Australia at the 2002 Winter Paralympics | |
---|---|
IPC code | AUS |
NPC | Australian Paralympic Committee |
Website | www |
in Salt Lake City | |
Competitors | 6 in 1 sport |
Flag bearer | Michael Milton (Opening) Bart Bunting (Closing) [1] |
Officials | 9 |
Medals Ranked 8th |
|
Winter Paralympics appearances (overview) | |
Australia competed at the 2002 Winter Paralympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States from 8 March to 19 March 2002. [2] The Salt Lake Paralympics are the eighth such winter games, the first Winter Paralympics ever in North America and the first Winter Paralympics ever set up by an Olympic organizing committee. [3] Although many of the Paralympic expenses were covered by dual planning with the Olympics, organizers still spent about $60 million on the Paralympics, including $5 million on the opening and closing ceremonies. [3] The Salt Lake Games featured 92 events across four sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country, and ice sledge hockey. [2] The 36 competing countries sent a total of 416 participants (329 men and 87 women). [2] Australia was represented by six male alpine skiers: Peter Boonaerts, Bart Bunting, Michael Milton, Scott Adams, Cameron Rahles-Rahbula, and Mark Drinnan. [4] The medal haul was seven, consisting of six gold and one silver. Australia finished 8th overall in the gold and total medal count, making it the country's most successful Winter Games in terms of gold medals.
Notable Australian performances were:
Australia has competed in every Winter Paralympics since its inception in 1976, but the 2002 Salt Lake City Paralympics are considered to be the Games that amassed a huge number of new fans and increased overall crowd attendance for Paralympic winter sports. [5] Salt Lake 2002 was also the first organizing committee to completely integrate the planning for both the Olympics and Paralympics, lowering costs and using the same infrastructure for both Games. [6] "The Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games were truly an event to remember," said International Paralympic Committee (IPC) CEO Xavier Gonzalez, previously Managing Director of Paralympics for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. [5]
"With such a high demand for tickets and a swarm of accredited media around the venues, the winter spectacle pushed the Paralympic Movement to new heights and created further awareness for athletes with a disability in sport, as well as in society. It was also fantastic to see the Salt Lake Organizing Committee fully integrate the organization of the Paralympics with the Olympics." [5]
Host city | Salt Lake City, Utah |
---|---|
Motto | Mind, Body, Spirit |
Nations participating | 36 |
Athletes participating | 416 |
Australian athletes | 6 |
Events | 4 |
Opening ceremony | March 7 |
Closing ceremony | March 16 |
Officially opened by | President George W. Bush |
Paralympic stadium | Rice-Eccles Stadium |
A high ticket demand resulted in the total number being raised from 225, 000 to 248, 000. [5]
A total of 836 media representatives from more than 30 broadcasters were accredited for the Salt Lake Paralympics, with several international broadcasting associations offering viewers highlight packages following the Games. [7] However, there has been criticism of the drastically different amounts of coverage on the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and Paralympics. [8] One particular study from Brigham Young University found that the 2,399 athletes competing in the 2002 Olympic Games were covered by 9,000 accredited media personnel, giving a ratio of 3.75 media persons for each able-bodied athlete. [8] The Paralympic Games, on the other hand, were covered by only 700 accredited media personnel, a ratio of merely 1.66 media persons to each disabled athlete. [8]
Newspaper | Olympic Articles | Paralympic Articles |
USA Today | 611 | 5 |
The New York Times | 387 | 5 |
The Los Angeles Times | 533 | 0 |
The Washington Post | 306 | 2 |
The New York Daily News | 278 | 0 |
The Houston Chronicle | 446 | 1 |
The study also analysed the themes and underlying representations surrounding the dissimilarity in coverage of the Paralympics by interviewing selected media personnel who only attended the Olympics. [8] The interviews revealed that the lack of coverage of the Paralympics was influenced by the media's feeling that they did not constitute a real competition, logistical issues, and a perception that the event lacked audience appeal. [8] Interviews conducted with selected Paralympic media personnel, however, found that their coverage of the event was influenced by their belief that the Paralympics held audience appeal, their desire to raise disability awareness, their acquaintance with effective National Paralympic Committee public relations campaigns, and previous involvement with the Paralympics. [8]
