What is a yellow card in snowboard cross?
I · Intermediate · Snowboard cross and ski cross · 5 of 6Contact is part of cross racing, but the jury punishes interference such as pushing, pulling, blocking or hitting from behind. Sanctions run from an official warning to ranked as last (RAL), a yellow card or a red card. A red card means disqualification and a ban from the next event of that type. Interference decisions cannot be protested.
How it works
- Kinds: intentional, involuntary and incidental (accidental).
- Actions: pushing, pulling or blocking with hands or arms; contact from the side or behind; line deviation.
- Warning: for minor cases.
- RAL: ranked last in the heat and the round.
- Yellow card: also RAL; it stays for the season.
- Red card: disqualified and banned from the next event of that category.
- Evidence: section judges, coaches' video and TV replay.
- No protest: jury decisions on interference are final.
The glossary has the interference, the cross sanctions, the RAL, DNF and DNS, the heat (cross), the video review and the snowboard cross and ski cross.
Tricky cases
Can a rider who was fouled get a re-run in a heat?
No. Re-runs are not granted only because of interference; the offender is sanctioned instead.
Does a yellow card carry over to the next event?
Yes. It stays with the rider for the whole season in that category.
Can a rider ask for a review?
Yes, in the finish area straight after the heat.
When must the sanction be announced?
Before the next heat starts, or before the awards.
Why the rule exists
Rough racing is part of cross, so only fouls that change a result are punished. Cards that carry through a season deter repeat offenders.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Snowboard cross | Warning, RAL, yellow, red | ICR 5404.2 |
| Ski cross | Warning, yellow and red cards | ICR 7404.2 |
| Timed runs | Report to the section judge | ICR 5403.3.4.1 |
From the rule book
FIS, ICR Book VI: Snowboard / Freestyle / Freeski / Ski Cross (edition June 2026), rules 5404 and 7404. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the FIS ICR and the FIS judges' handbooks, updated each season.