A skier attacks a gate in GS

Giant slalom (GS) is an alpine skiing and alpine snowboarding competitive discipline. It involves racing between sets of poles ("gates") spaced at a greater distance from each other than in slalom but less than in Super-G.

Giant slalom and slalom make up the technical events in alpine ski racing. This category separates them from the speed events of Super-G and downhill. The technical events are normally composed of two runs, held on different courses on the same ski run.

Course

The vertical drop for a GS course must be 250–450 m (820–1,480 ft) for men, and 250–400 m (820–1,310 ft) for women. The number of gates in this event is 56–70 for men and 46–58 for women. The number of direction changes in a GS course equals 11–15% of the vertical drop of the course in metres, 13–18% for children. As an example, a course with a vertical drop of 300 m (984 ft) would have 33–45 direction changes for an adult race.[1]

Speed

Olympian Lotte Smiseth Sejersted
in a GS race

Although giant slalom is not the fastest event in skiing, on average a well-trained racer may reach average speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph).

Equipment

Top: giant slalom skis from 2006,
bottom: slalom skis.

Giant slalom skis are shorter than super-G and downhill skis, and longer than slalom skis.

In an attempt to increase safety for the 2003–04 season, the International Ski Federation (FIS) increased the minimum sidecut radius for giant slalom skis to 21 m (69 ft) and for the first time imposed minimum ski lengths for GS: 185 cm (72.8 in) for men and 180 cm (70.9 in) for women. A maximum stand height (the distance from the snow to the sole of the boot) of 55 mm (2.17 in) was also established for all disciplines.

In May 2006, the FIS announced further changes to the rules governing equipment. Beginning with the 2007–08 season, the minimum radius for GS skis was increased to 27 m (89 ft) for men and 23 m (75 ft) for women. Additionally, the minimum ski width at the waist was increased from 60 to 65 mm (2.36 to 2.56 in), and the maximum stand height for all disciplines was reduced to 50 mm (1.97 in).[1] The best skiers tended to use a bigger sidecut radius, like Ted Ligety at 29 m (95 ft), and Lindsey Vonn at 27 m (89 ft).

For the 2012–13 season, the FIS increased the sidecut radius to 35 m (115 ft) and the minimal length to 195 cm (76.8 in). Many athletes criticized this decision. Often David Dodge was cited. Dodge argues that FIS used studies which do not represent a scientific proof. He states that it is well known that if one tips the ski 7° more the 35 m ski will have the same turning radius as the 28 m ski. He states as well that knee injuries are decreasing since the 1990s, when carving skis started to be used.[2][3][4][5][6]

History

The first giant slalom was set in 1935 on the Mottarone in Italy, over Lake Maggiore, near Stresa, on January 20.[7] After one month, the second giant slalom was set on the Marmolada in Italy's Dolomite mountains, by Guenther Langes.[8]

The giant slalom was added to the world championships in 1950 at Aspen, Colorado, and debuted at the Winter Olympics in 1952 at Oslo, Norway, run at Norefjell. The GS has been run in every world championships and Olympics since. Originally a one-run event, a second run was added for men at the world championships in 1966, run on consecutive days, and at the Olympics in 1968. The second run for women was added at the world championships in 1978, and made its Olympic debut in 1980.

The world championships changed to a one-day format for the giant slalom in 1974, but the Olympics continued the GS as a two-day event through 1980. Also scheduled for two days in 1984, both giant slaloms became one-day events after repeated postponements of the downhills. Following the extra races added to the program in 1988, the GS has been scheduled as a one-day event at the Olympics.

Upon its introduction, giant slalom briefly displaced the combined event at the world championships; it was absent in 1950 and 1952. The combined returned in 1954 in Åre, Sweden, but as a "paper race," using the results of the three events (downhill, giant slalom, and slalom), a format used through 1980. The combined returned as a stand-alone event at the world championships in 1982 at Schladming, Austria, and at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. It was changed to the super-combined format (one run of slalom on same day as downhill) at the world championships in 2007 and the Olympics in 2010.

