Giant slalom skiing

Giant slalom is an alpine skiing discipline. It involves skiing between sets of poles ("gates") spaced at a greater distance to each other than in slalom but not as great as in super G. The number of gates in this event ranges from 56 to 70 for men and from 46 to 58 for women.

Giant slalom and slalom make up the "technical events" in alpine ski racing. This category separates them from the "speed events" like super G and downhill.

The number of direction changes in a GS course equals 11% - 15% of the vertical drop of the course in meters, 13% - 15% for children. The vertical drop for a GS course must be 250 - 400 meters for women, 250 - 450 meters for men. (Source: http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/ICR04.pdf, p. 81). As an example, on a 300 m vertical course, there would be between 33 and 45 direction changes for an adult race.

Giant slalom skis

Giant slalom skis are longer than slalom skis, but not as long as super G and downhill skis.

In an attempt to increase safety, the 2003–2004 season saw the FIS increase the minimum sidecut radius for giant slalom skis to 21 meters and impose minimum ski lengths for the first time: 185 cm for men and 180 cm for women. A maximum stand height (the distance from the snow to the sole of the boot) of 55 millimeters was also established for all disciplines.

In May 2006, the FIS announced further changes to the rules governing equipment. Beginning with the 2007–2008 season, the minimum radius for GS skis will be 27 meters for men and 23 meters for women. Additionally, the minimum ski width at the waist will be increased from 60 to 65 millimeters, and the maximum stand height for all disciplines will be reduced to 50 millimeters. [http://www.skiracing.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3821&Itemid=2]

ee also

* Parallel giant slalom, a snowboard discipline
*List of Olympic medalists in men's giant slalom
*List of Olympic medalists in women's giant slalom
*List of World Champions in giant slalom
*Slalom
* Super giant slalom (super G)
*Downhill
*Combined
*Skiing and skiing topics