Super-G (Super Giant Slalom)
Super giant slalom better known in its abbreviated form Super-G, is a sport of the alpine skiing discipline in which the objective is similar to that of giant slalom, which is to go through a fixed set of gates. The gates in Super-G are farther apart than they are on giant slalom courses.
The main difference between Super-G and Giant Slalom is that giant slalom is a technical event whereas Super-G is a speed event. Super-G races are conducted mostly on the same slopes in which downhill races are conducted, but a much lower starting point is used. For safety, minimum ski lengths of 205cm for men and 200cm for women are enforced.
In races, only one run is allowed for each rider down the course. All runs are timed. Competitions are conducted in a rounds format, in which, skiers are eliminated based on their finish times until the final medal round. As in other slalom races, if a skier misses any of the gates they are disqualified.
Super-G has been a part of the Winter Olympics since 1988 with medal events for both men and women. It debuted in the World Cup in 1983 followed by inclusion in the World Championships in 1987.
Similar Sports
- Slalom Skiing — an alpine skiing discipline that involves skiing downhill through gates, with the gates closer together therefore tighter turns than in Giant Slalom or Super-G.
- Giant Slalom — downhill skiers have to navigate through a fixed set of gates, spaced farther apart than in Slalom though not as much as in Super-G, therefore medium-sized turns.
- Downhill Skiing — participants slide down a snow-covered hill using skis with fixed bindings.
Related Pages
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports
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