The Live Is Downhill

Downhill is an alpine skiing discipline. The rules for the Downhill were originally developed by Sir Arnold Lunn for the 1921 British National Ski Championships.

"Downhill skiing" is also commonlya term synonymous with "alpine skiing" to denote the sport and recreational activity of alpine skiing in general.

The Downhill discipline involves the highest speeds and therefore the greatestrisks of all the alpine events. Racers on a typical international-level course will exceed speeds of 130 km/h (81 mph) and some courses, such as the notable Lauberhorn course in Wengen, Switzerland, andthe Hahnenkamm course in Kitzbühel, Austria, speeds of up to 150 km/h (93 mph) in certain sections are expected. Competing in the Downhill event requires of racers considerable strength and high speedtechnical expertise (ability to pump the jumps etc.), in contrast to the technical expertise required in lower speed slalom events (Super G, Giant Slalom & Slalom).
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[hide]A typicalDownhill course begins at or near the top of the mountain on a piste that is closed off to the public and groomed specially for the race. Gates (which are always the same colour in Downhill, in contrast tothe other alpine skiing disciplines) are quite close together, but not in sight of each other. The courses in the world's most notable ski areas are well-established and do not change a lot from yearto year.

The course is designed to challenge the best skiers in a variety of ways: skiing at high speeds, through challenging turns, shallow dips, flats, and small airs (jumps). A good course willhave all these elements in it, as well as some jumps intended to complicate matters and thrill both the racer and the spectators.
[edit] Equipment
Austrian Downhill racing suit

Equipment for theDownhill is different from the alpine events that are lower-speed. Skis are 30% longer than those used in Slalom, for more stability at high speed. They usually have rounded, low-profile tips rather...