Para-Alpine Skiing

Para-alpine skiing is a Paralympic sport which is an adaptation of alpine skiing for athletes with disabilities like cerebral palsy, spinal injuries, amputations and visual impairments. The sport consists of five main disciplines and team events: slalom, giant slalom, downhill, super-G and super combined. Athletes combine speed and agility while skiing down slopes and can reach speeds around 100km/h. Skiers with visual impairments are guided by sighted guides through the course. The sport has its root at the end of Second World War which produced a large no. of injured soldiers who showed interest in skiing despite their disabilities. The first recorded championships of the sport took place in Austria in 1948 and since 1950, competitions have been held around the world. The sport was included at the first Paralympics in 1976 with its two disciplines- slalom and giant slalom. The world championships of the sport were first held in 1974 in France.