How to Participate in Nordic Skiing for the Blind

Nordic or cross country skiing has long been popular in Europe and is a growing sport in the United States. The same is true of Nordic skiing for the blind and partially sighted. Skiers participate in Nordic skiing for the blind in national and international competition (including the Paralympic Games). This is a grueling aerobic sport with races that range from 2.5 to 20 kilometers in length, although many skiers also enjoy cross country skiing as recreation. The following guide explains how to participate in Nordic skiing for the blind according to the rules of the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) and the International Paralympic Committee.

Things You'll Need

• Skis
• Ski poles
• Blackout goggles (B1 class only)
• Sighted guide (optional for Paralympic B3 class)
• Radio or sound amplification for sighted guide (optional)
• Identification bib (sighted guide)
• Rifle support (biathlon only)
• Light-to-sound telescopic sight (biathlon only, optional)
• Appropriate clothing

Instructions

1. Know the International Skiing Federation (FIS) rules. All international Nordic skiing for the blind follows these rules except for the specific accommodations described in this article. Skiers are divided into three classes, B1 (no useful vision), B2 (minimal useful vision) and B3 (some useful vision). In international competition a sighted guide is required (except for B3 class competition in the Paralympic Games, where a guide is optional).

2. Have the guide start at the same time as the skier. The guide can lead, follow, or ski on a parallel track (if available). For identification purposes the guide wears a bib with the same number as the skier he is guiding. Also fro identification purposes, B1 skiers are required to wear blacked-out goggles.

3. Communicate by voice instruction only. The guide and skier may use a radio or voice amplifier to ensure clear communication. Otherwise, the skier can receive no assistance once the race has started and must follow regular FIS international competition rules, with two exceptions (see Step 4).

4. Avoid any physical contact except as follows. In the event of a fall, the guide may assist the skier in finding and recovering lost skis or poles, but may provide no other assistance. In Paralympic competition no other contact is allowed. In other international competition the guide may hold the skiers arm to provide added guidance on designated parts of the course only.

5. Follow the special rules for shooting that apply to competition in the biathlon. In Nordic skiing for the blind the biathlon is a shortened course of three circuits of a 2.5 kilometer course with stops to fire five shots at a target at the end of the first and second circuits. A one-minute time penalty is added to the skier’s time for each miss. In Paralympic competition there is no time penalty. Instead the skier must ski one circuit of a 150 meter penalty loop for each missed shot. Step 6 describes the accommodations allowed blind and partially sighted biathlon skiers.

6. Have the rifle loaded by the designated loader (rifles must be unloaded during the skiing parts of the race). The race officials give the skier information on wind conditions and relay the results of each shot. Otherwise, the sighted guide cannot assist the skier and must remain behind a designated line until all the shots have been taken. Race organizers provide a regulation rifle support that helps the skier line up on the target. Finally, a special telescopic sight that converts images into audio signals may be used. This device emits a sound that varies in tone or volume as the skier lines up on the target. No other accommodations are normally allowed.

Tips & Warnings

• People who participate in Nordic skiing for the blind have a growing number of opportunities to do so both as serious competitors and purely for recreation. To find out about events and organizations, click on the “Ski for Light” link below. Ski for Light is an umbrella non-profit organization that promotes cross country skiing for the blind in the United States ad Canada.

Resources

• Ski for Light
• IBSA Nordic skiing rules