SPEED / TELEMARK

Athletes ski downhill in a straight line as fast as possible, timed over a fixed stretch of ski slope.

There are two types of contest: breaking an existing speed record or having the fastest run at a given competition.

Telemark skiing is a discipline that combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing characterised by the use of bindings that fix only the toe of the ski boot to the ski, creating the "free heel".

There are 3 different events within Telemark;

The Sprint (2 time trial runs, 1 minute duration)

The Dual Sprint (qualifying, followed by head-to-head knock outs, 40 second duration)

The Classic (1 time trial run, 2-3 minute duration)

All of the events include a Giant Slalom section, a jump with a clearance line, a 360 banked turn and a Cross-Country skate section.

There is a penalty of 1 second given to each turn completed incorrectly, this includes a static Telemark transition, a small Telemark stance, a turn with an Alpine stance, stumbling or crashing.

There is a penalty of 1 second given for incorrectly landing the jump, and a further 3 second for not clearing the distance line!

This means that the fastest skier doesn't necessarily win, athletes must be fast and clean which makes the sport tactical and technical.