Men's World Cup podiums

In the following table men's giant slalom World Cup podiums from the World Cup first edition in 1967.[9]

Season 1st 2nd 3rd
1967France Jean-Claude KillyFrance Georges MauduitUnited States Jimmy Heuga
1968France Jean-Claude KillySwitzerland Edmund BruggmannAustria Herbert Huber
1969Austria Karl SchranzAustria Reinhard TritscherFrance Jean-Noel Augert
1970Italy Gustav ThöniSwitzerland Patrick Russel
France Dumeng Giovanoli
1971Italy Gustav Thöni
France Patrick Russel
Switzerland Edmund Bruggmann
1972Italy Gustav ThöniSwitzerland Edmund BruggmannFrance Rogers Rossat-Mignod
1973Austria Hans HinterseerNorway Erik HåkerSwitzerland Adolf Rösti
1974Italy Piero GrosAustria Hans HinterseerItaly Gustav Thöni
1975Sweden Ingemar StenmarkItaly Piero GrosNorway Erik Håker
1976Sweden Ingemar StenmarkItaly Gustav ThöniItaly Piero Gros
1977Sweden Ingemar Stenmark
Switzerland Heini Hemmi
Austria Klaus Heidegger
1978Sweden Ingemar StenmarkLiechtenstein Andreas WenzelUnited States Phil Mahre
1979Sweden Ingemar StenmarkSwitzerland Peter LüscherSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Bojan Križaj
1980Sweden Ingemar StenmarkAustria Hans EnnSwitzerland Jacques Lüthy
1981Sweden Ingemar StenmarkSoviet Union Alexander ZhirovUnited States Phil Mahre
1982United States Phil MahreSweden Ingemar StenmarkLuxembourg Marc Girardelli
1983United States Phil MahreSweden Ingemar Stenmark
Switzerland Max Julen
1984Sweden Ingemar Stenmark
Switzerland Pirmin Zurbriggen
Austria Hans Enn
1985Luxembourg Marc GirardelliSwitzerland Pirmin ZurbriggenSwitzerland Thomas Bürgler
1986Switzerland Joël GaspozSweden Ingemar StenmarkAustria Hubert Strolz
1987Switzerland Pirmin Zurbriggen
Switzerland Joël Gaspoz
Italy Richard Pramotton
1988Italy Alberto TombaAustria Hubert StrolzAustria Helmut Mayer
1989Norway Ole Kristian Furuseth
Switzerland Pirmin Zurbriggen
Austria Rudolf Nierlich
1990Austria Günther Mader
Norway Ole Kristian Furuseth
Austria Hubert Strolz
1991Italy Alberto TombaAustria Rudolf NierlichLuxembourg Marc Girardelli
1992Italy Alberto TombaSwitzerland Hans PierenSwitzerland Paul Accola
1993Norway Kjetil André AamodtItaly Alberto TombaLuxembourg Marc Girardelli
1994Austria Christian MayerNorway Kjetil André AamodtFrance Franck Piccard
1995Italy Alberto TombaSlovenia Jure KoširNorway Harald Strand Nilsen
1996Switzerland Michael von GrünigenSwitzerland Urs KälinNorway Lasse Kjus
1997Switzerland Michael von GrünigenNorway Kjetil André AamodtAustria Hans Knauß
1998Austria Hermann MaierSwitzerland Michael von GrünigenAustria Christian Mayer
1999Switzerland Michael von GrünigenAustria Stephan EberharterAustria Hermann Maier
2000Austria Hermann MaierAustria Christian MayerSwitzerland Michael von Grünigen
2001Austria Hermann MaierSwitzerland Michael von GrünigenUnited States Erik Schlopy
2002France Frederic CoviliAustria Benjamin RaichAustria Stephan Eberharter
2003Switzerland Michael von GrünigenUnited States Bode MillerAustria Hans Knauß
2004United States Bode MillerFinland Kalle PalanderItaly Massimiliano Blardone
2005Austria Benjamin RaichUnited States Bode MillerCanada Thomas Grandi
2006Austria Benjamin RaichItaly Massimiliano BlardoneSweden Fredrik Nyberg
2007Norway Aksel Lund SvindalItaly Massimiliano BlardoneAustria Benjamin Raich
2008United States Ted LigetyAustria Benjamin RaichItaly Manfred Mölgg
2009Switzerland Didier CucheAustria Benjamin RaichUnited States Ted Ligety
2010United States Ted LigetySwitzerland Carlo JankaAustria Benjamin Raich
2011United States Ted LigetyNorway Aksel Lund SvindalFrance Cyprien Richard
2012Austria Marcel HirscherUnited States Ted LigetyItaly Massimiliano Blardone
2013United States Ted LigetyAustria Marcel HirscherFrance Alexis Pinturault
2014United States Ted LigetyAustria Marcel HirscherFrance Alexis Pinturault
2015Austria Marcel HirscherFrance Alexis PinturaultUnited States Ted Ligety
2016Austria Marcel HirscherFrance Alexis PinturaultNorway Henrik Kristoffersen
2017Austria Marcel HirscherFrance Mathieu FaivreFrance Alexis Pinturault
2018Austria Marcel HirscherNorway Henrik KristoffersenFrance Alexis Pinturault
2019Austria Marcel HirscherNorway Henrik KristoffersenFrance Alexis Pinturault
2020Norway Henrik KristoffersenFrance Alexis PinturaultCroatia Filip Zubčić
2021France Alexis PinturaultSwitzerland Marco OdermattCroatia Filip Zubčić
2022Switzerland Marco OdermattNorway Henrik KristoffersenAustria Manuel Feller
2023Switzerland Marco OdermattNorway Henrik KristoffersenSlovenia Žan Kranjec