On March 7, 2002, the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games officially began with the Opening Ceremony at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium to a sold-out audience of 46,000. [6] The Opening Ceremony was based on the theme, "Awaken the Mind – Free the Body – Inspire the Spirit" and featured a cast of nearly 1,000 members, including 'snow spirits' and 'children of light'. [9] Among the performers were Wynonna, Donny Osmond, pop-classical violinist Vanessa-Mae, country singer Billy Gilman and Stevie Wonder. [9] The Paralympic torch was carried to the podium by the first blind man to climb Mount Everest, Erik Weihenmayer. [9] Eric was guided by his dog as he ascended the podium, passing the torch on to two of America's best sit-skiiters – Chris Waddell and Muffy Davis, who together lit the Paralympic cauldron. [9] At the commencement of the Games, President George W. Bush saluted the Paralympians: "Every athlete at these games will demonstrate that we are limited only by the size of our own dreams, and that desire and courage can overcome any obstacle life may bring you," he said. [10]
Nine days later, on March 16, the Olympic Medals Plaza in downtown Salt Lake City staged the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Closing Ceremony, a tribute highlighted by Paralympic skier Lacey Heward joining superstar Patti LaBelle for a rendition of "Lady Marmalade." [9] More than 20,000 fans gathered to say goodbye and honour the thousands of volunteers who made the Salt Lake Paralympics a reality. [9]
From March 1 to 7, Salt Lake 2002 staged a 'Journey of Fire' to share the spirit of the Paralympic Winter Games with the community. [11] The torch was carried by 100 runners across 15 cities in Utah, and in each city ceremonies were held at Paralympic cauldrons — with Brazilian singers, volunteer firefighters and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir joining the tributes — before the 15 flames were brought together to create a single Paralympic Flame in a special celebration on March 6. [11] The following day, runners from age 7 to 96 participated in the Flame Run before it arrived at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony. [11]
"At the most pure level, the Olympics and the Paralympics are about the same thing," said U.S. alpine skier Chris Waddell. [11] "We as Paralympians experience the same kind of sacrifice, the same kind of commitment to our sport and the same kind of hope that the Olympics is all about. It's just about trying to do something great." [11]
The logo of the Salt Lake 2002 Paralympic Winter Games is made up of three distinct marks; the sphere on the top represents the head of the Paralympic athlete and also symbolizes the global unity of the Paralympic Movement. [12] Two broad fluid lines represent the athlete in motion. The three taegeuks beneath the athlete reproduce the green, red and blue marks on the Paralympic Flag. [12]
The mascot for the Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City 2002 was Otto the otter. Nearly wiped out by over-trapping and environmental damage, Utah's river otters were successfully reintroduced to the Green River and other areas following the Salt Lake Paralympics. [13] Considered by ancient Indian tribes to be one of the most powerful of all animals, the otter was chosen as the mascot of the Salt Lake Paralympics as an embodiment of vitality and agility, and a representation of each Paralympian's spirit. [13]
Disabled athletes competing at both the summer and winter Paralympics games are classified as coming from one of six disability groups:
Peter Boonaerts (born 21 September 1968 in New Zealand) was a sales representative who grew up in Manly, Sydney. Boonaerts has a low degree of paraplegia; he broke his back at a hotel in Manly when a drunk guest fell from the pub balcony on top of him. [4] His sporting journey begun after he was inspired by a magazine article on disabled skiing, leading him to contact the NSW Sports Council for the Disabled to ask how he could get involved. [4] He first represented Australia in 1999, but his first medal was a bronze in slalom at the Switzerland 2000 World Championships, and at these championships he also finished 4th in the super-G and 6th in the downhill. [4] Although Boonaerts classifies as a wheelchair athlete, he is known as a 'sit skier' during competition. [4]
