Para Snowboard is a thrilling winter sport designed for athletes with physical impairments, combining elements of snowboarding and adaptive techniques. Athletes carve through snow-covered slopes using specialized equipment, showcasing their agility, balance, and courage in this exhilarating competition.
Para Snowboard
Overview
Events & Disciplines
In banked slalom, each athlete makes three runs down the course, and their best run is used to determine the final order based on ascending time. The course typically features a medium pitched slope and is ideally set on naturally varying terrain, with ample bumps and dips, preferably following a U-shape or natural valley.
In snowboard-cross qualification, each athlete completes three runs individually, with their best run determining the final order based on ascending time. Only one rider is on the course at a time during the qualification rounds.
For the finals, 16 men and eight women advance, with two competitors vying for the bronze medal and two for the gold.
Rules & Equipment
Athletes use equipment that is adapted to their needs.
Classification
Para snowboard currently offers three sport classes, two for athletes with leg impairments and one for athletes with arm impairments.
The sport is under development and with its growth the classification system will be refined gradually.
Sport class SB-LL1: Athletes classified in the SB-LL1 sport class will have an significant impairment in one leg, for example an above knee amputation, or a significant combined impairment in two legs, for example significant muscle weakness or spasticity in both legs. This will affect their ability to balance, control the board and absorb the terrain. Athletes with amputations will use prosthesis during the races.
Sport class SB-LL2: Snowboarders in the SB-LL2 sport class will have an impairment in one or two legs with less activity limitation. A typical example is a below knee amputation or mild spasticity.
Sport Class SB-UL: Snowboarders in the SB-UL class have impairments of the upper limbs, which impacts on the ability to balance when racing down the slopes.