rules to play down hill skiing

Mens and womens alpine skiing both debuted on the Olympic programme in 1936 at Garmisch Partenkirchen. The only event that year was a combined competition of both downhill and slalom. In 1948, this was held along with separate downhill and slalom races. Four years later the giant slalom was added and in 1988 the super giant slalom became a fourth separate event.

A typical course begins at or near the top of the mountain on a piste that is closed off to the public and groomed for the race. Gates are farther apart.The courses in the world's most notable ski areas are well established and do not change significantly year to year.The course is designed to challenge the best skiers in a variety of ways skiing at high speeds, through challenging turns, shallow dips, flats, and small airs (jumps). A good course will have all these elements in it, as well as some jumps intended to complicate matters and thrill both the racer and the spectators.

The only competition change for the 2010 Vancouver Games involves the super combined. The super combined incorporates one run each of downhill and slalom, with medals being awarded to the three fastest racers based on their combined times in the two runs. The predecessor to the super combined the combined incorporated one downhill run and two slalom runs.

In June 2009, the International Ski Federation (FIS) released the quotas which determine the maximum number of Alpine skiers a nation may bring to the 2010 Olympics. The FIS quota is based on performance and depth of field during the 2008 09 season.Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy earned the most spots (22), followed by the United States with 20.Over 300 Alpine skiers are expected to compete in Vancouver.

This sport class is allocated to athletes with an impairment that strongly affects both legs, for example an above knee amputation of both legs or significant muscle weakness in both legs.