Bart Bunting (born 17 July 1976 in Australia) was a computer programmer who grew up in Chippendale, Sydney. He was born with congenital blindness, meaning that he has not even the slightest degree of vision. [4] His skiing career began in 1998 when he participated in a "tryout camp" for disabled people. [4] Although initially struggling on the mountains, Bunting became an Australian national team member in 1999, and in 2000 he won his first gold medal in the giant slalom and downhill events at the Switzerland 2000 World Championships. [4] Athletes in Bunting's disability class use only sound to navigate their course. Bunting's best friend and guide Nathan Chivers skis a couple of meters ahead of him, speaking to him through the microphone in his helmet and the loudspeaker on the back of his bum bag. [4] Bunting must move according to Nathan's instructions, making the communication and trust between them vitally important. [4] Because of his achievements at the Salt Lake Games, he earned the honor of carrying the Australian flag during the closing ceremony. [4]
Michael Milton (born 21 March 1973 in Canberra) lived in Jindabyne in New South Wales. An early fight with bone cancer led to his left leg being amputated above the knee when he was nine years old. Milton grew up into a skiing family, and becoming an amputee only drove him more to excel in the sport. [4] "I think there's a natural competitive spirit within myself, and perhaps the environment that I grew up in – learning to live with one leg, wanting to be competitive with my able-bodied peers – really created that mindset…. it's only a leg. The really important things in life are family, friends and having fun. None of those things have anything to do with how many legs you have," he said. [15]
Milton first represented Australia in 1988 but retired after the Austria 1996 World Championships for personal reasons. He decided to make a comeback in 1999 after being given a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), the first of its kind to be awarded to a Paralympian. [4] From there, Milton went on to compete in numerous World Championship and Paralympic Games, winning a whole host of silver and gold medals. He was the Australian flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the Salt Lake Games, and went on to win gold in all four of his events. When he is not competing, Milton works as Disabled Winter Sport Australia (DWA) National Development Coach, and is assisting in the development of Australia's future alpine skiers. [4]
Scott Adams (born 17 March 1971 in Australia) was a landscape gardener who grew up in Toongabbie, Sydney. He lost the lower half of his right leg in a freak accident in London, when he was hit by a bus while walking on the footpath. [4] He became involved in skiing through Disabled WinterSports Australia, but his skiing career took off after he won three medals, one gold and two silvers, on debut at the 1999 Canadian Nationals. [4] His LW4 classification means he skis with a prosthesis. Sport is a large part of Adams's life, and despite his disability he often partakes in golf, tennis, squash and mountain biking. [4]
Cameron Rahles-Rahbula (born 9 July 1983 in Camperdown, Victoria), a former physiotherapist, was diagnosed with a rare type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma at twelve years old and had to get his left leg amputated above the knee after ineffective chemotherapy when he was fourteen. [4] Two weeks after his amputation, his children's cancer support network placed him in a ski camp at Mount Buller as part of his rehabilitation program. [4] He could ski unaided after only three days, and from there his skiing career blossomed. His first serious competitive competition and first major success was the 2001 National Championships at Mount Hotham, where he placed second in the giant slalom. [4] It wasn't long before Rahles-Rahbula was noticed by national alpine coach, Steve Bova, and development coach Craig Robinson, who introduced him into the national team and began training with him for the 2002 Salt Lake Paralympics. [4]
Mark Drinnan (born 10 January 1967 in Bankstown, Sydney), a former locksmith, was born with only partial use of his right leg. He was then involved in a car accident at the age of twenty-two and had to have his left leg amputated below the knee. He learned how to ski through camps held by the NSW Sports Council for the Disabled, and in 2000, he competed at the Canadian Nationals and placed in the top five for all of his events. He competed at the Australian Nationals and Thredbo Cup the following year, where he came first in the slalom at both competitions. The Salt Lake City Paralympics were his first year on the Australian National Team. [4]
Despite its small team, Australia performed well at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Paralympics. Michael Milton won gold in all four of his events – Downhill, slalom, giant slalom, and super-G, and Bart Bunting with guide Nathan Chivers won gold in two events – downhill and super-G, and silver in the giant slalom.
