How to Compete in Alpine Skiing for the Blind and Partially Sighted

Alpine skiing is a popular sport for blind and partially sighted people, both for recreation and as a way of gaining the confidence to meet other challenges in life. The best of these skiers regularly compete in Alpine skiing events, and blind Alpine skiing is part of the Paralympics. Competitions include the same events (for example, slalom and giant slalom) that sighted skiers participate in. Race courses are modified only to exclude serious obstacles such as multiple jumps. Blind and partially sighted skiers compete in three classes, depending on how much vision they have. Here you will find a way to compete to guide someone through competition, no matter what level they are at.

Things You'll Need

• Appropriate Clothing
• Crash Helmet
• Goggles (these must be blacked out for entirely blind skiers)
• Shin Guards
• Ski Boots
• Ski Poles
• Skis
• Sighted Guide
• Voice Amplification System or Radio (optional)

Instructions

1. Start the race to one side of the starting gate if you are guiding a blind skier. You should be close enough to quickly move into a position where you can direct the blind skier. The guide may not accompany the skier through the starting gate and normally will have his or her own designated starting point.

2. Ski ahead of the competing skier if you are the guide in B2 or B3 (partially sighted) class competition. You may ski either ahead of or behind the competing skier in B1 (entirely blind) competition.

3. Use only voice instructions for communication. A voice amplification system or radio may be used. The guide may not provide any other assistance or come into physical contact with the blind skier during the race.

4. Pass through each of the gates on the race course. Except for the starting gate, race rules require that both the skier and the guide pass through each gate

5. Remain no more than two turns ahead of the blind or partially sighted skier. In order to negotiate the course successfully, turns must be made at certain points. If the guide is following a B1 class blind skier, he or she must stay within one turn of the competing skier.

6. Stay in position either ahead of or behind the skier until both have passed through the final gate on the course. The guide and the skier are not allowed to pass each other once the race has started.

Tips & Warnings

• A guide and a blind or partially sighted skier should train together in order to develop good communication. The ability to communicate instructions quickly and clearly is essential to successful competition in blind and partially sighted Alpine skiing events.

• A guide is required, but it is common to see the guide assist an inexperienced blind or partially sighted person by holding hands or a ski pole to provide added guidance.

• Don't begin your journey until you have established full and complete communication with one another.