Men's most podiums in World Cup

Racers with the most World Cup podiums in giant slalom.[10]

# Skier Total Last
1 Sweden Ingemar Stenmark 7219-02-1989
2 Austria Marcel Hirscher5924-02-2019
3  Switzerland  Michael von Grünigen4615-03-2003
4 United States Ted Ligety4128-01-2018
5 France Alexis Pinturault4111-03-2023
6 Austria Benjamin Raich3501-03-2015
7 Italy Alberto Tomba3106-01-1998
8 Norway Henrik Kristoffersen3119-03-2023
9 Switzerland Marco Odermatt3006-01-2024
10 Austria Hermann Maier2823-10-2005
11 United States Phil Mahre2605-03-1984
12 Italy Gustav Thöni2602-01-1977
13 Luxembourg Marc Girardelli2627-03-1993
14 Italy Massimiliano Blardone2513-02-2016
15 United States Bode Miller2108-12-2013
  Still active
Totals through 06 January 2024

Women's World Cup podiums

In the following table women's giant slalom World Cup podiums from the World Cup first edition in 1967.

Season 1st 2nd 3rd
1967Canada Nancy GreeneAustria Erika SchineggerFrance Annie Famose
1968Canada Nancy GreeneSwitzerland Fernande BochatayFrance Florence Steurer
1969United States Marilyn CochranFrance Michèle JacotAustria Gertrud Gabl
1970France Michèle Jacot
France Françoise Macchi
Austria Annemarie Moser-Pröll
1971Austria Annemarie Moser-PröllFrance Michèle JacotFrance Françoise Macchi
1972Austria Annemarie Moser-PröllAustria Monika KasererFrance Britt Lafforgue
1973Austria Monika KasererAustria Annemarie Moser-PröllLiechtenstein Hanni Wenzel
1974Liechtenstein Hanni WenzelFrance Fabienne SerratAustria Monika Kaserer
1975Austria Annemarie Moser-PröllFrance Fabienne SerratAustria Monika Kaserer
1976Switzerland Lise-Marie MorerodAustria Monika KasererGermany Rosi Mittermaier
1977Switzerland Lise-Marie MorerodAustria Monika KasererAustria Annemarie Moser-Pröll
1978Switzerland Lise-Marie MorerodLiechtenstein Hanni WenzelGermany Maria Epple
1979Germany Christa KinshoferLiechtenstein Hanni WenzelGermany Irene Epple
1980Liechtenstein Hanni WenzelSwitzerland Marie-Thérèse Nadig
France Perrine Pelen
1981United States Tamara McKinneySwitzerland Marie-Thérèse NadigGermany Irene Epple
Switzerland Erika Hess
Liechtenstein Hanni Wenzel
1982Germany Irene EppleGermany Maria EppleSwitzerland Erika Hess
1983United States Tamara McKinneyUnited States Cindy NelsonGermany Maria Epple
1984Switzerland Erika HessUnited States Christin CooperUnited States Tamara McKinney
1985Switzerland Michela Figini
Germany Marina Kiehl
Switzerland Vreni Schneider
1986Switzerland Vreni SchneiderGermany Traudl HächerSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mateja Svet
1987Switzerland Vreni Schneider
Switzerland Maria Walliser
Spain Blanca Fernández Ochoa
1988Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mateja SvetFrance Catherine QuittetSwitzerland Vreni Schneider
1989Switzerland Vreni SchneiderSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mateja SvetSwitzerland Maria Walliser
1990Austria Anita WachterSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mateja SvetAustria Petra Kronberger
1991Switzerland Vreni SchneiderAustria Anita WachterSweden Pernilla Wiberg
1992France Carole MerleSwitzerland Vreni SchneiderUnited States Diann Roffe
1993France Carole MerleAustria Anita WachterGermany Martina Ertl
1994Austria Anita WachterSwitzerland Vreni SchneiderItaly Deborah Compagnoni