Medal | Name | Sport | Event |
---|---|---|---|
Gold | Michael Milton | Alpine Skiing | Men's Downhill LW2 |
Gold | Michael Milton | Alpine Skiing | Men's Giant Slalom LW2 |
Gold | Michael Milton | Alpine Skiing | Men's Slalom LW2 |
Gold | Michael Milton | Alpine Skiing | Men's Super-G LW2 |
Gold | Bart Bunting / Nathan Chivers | Alpine Skiing | Men's Downhill B1-3 |
Gold | Bart Bunting / Nathan Chivers | Alpine Skiing | Men's Super-G B1-3 |
Silver | Bart Bunting / Nathan Chivers | Alpine Skiing | Men's Giant Slalom B1-2 |
Athletes competing in the Winter Paralympics are put into one of three categories of classification, depending on their impairment and their level of functionality. [4] Athletes who are physically disabled are given special equipment designed to suit their individuals needs, including orthopedic appliances, and single and sit skits. [4] Athletes who have a vision impairment are assisted through their event by sighted guides, who direct them through obstacles using a microphone and loudspeaker system. [4] In order to let athletes with different disabilities compete against one another, a time adjustment system is used to account for the different aids. [14] The three categories of classification are as follows:
2. Sit-Skiers (applies to athletes in the amputee (leg) and wheelchair disability groups): LW 10 – 12 [17]
3. Vision-Impaired (applies to athletes in the vision-impaired disability groups): B 1 – 3 [17]
Athletes in alpine skiing events must combine speed and agility while racing down the slopes at speeds of approximately 100 km/h. [18] As in the Olympics, there are four alpine skiing events: downhill, super-G, slalom, and giant slalom. Downhill events are the only event that is all about speed; athletes complete one downhill 'run' in the fastest time possible, reaching speeds of up t 130 km/h in elite competition. [19] Super giant slalom, or super-G, is also a speed event, but unlike in downhill, racers are required to turn slightly to pass through wide sets of gates on their way down the mountain. [19] In both the downhill and super-G, athletes have only one attempt to achieve the best time.
In slalom events, athletes must ski between gates which are placed closely together, making agility and technique more important than speed. [18] The giant slalom requires athletes to ski between gates that are spaced greater distances apart than in slalom, but less than in super-G. [18] In both the slalom and giant slalom athletes are given two runs, the first of which form the base for the starting order in run two.
The following shows the times, times after factoring, factor calculation and overall place of the Australian team for each of their events.
Athlete | Event | Time | Factor % | Calculated Factor | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scott Adams | Men's Downhill LW4 | 1:36.62 | 99.74494 | 1:36.37 | 12 |
Men's Giant Slalom LW4 | DNF | ||||
Men's Slalom LW4 | 1:57.79 | 98.66435 | 1:56.21 | 9 | |
Men's Super-G LW4 | DNF | ||||
Peter Boonaerts | Men's Downhill LW12 | 1:54.52 | 83.89583 | 1:36.08 | 14 |
Men's Giant Slalom LW12 | 3:18.76 | 83.05938 | 2:45.09 | 9 | |
Men's Slalom LW12 | 2:19.26 | 75.40576 | 1:45.01 | 10 | |
Men's Super-G LW12 | DNF | ||||
Bart Bunting/ Nathan Chivers (Guide) | Men's Slalom B1-2 | DSQ | |||
Men's Downhill B1-3 | 2:23.03 | 55.87923 | 1:19.92 | ||
Men's Super-G B1-3 | 2:00.92 | 57.50793 | 1:09.54 | ||
Men's Giant Slalom B1-2 | 3:53.60 | 57.61732 | 2:14.60 | ||
Mark Drinnan | Men's Downhill LW3,5/7,9 | 1:41.60 | 93.82805 | 1:35.33 | 8 |
Men's Giant Slalom LW3,5/7,9 | 2:43.18 | 93.13679 | 2:31.98 | 6 | |
Men's Slalom LW3,5/7,9 | 1:55.14 | 88.94977 | 1:42.42 | 6 | |
Men's Super-G LW3,5/7,9 | 1:32.81 | 91.27271 | 1:24.71 | 6 | |
Michael Milton | Men's Downhill LW2 | 1:28.37 | 94.64836 | 1:23.64 | |
