Pamela Buttrick, age 16, of Cleveland, Ohio, for her question:
ARE THERE MANY COMPETITIVE SKIING EVENTS?
Skiing is the exciting sport of speeding down snow covered slopes or soaring through the air on two runners called skis. Generally speaking,. there are four types of competitive skiing events: downhill, slalom, cross country and ski jumping.
Downhill is one of the most exciting competitive skiing events. The object of this race is to start at the top of a 1,500 or 2,500 foot slope and ski down by the straightest, fastest route possible. Snow mounds, ruts and other obstacles are added to make many downhill courses more difficult. Each competitors speed is clocked to determine the winner of the race.
The slalom is an obstacle course with a vertical drop of 400 to 700 feet. Pairs of closely spaced flag poles mark the edges of a winding, snake like path. The skier must weave his way between each pair of poles.
The giant slalom is an obstacle course with a vertical drop of 1,000 to 1,300 feet. The sets of flags are farther apart and the course has steep pitches, snow mounds called moguls and ruts. Competitors in a slalom race, like a downhill, are judged on the basis of speed.
In ski jumping, the skier speeds down a long, steep take off that levels off just before ending suddenly, high above the ground. He is judged on the basis of the distance of his jump, on his control and style in the air and in his landing.
Cross country is an event that tests the stamina, endurance and all around technique of the skier. The course consists of natural terrain and includes uphill, downhill and flat land skiing. There are no artificial obstacles but many trees and rugged trails provide challenges.
The Olympic Games include all four of these competitive events.
Skiing was developed originally as a method of transportation by peoples who lived in regions with heavy snowfall. Originally, skis were probably made of bones from large animals. A pair of skis about 5,000 years old is on exhibit in Stockholm, Sweden.
In the winter Olympic Games every four years there are separate skiing events for men and women. For men there are 15 , 30 and 50 kilometer cross country races as well as a 40 kilometer relay race. For women there are 5 and 10 kilometers races as well as a 20 kilometer relay race.
Noncompetitive skiing has become a popular recreational activity.
When a skier points straight down a slope without trying to turn or slow down, he is said to be schussing. A skier traverses a slope when he skis at an angle to the fall line, or a straight line from the skier to the bottom of the slope.
The skier carries two poles that are made of metal, cane, fiberglass or bamboo and shaped to a point at one end. A little above the point is a circular basket about three inches in diameter and attached to the pole by spokes. The basket prevents the pole from plunging too deeply into the snow.
When a person skis downhill, he uses the poles to help keep his balance. They are also used as walking sticks on flat land and for uphill climbing.