What is a red card in snowboard cross?
I · Intermediate · Racing · 1 of 4Contact is normal in snowboard cross, but the jury judges interference as intentional, involuntary or incidental, using section judges and video. Sanctions rise from a warning, to ranked as last, to a yellow card that ends the rider's day, to a red card that disqualifies and bans them from the next competition. Decisions cannot be protested.
How it works
- Contact: normal in SBX.
- Categories: intentional, involuntary, incidental.
- Evidence: section judges, video.
- Warning: minor, not severe.
- RAL: ranked last in the heat.
- Yellow card: RAL, out of the competition.
- Red card: DSQ and next competition missed.
- Second warning: a yellow card.
The glossary has the interference, the SBX finals, the snowboard cross, the gate fault, the false start and the re-run.
Tricky cases
Can a rider protest an interference call?
No.
Does a yellow card last beyond the day?
Yes, all season in that category.
An RAL in a semi-final. Can the rider start the next round?
Yes.
When must the jury decide?
Before the next phase starts.
Why the rule exists
Grading by intent and harm keeps close racing legal while stopping deliberate blocking.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow card | Out of the event | R 1408.7.4.5 |
| Red card | Next event missed | R 1408.7.4.6 |
| Protest | Not allowed | R 1408.7.1 |
From the rule book
FIS, International Competition Rules, Para Snowboard (July 2026), article 1408.7. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: FIS ICR Para Snowboard and Para Snowboard Classification Rules.