Men's Giant Slalom LW2 | 2:27.59 | 92.23105 | 2:16.12 | ||
Men's Slalom LW2 | 1:29.03 | 100 | 1:29.03 | ||
Men's Super-G LW2 | 1:19.67 | 92.12996 | 1:13.40 | ||
Cameron Rahles-Rahbula | Men's Downhill LW2 | 1:33.80 | 94.64836 | 1:28.78 | 9 |
Men's Giant Slalom LW2 | DNF | ||||
Men's Slalom LW2 | 1:50.40 | 100 | 1:50.40 | 17 | |
Men's Super-G LW2 | DNF |
The biathlon is a combination of skiing and shooting. [20] It is composed of one 7.5 km track divided into three 2.5 km stages, and between each stage athletes are required to hit two targets set ten meters apart, with time penalties applying for missed targets. [20] The overall position of each athlete is determined using a time formula percentage system that adjusts athletes times relative to their impairment class and those of other racers. [20] Because the percentage system is complex and takes into account the different techniques and impairments of the athletes, it is evaluated every year and adjusted if necessary.
In order to succeed in the biathlon competition, athletes must hone their skills in both physical endurance and shooting accuracy. Visually impaired athletes are aided by audio signals that change in intensity when the athlete is on target. [20]
Cross country is an event in which athletes ski across a snow-covered terrain, rather than down a mountain slope. [21] Athletes compete in one of three events: freestyle (5 km and 2.5 km), classic (5 km, 15 km, and 20 km), and relay (3 x 2.5 km, and 1 x 7.5 km + 2 x 5 km) using their respective aids. [22] Two basic techniques are used in the cross country event: classic-style, where athletes move as if they were skating normally with their skis moving parallel to each other, and free-style, also known as skate skiing, where athletes launch themselves forward as if they were speed-skating. [23] Vision-impaired athletes are aided by their guides and sit-skiers ride on sleds, pulling themselves forward with poles. [23]
Ice sledge hockey is the Paralympic version of ice hockey. [24] It debuted at the 1994 Winter Paralympics in Lillehammer, and has fast become one of the most popular attractions at the Winter Paralympics. [24] A fast-paced and contact heavy competition, Ice Sledge Hockey is played by athletes with a disability in the lower half of their body. [24] It follows the rules of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) with modifications; athletes wear double-blade 'sledges' instead of skates, which are designed so that the puck can pass beneath them. [24] They hold one stick in each hand, one with a spike-end for pushing, and the other with a blade-end for shooting. [24]
Team officials were:
The 2002 Australian Winter Paralympic team had an extensive list of sponsors, including the Australian Sports Commission, Energy Australia, Fforesite, the Motor Accident Authority, Telstra, Workcover NSW, Workcover Safety Victoria, TAB, Clubs NSW, Yakka, and Rogen. [4]
Australia has competed in every Winter Paralympics. In 1976, the first Games, Australia's sole competitor was Ron Finneran, but he was not an official entrant. In 1980, Kyrra Grunnsund and Peter Rickards became the first official competitors, in alpine and cross-country skiing. The number of Australian athletes increased to three, five, five and six at the next four games, respectively, and all of the athletes were alpine skiers. The participation decreased to four in 1998 and climbed back up to six in 2002. Australia won its first Winter Paralympic medals in 1992, and has medalled at every games since then. All of the medals have been won in alpine skiing.
Michael John Milton, OAM is an Australian Paralympic skier, Paralympic cyclist and paratriathlete with one leg. With 6 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals he is the most successful Australian Paralympic athlete in the Winter Games.
Australia participated in the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Torino, Italy, from 10 to 19 March 2006. The Turin games represented Australia's ninth appearance at the Winter Paralympic Games. Australia were represented by 10 athletes, which made it their largest ever Winter Paralympic Games contingent. Australia competed in three sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, and cross-country skiing, but not ice sledge hockey or wheelchair curling. Prior to the games, the Australian Paralympic Committee set a target of two medals, down from the seven that were won four years earlier in Salt Lake City. This was due to the retirement of three-time medallist Bart Bunting, as well as changes made to the disability classification system. This target was met with Australia winning a silver and a bronze medal to finish equal 13th on the medal tally.
Paralympic alpine skiing is an adaptation of alpine skiing for athletes with a disability. The sport evolved from the efforts of disabled veterans in Germany and Austria during and after the Second World War. The sport is governed by the International Paralympic Committee Sports Committee. The primary equipment used includes outrigger skis, sit-skis, and mono-skis. Para-alpine skiing disciplines include the Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom, Super Combined and Snowboard.
Alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Paralympics consisted of 53 events, 34 for men and 19 for women which all took place at the Snowbasin Ski Area.
The 1984 Winter Paralympics, then known as The Third World Winter Games for the Disabled, were held in Innsbruck, Austria. The games took place from the 15 until 21 January. Present at these games were 419 athletes from 21 countries, Spain and the Netherlands competing for the first time in the Winter Paralympics, competing in 107 events across 3 sports. The inclusion of Les Austres and Cerebral palsy impairment groups contributing to the distinct increase in athlete participation with the total number of athletes jumping from 229 at Geilo, Norway in 1980.
Australia sent a delegation to compete at the 1988 Winter Paralympics in Innsbruck, Austria, which was held between 17–24 January 1988. This marked the nation's fourth appearance at the Winter Paralympics. The delegation sent a group of five alpine skiers as they wouldn't get a medal in these games.
Australia competed at the 1992 Winter Paralympics in Tignes and Albertville in France. They were the first winter Paralympics to be celebrated concurrently with the Olympic Games. The official logo of the Games was designed by Jean-Michel Folon. It depicts a bird with broken wings, soaring high across the peak of a mountain. This was used to reflect the sporting abilities of the athletes at the Games. The official mascot, Alpy, designed by Vincent Thiebaut, represented the summit of the Grande Motte mountain in Tignes. Alpy was shown on a mono-ski to demonstrate its athleticism and the colours of white, green and blue were used to represent purity/snow, hope/nature and discipline/the lake. The 1992 Games were where Australia won their first winter medals at the Paralympics. Michael Milton won Australia's first gold with a win in the Men's Slalom LW2. Milton also won a silver medal in the Men's Super G LW2. At these Games, Australia was represented by 5 male athletes. Australia was placed 12th in the overall medal tally for the Winter Games winning a total of 4 medals: 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze.
The 1994 Winter Paralympics were held in Lillehammer, Norway. Australia sent six male skiers, who won three gold, two silver and four bronze medals. Australia, at the time, achieved their best ever performance at a Winter Paralympics, finishing 5th overall in the alpine skiing competition, 9th in the medal standings, and 11th in the total medal count out of 31 nations.
Para-alpine skiing classification is the classification system for para-alpine skiing designed to ensure fair competition between alpine skiers with different types of disabilities. The classifications are grouped into three general disability types: standing, blind and sitting. Classification governance is handled by International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing. Prior to that, several sport governing bodies dealt with classification including the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD), International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation (ISMWSF), International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA). Some classification systems are governed by bodies other than International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing, such as the Special Olympics. The sport is open to all competitors with a visual or physical disability. It is not open to people with intellectual disabilities.
LW12 is a para-Alpine and para-Nordic sit skiing sport class defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). An LW12 skier needs to meet a minimum of one of several conditions including a single below knee but above ankle amputation, monoplegia that exhibits similar to below knee amputation, legs of different length where there is at least a 7 centimetres difference, combined muscle strength in the lower extremities less than 71. For international competitions, classification is done through IPC Alpine Skiing or IPC Nordic Skiing. For sub-international competitions, classification is done by a national federation such as Alpine Canada. For para-Alpine, this class is subdivided into two subclasses.: LW12.1 and LW12.2. A new sit-skier competitor with only national classification will compete as LW12.2 in international competitions until they have been internationally classified.
LW11 is a para-Alpine and para-Nordic sit skiing sport class, a classification defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC for people with paralysis in the lower extremities and people with cerebral palsy that affects the lower half of the body. Outside of skiing, the competitor in this class is unable to walk. For international competitions, classification is done through IPC Alpine Skiing or IPC Nordic Skiing. For sub-international competitions, classification is done by a national federation such as Alpine Canada.
LW10 is a para-Alpine and para-Nordic sit-skiing classification for skiers who cannot sit up without support. For international skiing competitions, classification is conducted by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Alpine Skiing and IPC Nordic Skiing, while national federations such as Alpine Canada handle classification for domestic competitions.
LW1 is a para-Alpine standing skiing classification for people with severe lower extreme disabilities in both extremities. It includes both skiers with amputations and cerebral palsy. International classification is done through International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing, and national classification through local national sport federations. LW1 classified skiers use outriggers, and two skis or one ski with a prosthesis. Other equipment is used during training such as ski-tips, ski-bras, and short skis.
LW2 is a para-Alpine and para-Nordic standing ski sport class defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Competitors in this class have severe disability in a lower limb, which may be a result of an amputation, or arthrodesis in the leg and hip. Depending on the type of skiing, the international classification process for LW2 skiers is handled by the IPC Alpine Skiing Technical Committee and IPC Nordic Skiing Technical Committee. National sport federations handle classification on the lower levels.
LW3 is a para-Alpine and para-Nordic standing skiing sport class defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for skiers with a disability affecting both legs, with double below knee amputation or a combined strength total for both legs of 60, with 80 as the baseline for people without disabilities. For international skiing competitions, classification is done through IPC Alpine Skiing or IPC Nordic Skiing. The classification has two subclasses for para-Alpine skiing: LW3.1 which is for people with double below the knee amputations or similar disabilities, and LW3.2 which is for people with cerebral palsy that involves moderate athetoid, moderate ataxic impairment or slight diplegic involvement.
LW4 is a para-Alpine and para-Nordic standing skiing sport class defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for skiers who may have a disability in one lower extremity, which may be a result of a leg amputation below the knee, knee arthrodesis or a hip arthrodesis. For international skiing competitions, classification is done through IPC Alpine Skiing or IPC Nordic Skiing. A national federation such as Alpine Canada handles classification for domestic competitions.
LW5/7 is a standing para-Alpine and para-Nordic skiing classification for skiers with upper extremity issues in both limbs that may include double amputation of both arms and hands or dysmelia of the upper limbs. The class has three subclasses defined by the location of the disability on the upper extremities. International classification is done by IPC Alpine Skiing and IPC Nordic Skiing. On the national level, classification is handled by national sports federation such as Cross-Country Canada.
LW6/8 is a para-Alpine and para-Nordic standing skiing sport class, a classification defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for people with an upper extremity issue who have paralysis, motor paresis affecting one arm, a single upper arm amputation or CP8 classified cerebral palsy. LW6/8 skiers use two skis and one pole in both para-Alpine and para-Nordic skiing.
LW9 is a para-Alpine and para-Nordic standing skiing sport class, a classification defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for people with upper and lower limb function problems, and includes cerebral palsy skiers classified CP5, CP6 and CP7, along with people with hemiplegia or amputations. For international skiing competitions, classification is done through IPC Alpine Skiing or IPC Nordic Skiing. A national federation such as Alpine Canada handles classification for domestic competitions. This classification is separated into two subclasses including LW9.1 and LW9.2.