Participating in the Slalom event

The slalom event

In the slalom the contestant follows the tow boat through the entrance gate of the slalom course, passes around the outside of any or all 6 buoys at his discretion, and proceeds through the far end gate making a “pass.” He then makes a turn and returns through the course in similar fashion. If he has not missed any buoys or gates at the completion of his second pass, he is allowed a third and fourth pass without a stop, with the boat speed increased 2 miles per hour each trip through the course to complete the run. The first run consists of a maximum of 4 passes; all following runs of 2 passes. The use of one or 2 skis is optional.

It is a “miss” to ride inside a buoy or outside a gate, to ride over or straddle a buoy or gate, but there is no penalty for grazing a buoy with a ski or any part of the body. A buoy not missed is scored when the skier has returned within the wake before passing the end gate without falling. A gate not missed is scored when the skier has passed through the gate without falling. Only one buoy is scored for each return to within the wake.

A fall in the course or outside the course while the tow boat is turning around for the return pass concludes a run at that point. However, the contestant receives credit for buoys scored before the fall. Once the skier has entered the first gate on any run, he must complete that run. One point is earned for each gate or buoy scored in succession without a miss.

Judging of the slalom is intricate. A judge rides in the boat, and 2 additional judges observe from the slalom tower to judge the buoys scored. At the conclusion of every skier’s run, the boat judge signals his score to the tower judges, and any disagreement is settled by majority vote before the next contestant starts. In addition, a referee rides in the boat to check speeds, and the boat is also timed by a stop watch on each pass. Where slower than allowable, a rerun is required; where faster, a rerun is at the contestant’s option.

Tags: water sports

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