales

FIS points are awarded to all ranked competitors except in team events, from a scale that depends on the level. Level 1 uses the 1,000-point scale when four or more athletes start (800, 600 or 500 for three, two or one), level 2 uses scales from 260 to 130 and level 3 a 50-point scale.

Events

Gate

In snowboard cross, giant slalom and banked slalom, a short flexible pole (the turning pole) and a long rigid pole (the outside pole) joined by a triangular flag set at right angles to the racing line. Consecutive gates alternate in colour, except banana gates, which count as one turn.

Sport classes and categories

SB-LL1

The lower-limb sport class for the more severe impairments, such as a single above-knee amputation, a double amputation through or above the ankle, muscle power of 0 to 10 points in one leg (maximum 30) or 0 to 30 in two legs, or hypertonia in both legs.

The ruleWhat are the para snowboard classes?

SB-LL2

The lower-limb sport class for less severe impairments, such as a single amputation through or above the ankle, muscle power of 24 points or less in one leg (maximum 30), or a leg length difference needing a boot correction of at least 7 cm.

The ruleWhat are the para snowboard classes?

SB-UL

The upper-limb sport class, for example a single or double amputation through or above the wrist, or loss of muscle power or range of movement in at least one arm. An athlete with both upper and lower impairments must choose which to be assessed for.

The ruleWhat are the para snowboard classes?

New athlete class

An athlete not yet evaluated has the status New and may only race at levels 2 and 3, in the UL category with an upper-limb impairment or the LL2 category with a lower-limb impairment.

Combined sport classes

Athletes generally race against others in the same sport class, but FIS may name events in which classes race together. The combinations are set in the qualification criteria for each competition.

Sport class change

A change of class during a competition takes effect from the athlete's next race, never between runs or between qualification and finals of the same race. Earlier results stay valid.

Race formats and results

SBX qualification

One rider on the course at a time, over one run, two runs (the best counts) or two runs with a cut-down, in which the top 62.5 per cent of the final field qualify after run one. At the Paralympics and World Championships qualification and finals are on separate days.

Seeding run

A qualification format in which every competitor goes into the finals bracket, including riders with DNS, DSQ or DNF. Those riders are seeded after the lowest-ranked finisher, with ties broken by how far down the course they got.

SBX finals

A single knockout of heats with four (or two) riders each. The finals are based on 32, 16, 8 or 4 athletes, or other numbers the jury decides.

Heat elimination runs

A time trial format in which two riders go in each heat and the faster advances through 1/8 finals, quarter-finals and semi-finals to a big final (first and second) and a small final (third and fourth).

Interference

Contact is normal in snowboard cross. The jury decides whether it was intentional, involuntary (an in-race decision that directly affected another rider) or incidental, using section judges and video. Its decisions cannot be protested and must be made before the next phase.

Gate fault

A rider who misses a gate may not pass further gates and must leave the course. A rider is presumed to know of the fault if two or more gates were passed wrongly or the rider clearly left the correct line.

Re-run

A rider hindered by an official, spectator, animal, fallen rider, first-aid activity or a yellow flag may ask the jury for a re-run, and must leave the course. A re-run counts even if slower.

Ties

In banked slalom a tie is broken by the total time of the two runs, then by the higher start position, and ties for first to third stay tied. In giant slalom the fastest single run decides first.

Starts and rules of the race

Start procedure

The start has push-off posts, and pushing or pulling from the posts is allowed. No outside help is allowed and the starter must not touch the rider. Athletes in the upper-limb class may not use prostheses, hooks or other aids to push or pull from the start unless FIS approves an exception.

Start commands

In timed runs the starter says 'ten seconds', counts 5 to 1 and says 'go', or may say 'rider ready, go'. For finals heats, dual banked slalom and team events the starter calls the heat into the gate, then 'riders ready, attention', and the gates open after a random 1 to 4 seconds, with no coaching at the start.

False start

A rider is disqualified for manipulating the start gates, or when the board (the whole body with a western-style gate) crosses the start line before the final signal. In a timed event with a fixed interval a start is valid within 5 seconds either side of the start time.

Start gate malfunction

If a gate is blocked by a technical fault without the rider touching it, the start is repeated. In snowboard cross the gates must open at the same time and the rider must not be able to push them open.

Training and inspection

Riders inspect the course by sliding down slowly in start numbers and helmets, for at least 15 minutes. At least one training run is required in snowboard cross and banked slalom, usually 1 to 2 hours the day before.

Course testing

Before the event the jury may have the course tested by 3 to 8 riders, chosen by availability, local athletes, ranking and gender, in helmets, with the safety equipment in place.

Team events

Snowboard cross team

Two-rider teams: up to 16 teams per gender, seeded by the sum of their FIS points, with at most one rider per sport class in a men's team. The first riders start together, then the second riders start after the time gap of the first, up to a penalty time, and the first two teams across the line advance.

The ruleHow do para snowboard team events work?

Mixed team

A team of one man and one woman, up to 16 teams, seeded by the sum of their FIS points, with a nation entering at most two.

Inclusive team

A team of one para athlete and one athlete without a disability, either of one gender (inclusive team) or one man and one woman (mixed inclusive team). Up to 16 teams per event, seeded by the sum of FIS points.

Team penalty time

The delay used to start a second rider after the first: 6 per cent of the best individual qualification time (or of the average of the best man's and woman's in a mixed team), at most 3 seconds. The jury may change it between 3 and 7 per cent.

Dual banked slalom team

Two-rider teams racing head to head on the red and blue courses, with the same time-gap start, in 1/8 finals up to a big and a small final. A men's team may have only one LL2 competitor.

Equipment

Snowboard rules

Only snowboards may be used. The minimum width is 14 cm for a gliding surface up to 135 cm and 16 cm above that, the bindings sit diagonally, boots may not overlap, and plates joining both bindings are not allowed in snowboard cross. Poles and any device for balance or speed are not allowed.

Helmet and clothing

A helmet made for the discipline, to a recognised standard, is compulsory, and a full-face helmet is prohibited. Snowboard cross suits must be two pieces, pants and a separate top, with nothing used to tighten them.

Prosthesis (snowboard)

A lower-limb prosthesis must be used with snowboard boots, and the overall length of the limb with the prosthesis may not exceed that of the unaffected limb. For bilateral amputees there are length formulas. An upper-limb prosthesis may not be longer than the unaffected limb with the hand open.

Adaptive equipment registration

National associations must register an athlete's orthosis, prosthetic arm or leg or boot and any other equipment adapted to an activity limitation from the impairment.

Classification

Eligible impairments (para snowboard)

Impairments of the lower limbs or upper limbs: limb deficiency, impaired muscle power, hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis, impaired passive range of movement and leg length difference. Pain, vision impairment, hearing impairment and short stature are not eligible.

Ashworth scale

The scale from 0 (no increase in muscle tone) to 4 (rigid) used for spasticity. The class profiles use grade 2 or more, which is a more marked increase in tone.

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