Para snowboard is practised worldwide by racing down a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard. It features three disciplines: banked slalom (single and dual), and snowboard-cross.

 

Competition includes athletes with a physical impairment classified on their functional ability. Snowboarders use equipment that is adapted to their needs including snowboard and orthopaedic aids.

 

There are two formats of single banked slalom. The classic format where each athlete completes several runs with their best run determining the final order based on increasing time. The elimination run format is a new banked slalom format where athletes take two qualification runs, and the best 4 or 8 athletes advance to the finals where athletes are paired in brackets. In finals, athletes compete against each other, and the athlete with the best time advances to the next round until a winner has been established. In both formats, only one athlete is on the course at a time. The course may have a medium-pitched slope and is ideally a naturally variable terrain with lots of bumps and dips. There are snowbanks at the gate and the athlete chooses the best path. The dual banked slalom format is similar to the single banked slalom elimination run format, but athletes compete on two parallel courses, that are identical to each other, but shorter than the single banked slalom course.

 

Snowboard cross includes a qualification round and head-to-head competition. During qualification, each athlete completes one or two runs, and the best run determines their qualification ranking based on increasing time. In head-to-head competitions, athletes are placed in brackets according to their qualification time, with four competitors competing against each other in each heat. In timed events, athletes compete one at a time.

 

In giant slalom each athlete makes two runs, and the combined time determines the final ranking. Only one athlete is on the course at a time. The course generally features a medium-pitched slope, but preferably with different pitches. It should be well groomed, and the snow should be compact.

 

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) is the global governing body of Para snowboard. Ski Association of Hong Kong, China Limited is the member of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation in Hong Kong, China.
 

 

Source of information credit: International Paralympic Committee

Source of photo credit: International Paralympic Committee