Category: Banked Slalom

We are presenting the brand new Banked Slalom rules 2019/20! For the information of all of you who are organizing a Banked Slalom event or are considering organizing one and of course for all the riders who intend to take part in one of the events. The current calendar of the WSF Banked Slalom Tour 2019/20 is to be found here.

COURSE:

• The recommended vertical drop shall be a minimum of 50 meters and a maximum of 300 meters.
• The minimum length of the course should ensure that it cannot be completed in less than 30 seconds and not more than 90 seconds for the fastest rider.
• It is recommended that the berms be a minimum of 2 meters wide but may be as wide as needed to control speed.
• The use of dye to improve course visibility is required.

COURSE LAYOUT:

• Banked Slalom will consist of a recommended minimum of 10 berms (shaped turns) designed to control speed and permit a fluid run
• Start area should allow easy entry into the first turn.
• The start ramp should have an inclination of 20 – 30 degrees and offer solid posts to pull from, and a clean entry and view to the 1st turn.
• First gate or berm should be a maximum of 15 meters from the start area, (but not less than 5 meters) to provide a quick entrance into the course.
• It is recommended that the course not favour goofy or regular riders.
• It is recommended that the distance between gates shall be between 15 meters (min.) 25 meters (max).
• It is recommended to have a variety of turn shapes (30-200 degrees) but to establish a consistent turn radius using variety when terrain allows.
• Where applicable between turns course may have a maximum of two rollers in a row to generate speed.
• There may be a maximum of three roller sections in an entire course.
• Course should flow and should be designed in a way to keep riders on the ground.
• It is recommended that the finish line be clearly marked and occur across the fall line either in or as an exit to the last berm.
• Course shall be set with stubbie gates and panels or single bamboo.
• Only the TS and Jury members shall decide if it is necessary to change the setting of the course.
• Upon course completion.
• Jury shall meet to approve the course.
• The course setting should not be changed after the riders have completed training.
• The course shall be set in accordance manner that allows the riders to stay high in the berms with a flat board to generate speed.
• When possible hand work should be done to maintain the course to allow for natural lines in the berms and entrance the ow of the course.

RIDER’S EQUIPMENT:

• Any Snowboard is permitted.
• Speed suits shall not be allowed.
• The use of Certified Snow Sports Helmet is mandatory.

TRAINING / INSPECTION:

• Course inspection shall only occur during the official inspection time.
• During the inspection period riders must slip the course in a controlled manner with no linked turns.
• The riders may go in line in the berm to help groove the line.
• It is recommended that up to two practice runs be provided before the timed runs begin.
• It is permissible to offer additional practice runs on the course for 1-2 days prior to the event.
• The additional practice session must open to all competitors.
• All safety and security measures must be in place before the start of official inspection, practice or training, and approved by the jury.

GATE JUDGES:

An adequate number of gate judges shall be placed to offer a combined view of the entire course. Gate judges must report gate faults on designated cards. Judges shall use flags or hand signals to indicate course holds.

START INTERVAL:

The start interval between competitors shall not be less than 30 seconds, unless shorter interval approved by the Jury. The start interval shall be announced during the Team Captains’/Rider’s’ meeting. A racer may start before the previous racer has completed the course.

START CADENCE:

The Starter shall prepare competitors for their start. Beginning five seconds prior to the start, the Starter shall announce in a smooth- flowing manner the start cadence.
A competitor must start within a window of time, from 5 seconds prior to 5 seconds following the starter’s call of “Go”.

DISQUALIFICATION:

A racer is disqualified if:

• He /she does not correctly pass all gates in the course.
• A rider disqualified for missing a gate in their 1rst run shall be allowed to take a second run.
• Once a rider has disqualified in a run for missing a gate, the rider must exit the course.
• If a rider continues down the course after knowingly missing a gate the rider will not be allowed to take a second run.

RESULTS AT THE FINISH:

Competitor times shall be announced and posted from the first run at the designated scoreboard in the finish arena. Second run times will only be announced at the awards.

OBSTRUCTIONS:

Obstructed competitor must stop and cross arms and not continue down course to be considered for a provisional re-run. A rider finishing the course without stopping shall not be eligible for provisional re-run.

FORMAT:

• Each competitor will start individually.
• Competitors may have as many runs as possible for practice in the time given.
• Race format shall be two, timed runs.
• The start order for both runs shall be the same.
• The fastest single run time counts for final ranking.If weather or other time limits prohibit completion, the 1rst run results may be used to determine the final results.

TIES:

In the timed runs, if a tie cannot be broken amongst the tied competitors to 100th of a second, the tie will be broken by review of the other timed run. The racer with the fastest other time, will be declared the winner of the tie. If neither tied rider completed two runs, the competitor completed the most gates will be ranked better on the result list.