| Paralympic alpine skiing is all about sheer determination, | | | | Second, The SKILL |
| as well as mind over matter. There are two aspects | | | | Amazingly, the skiers will reach 100 km per hour as |
| within this sport that must be dealt with that we | | | | they race down the slopes. The four events are |
| humans, who are blessed with sound bodies will find to | | | | Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super G and Downhill. These |
| be mind boggling. Those are the BODY and second | | | | events are open to both ladies and gents. |
| the SKILL. | | | | Slalom |
| First, the BODY | | | | The slalom uses the shortest course with quick turns. |
| Consider for a moment what it must be like to have | | | | The way it works is that in the morning each raced |
| one or no legs, or you have legs that are paralyzed. I | | | | makes a run to the bottom. Then in the afternoon the |
| took up alpine skiing when I was in my late fifties. I was | | | | course is changed and the skiers run that course. |
| in excellent condition. At the end of a day on Whistler | | | | After the runs are completed the times are added |
| or Blackcomb mountains I was a wreck. Even my | | | | together and the fastest time determines the winner. |
| brain was tired. My back hurt, my legs were as if | | | | Super G |
| made of lead. I had a bump on the side of my face | | | | The super-g or giant slalom is made up of the slalom |
| from a fall. On my last run to the bottom of the | | | | and the downhill. It features a long course with lots of |
| mountain I must have stopped ten times in less than a | | | | speed. The skiers make only one run down to the |
| kilometer to allow my aching legs to rest so that I could | | | | bottom with the fastest time declared the winner. |
| get to the bottom. | | | | Giant Slalom |
| The next morning I could hardly get out of bed. My | | | | The giant slalom is basically the same as the slalom. |
| entire body cried out "enough is enough." It took me the | | | | The course is arranged with wider and smoother turns. |
| better part of the week and a big hand-full of Tylenol | | | | As with the slalom race, there are two runs on |
| to make it through. | | | | different courses on the same day and the fastest |
| As I said, I was in good physical condition at that time. | | | | time decides the winner. |
| Now imagine what it must be like to be an athlete | | | | Super Combined |
| participating in Paralympic alpine skiing events. Some | | | | This is a very demanding event. It consists of one |
| ski on one leg. Some ski with visual impairment. | | | | downhill race followed by two slalom runs down the |
| Paralympic events accommodate those athletes with | | | | short course. When the times are added together the |
| other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, | | | | fastest time is declared the winner of the event. |
| amputation, cerebral palsy. | | | | Downhill |
| Some skiers with physical disabilities will use specialized | | | | The downhill race takes place on the longest course |
| equipment adapted to the individual as well as special | | | | and maximum speeds are achieved by the racers. |
| single skies, a sort of sled called a sit-ski or other | | | | Every athlete must make one run down the hill with |
| orthopedic aid to enable them to compete. Visually | | | | the fastest time determining the winner of the event. |
| impaired skiers may use a sighted guide who will use | | | | Skiers from more than 40 countries are expected to |
| voice signals to lead the skier through the course. | | | | enter the Paralympic alpine skiing races being held at |
| Standing skiers may use a type of crutch with a small | | | | Whistler during the 2010 Paralympics games to be held |
| ski attached to maintain their balance. Those who sit | | | | shortly after the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Be sure to |
| on the Mono Ski will use shortened versions of the | | | | make every attempt to attend. |
| crutch pole. | | | | |
