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These are the major categories of competitions in the 16th Winter Deaflympics:
ALPINE SKIING
This includes:
Downhill: The fastest and longest alpine race, skiers have a single chance in a single run down on the longest course. Whoever gets the fastest time wins. This can be a fun but dangerous sport.
Slalom: Skiers make two runs down the shortest course where they zigzag through flags set in the snow. The skier who makes the quickest turns, gets the fastest times, and does not hit or touch the flags wins.
Giant Slalom: Skiers make two runs on different courses on the same slope, zigzagging through the flags. On the same day of the race, they make the runs on the longer courses. The skier with the fastest total time from both races wins.
Super Giant Slalom or Super-G: The skier has one chance on a single course to speed downhill and zigzag through flags on a course longer than the one in Giant Slalom. The skier with the fastest time wins.
Alpine Combined: A combination of a downhill and two slalom runs, this affords skiers three races. The skier with the fastest time wins.
SNOWBOARDING
This includes:
Parallel Slalom: The snowboarder races down a course and passes through a series of gates. The snowboarder with the fastest time wins.
Parallel Giant Slalom: Two snowboarders compete against each other, speed downhill, and zigzag through 23 to 25 gates. The snowboarder with the fastest time wins.
Half-Pipe: Snowboarders leap off the surface of the snow and do acrobatic tricks—twists, flips, spins, and handsprings—on a U-shaped course in front of the judges. Judges award points to decide the winner.
Snowboard Cross: Four competitors speed down a course that requires them to jump and make huge turns while they race to reach the finish line. A series of races leads to the final one.
Slopestyle: Slopestyle is basically “snowboarding” with tricks. The snowboarder uses the ski slope and demonstrates his or her style through avoiding and jumping obstacles and at the same time, performing ttricks. He or she creates a personal “snowboarding slopestyle” performance.
Snowboarding Links:
NORDIC SKIING
Also called “Cross-Country Skiing,” competitors run on skis over distances to the finish line and the skier who arrives first wins. Events include: 1.3 km Individual Sprint, 10 km Mass Start, 15 km Double Pursuit, 3x5 km Relay (men only; women’s relay cancelled), and Team Sprint.
Nordic Skiing Links:
ICE HOCKEY
Two teams skate against each other with the goal of putting the puck in the opponent’s goal net. While five players and a goalie from each team are on the ice, 14 to 17 teammates watch. Every few minutes, the high-speed skating and the constant swinging of hockey sticks necessitates that players are rotated in and out of the game.
Ice Hockey Links:
CURLING
This has been called “a chess game on ice.” A demonstration sport that will be considered for future Deaflympics, four players on each team attempt to move stones weighing about 42 pounds across the rink using long-handled instruments that they call brooms.
Curling Links: