Para nordic skiing blends the endurance of long-distance skiing with the precision of adaptive techniques, providing athletes with physical impairments a thrilling and demanding competition. Athletes glide through snowy landscapes, navigating challenging terrain while showcasing their skill and determination in this exhilarating sport.
Para Nodic Skiing
Overview
Events & Disciplines
Freestyle – 5km and 2.5km
Classic – 5km, 10km, 15km and 20km
Relay – 3X2.5km and 1X3.75km+2X5km
Rules & Equipment
Sit-Ski: An athlete with a lower-body impairment uses a sledge, which is a specially built chair that can be attached to a pair of skis. The skis are almost identical to standard skis, although shorter, and are attached to the chair with a standard cross-country binding.
Ski: Made from fibreglass, classical skis are usually 25cm to 30cm taller than the height of a skier. They are light, weighing less than 0.45kg each; and narrow, with curved tips and a cambered midsection, which is thicker and arched. Free technique skis are about 10cm to 15 cm shorter for greater manoeuvrability. They are also nominally stiffer and have tips that curve less than classical technique skis. The underside of both types of skis has a groove down the centre to keep the ski straight when going downhill.
Classification
Nordic skiing classification is structured to accommodate athletes with a range of impairments, grouping them into various sport classes based on the nature and extent of their limitations. Here’s an overview of the classifications:
Sport Classes LW 2-9: Standing Skiers
Leg Impairments:
• LW 2: Impairment affecting one leg, such as above-the-knee amputation.
• LW 3: Impairment in both legs, like muscle weakness in both legs.
• LW 4: Impairment in the lower part of one leg, such as ankle amputations.
Arm Impairments:
• LW 5⁄7: Impairment in both arms, prohibiting the use of ski poles.
• LW 6: Significant impairment in one arm, with the other arm used for a ski pole.
• LW 8: Moderate impairment in one arm, allowing for the use of one ski pole.
Combined Arm and Leg Impairments:
• LW 9: Impairment in both arms and legs, varying from mild coordination issues to amputations affecting one arm and one leg.
Sport Classes LW 10-12: Sit-Skiers
Trunk Control and Leg Impairments:
• LW 10: Limited trunk and leg function, requiring arm support.
• LW 10.5: Limited trunk control but stable sitting balance.
• LW 11: Leg impairment with fair trunk control, allowing for balanced movement.
• LW 11.5: Near-normal trunk control.
• LW 12: Leg impairment with normal trunk control, offering the option to compete standing or sitting.
Sport Classes B1-3: Skiers with Visual Impairment
Visual Acuity:
• B1: Blind or very low visual acuity.
• B2: Higher visual acuity than B1 but unable to recognize large letters.
• B3: Least severe visual impairment, with restricted visual field or low visual acuity.
Guides: B1 skiers must have a guide, while B2 and B3 skiers may choose to ski with one.
The Percentage System: This system adjusts racers’ times relative to their specific race class, determining overall standings based on each individual’s performance against others in their class. The actual time is multiplied by a percentage assigned to each class, accounting for variations in technique and impairment severity. Periodic evaluations by the IPNSC ensure accuracy and fairness in the percentage assignments.