Para-Alpine and Para-Nordic Skiing
In alpine skiing, biathlon, and cross-country skiing, athletes compete in three general categories:
- Standing
- Sitting
- Visual impaired
Letter-number codes identify the athlete’s specific competitive category that is their classification. LW refers to winter athletes with a locomotive disability, and B to athletes who are visually impaired.
Class |
Description |
Sport equipment |
---|---|---|
Athletes in the following classes compete standing | ||
LW 1 |
Double leg amputation above the knee, moderate to highly involved disability, cerebral palsy, or equivalent impairment |
Two skis, two outriggers |
LW 2 |
Single leg amputation above the knee |
One ski, two outriggers |
LW 3 |
Double leg amputation below the knee, mild cerebral palsy, or equivalent impairment |
Two skis, two poles |
LW 4 |
Single leg amputation below the knee |
Two skis, two poles |
LW 5/7-1 |
Double arm amputation above the elbow |
Two skis, no poles |
LW 5/7-2 |
Double arm amputation, one above and one below the elbow |
Two skis, no poles |
LW 5/7-3 |
Double arm amputation below the elbow |
Two skis, no poles |
LW 6/8-1 |
Single arm amputation above the elbow |
Two skis, one pole |
LW 6/8-2 |
Single arm amputation below the elbow |
Two skis, one pole |
LW 9-1 |
Amputation or equivalent impairment of one arm and one leg above the knee |
Choice of equipment |
LW 9-2 |
Amputation or equivalent impairment of one arm and one leg below the knee |
Choice of equipment |
Athletes in the following classes are visually impaired and compete standing with a guide | ||
* Someone with 2/60 vision sees at 2 metres what a person without a visual disability can see up to 60 metres away. | ||
B1 |
No functional vision. |
|
B2 |
Up to approximately 3-5% functional vision. |
|
B3 |
No more than 10% functional vision. |
|
Athletes in the following classes compete using a sit-ski | ||
LW 10-1 |
Paraplegia with no upper abdominal function and no functional sitting balance |
|
LW 10-2 |
Paraplegia with some upper abdominal function and no functional sitting balance |
|
LW 11 |
Paraplegia with fair functional sitting balance |
|
LW 12-1 |
Paraplegia with some leg function and good sitting balance |
|
LW 12-2 |
Double leg amputation above the knees |
When there are only a small number of competitors in a class, similar classes are combined. In addition to classification, a mathematic formula applies a percentage (factor) to each athlete to create equitable competition. The athlete’s actual finishing time is multiplied by this percentage to determine their ultimate finish time.
The formulas are pre-determined and published for each competitive season.
Below is an example of the percentage formula in use:
- Athlete A is classified as LW6 with a factor of 91% finishes the race in 1 minute, their final race time is 54.6 seconds.
- Athlete B is classified as LW5 with a factor of 79% finishes the race in 1 minute and 2 seconds, their final race time is 48.98 seconds.
- Athlete B wins.
Therefore, the athlete who completed the race fastest may not be the winner and gold medalist.
Sledge hockey and wheelchair curling
Specific competitive classifications are not used in wheelchair curling and ice sledge hockey. Athletes still participate in a classification evaluation and are classified as eligible (ME) to compete or not be eligible to compete.