A simple guide…!
Races
Slalom
Most technical race format with single blue and red gates (poles) set close together requiring short quick turns to get down the course. Short skis are used. Most slalom races will have two runs with a combined time for the two.
Giant Slalom (GS)
A faster format than the slalom with more space between gates. The GS has blue and red double gates with a banner keeping them together. Like Slalom, most races will have two runs with a combined time for the two.
Super G
Even faster with blue and red gates. Not appropriate for young skiers because of the fast speeds. Longer skis are used for stability at high speeds.
Downhill
The longest and fastest race format and often considered the Blue Riband event in Alpine Skiing. Single red gates are set far apart down a 2+KM course with racers reaching speeds of over 100mph.
Parallel/Dual Slalom
A Slalom race where two identical courses are set next to each other and racers compete to be first through the finish line to advance to the next stage. It can be an individual or team event and usually great fun!
Kombi
A combination of the slalom and GS formats with a mixture of gates designed for Children and Bairns to develop all round skills. There might be other fun challenges thrown in such as jumps and rollers to make it more fun!
Age groups – Winter Season 2020-2021
| Race Category | YoB | License? | Race Category | YoB | License? |
| BAIRNS U8 | 2013 and later | x | U18 | 2003-2004 | ✓ |
| BAIRNS U10 | 2011-2012 | x | U21 | 2000-2002 | ✓ |
| BAIRNS U12 | 2009-2010 | x | SENIOR | 1991 – 1999 | ✓ |
| CHILDREN U14 | 2007-2008 | ✓ | MASTER | 1990 and older | ✓ |
| CHILDREN U16 | 2005-2006 | ✓ |
Race Licences
All competitors 12 and above are required to register for a race license from our home nation governing body Snowsport Scotland (SSS). This applies to all seed races (FIS, BASS and BARTS) and provides the competitor with race insurance.
The BASS rules can catch people out, as do the rules about SSS competitor membership.
In order to compete in a BASS race you need to be a ‘competitor member’ of Snowsport Scotland. This gives you what is known as a BASS license ie a licence to race in BASS categorised races . You do NOT need one of these before you leave Bairns category (ie age under 12 ) unless you are racing abroad.
Click here to register. Don’t leave this until the last minute as it takes some time to process and can delay your entry to a race.
Seeding
Seeding is how all racers are ranked, based on previous race performances with points allocated to them. This allows race organisers to check the racers eligibility and to determine the race start order.
The lower a competitor’s seed points, the better a performer they are.
Seeding varies depending on the event
BASS On snow events
BARTS Dry slope and indoor events
Equipment
The rules can be quite stringent. Once you are no longer a Bairn U12 the specifications for the length, radius and sidecut of the ski and the height under foot (binding, plate and ski) are regulated.
Click here to download the equipment regulations from GBski
Talk to your coach well in advance to check what equipment you need for racing, as this changes once you are no longer a Bairn.
Race day – What to expect?
Race day – What to expect?
Race Day is an exciting day for the Trainees, Parents & Coaches. Participating in Races allows the Trainees to challenge themselves using their skills that they have developed during training. Race Day is a fun and organised environment where the racer and their friends have the opportunity to race on timed courses while allowing them to measure their performance. Each Race will consist of usually a minimum of two runs on the day for the individual racer.
This is an outline guide for all Racers & Parents to how Race Day is usually planned…
Read more about race day from Jules Jennings, Coach and former Coaching Trustee of CSC