Super Giant Slalom skiing
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The Super Giant Slalom is an alpine skiing discipline. It is usually referred to as Super G and is considered a "speed" discipline along with Downhill (the "technical" disciplines are giant slalom and slalom).
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[edit] Definition
Super G incorporates aspects of both downhill and giant slalom racing. It involves skiing between widely spaced gates as in Giant Slalom, but with fewer turns over a longer course and with higher speeds approaching those achieved in Downhill. The minimum number of gates is 35 for men and 30 for women. Super G skiers will often assume the "tuck" position as in Downhill, but will continue turning constantly as in Giant Slalom, rarely encountering the periodic straight "gliding" sections of a Downhill course. Super G courses in international competition must be at least one minute in length and can be as long as one minute and 45 seconds. Speeds at the World Cup level generally average from 88-96 km (55-60 miles) per hour.
Super G is unique in that it is conducted over one run, like Downhill, but racers are not permitted to train the course at full speed before the race. As in giant slalom and slalom, they are allowed only a one hour visual inspection of the course on the morning of the race. This distinction adds to the unpredictable nature of the event and requires ski racing abilities that are different from the other three disciplines.
[edit] History
Super G was first introduced on the World Cup level in December 1982 at Val d'Isere (won by Switzerland's Peter Müller) and was added to the World Championships at Crans-Montana in February 1987, where Swiss stars Pirmin Zurbriggen and Maria Walliser won gold medals. Super Giant Slalom made its Olympic debut at the 1988 Games in Calgary where Franck Piccard of France and Sigrid Wolf of Austria took gold.
Hermann Maier of Austria is widely regarded as the greatest Super G skier with 23 World Cup victories, five World Cup titles, a World Championship, and an Olympic gold medal. His proficiency in Super G is attributed to his thorough course inspection and his aggressive course tactics wherein he opted for the most direct and dangerous line down the hill. Another notable specialist is Kjetil André Aamodt of Norway, who won three gold medals in Olympic Super G races in 1992, 2002, and 2006.
[edit] Equipment
In an attempt to increase safety, the 2003-04 season saw the FIS impose minimum ski lengths for the Super Giant Slalom for the first time; to 205cm for men, 200cm for women. A minimum turning radius of 33m continues to apply.
[edit] External links
- FIS-Ski.com - results of first World Cup Super G race - Val d'Isere- Dec-1982