1995Switzerland Vreni SchneiderSwitzerland Heidi Zeller-BählerSlovenia Špela Pretnar
1996Germany Martina ErtlGermany Katja SeizingerAustria Anita Wachter
1997Italy Deborah CompagnoniGermany Katja SeizingerAustria Anita Wachter
1998Germany Martina ErtlItaly Deborah CompagnoniAustria Alexandra Meissnitzer
1999Austria Alexandra MeissnitzerAustria Anita WachterNorway Andrine Flemmen
2000Austria Michaela DorfmeisterSwitzerland Sonja NefAustria Anita Wachter
2001Switzerland Sonja NefSweden Anja PärsonAustria Michaela Dorfmeister
2002Switzerland Sonja NefAustria Michaela DorfmeisterSweden Anja Pärson
2003Sweden Anja PärsonItaly Karen PutzerCroatia Janica Kostelić
2004Sweden Anja PärsonItaly Denise KarbonSpain María José Rienda
2005Finland Tanja PoutiainenSweden Anja PärsonSpain María José Rienda
2006Sweden Anja PärsonSpain María José RiendaCroatia Janica Kostelić
2007Austria Nicole HospFinland Tanja PoutiainenAustria Michaela Kirchgasser
2008Italy Denise KarbonAustria Elisabeth GörglItaly Manuela Mölgg
2009Finland Tanja PoutiainenAustria Kathrin ZettelSlovenia Tina Maze
2010Germany Kathrin HölzlAustria Kathrin ZettelSlovenia Tina Maze
2011Germany Viktoria RebensburgFrance Tessa WorleyFinland Tanja Poutiainen
2012Germany Viktoria RebensburgUnited States Lindsey VonnFrance Tessa Worley
2013Slovenia Tina MazeAustria Anna FenningerGermany Viktoria Rebensburg
2014Austria Anna FenningerSweden Jessica Lindell-VikarbySweden Maria Pietilä Holmner
2015Austria Anna FenningerAustria Eva-Maria BremUnited States Mikaela Shiffrin
2016Austria Eva-Maria BremGermany Viktoria RebensburgSwitzerland Lara Gut-Behrami
2017France Tessa WorleyUnited States Mikaela ShiffrinItaly Sofia Goggia
2018Germany Viktoria RebensburgFrance Tessa WorleyUnited States Mikaela Shiffrin
2019United States Mikaela ShiffrinSlovakia Petra VlhováFrance Tessa Worley
2020Italy Federica BrignoneSlovakia Petra VlhováUnited States Mikaela Shiffrin
2021Italy Marta BassinoUnited States Mikaela ShiffrinFrance Tessa Worley
2022France Tessa WorleySweden Sara HectorUnited States Mikaela Shiffrin

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The International Ski Competition Rules" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2017-01-16.
  2. Ted Ligety, Skiing's Most Outspoken Critic, Is Still the Best in the World, bleacher report, 2012-10-28.
  3. A Letter To FIS, David Dodge, 2011.
  4. "More FIS regulation talk | Warner Nickerson". warnernickerson.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  5. Update on Injury Trends in Alpine Skiing, Johnson, Etlinger, Shealy, Update on Injury Trends in Alpine Skiing, 2009
  6. Unfälle und Verletzungen im alpinen Skisport Archived 2011-11-25 at the Wayback Machine, David Schulz, Auswertungsstelle für Skiunfälle, Stiftung Sicherheit im Skisport, 2011.
  7. Francesco Vida. La storia dello sci in Italia.
  8. Allen, John (2010-01-31). "First Giant Slalom". Skiing Heritage. International Skiing History Assoc. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  9. "Winter Sports Chart - Alpine Skiing". wintersport-charts.info. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  10. "GIANT SLALOM - COMPETITORS HAVING MORE THAN ONE PODIUM". fis-ski.com. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
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