Classification Information Sheet Alpine Skiing This information is intended to be a generic guide to classification for Alpine Skiing. The classification of athletes in this sport is performed by authorised classifiers according to the classification rules of the sport, which are determined by the International Federation (World Para Alpine Skiing). Which Paralympic impairment groups compete in Alpine Skiing? Eligible Impairment Examples of health conditions Vision Impairment Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that can lead Athletes with Vision Impairment have reduced or to Vision Impairment include retinitis pigmentosa and no vision caused by damage to the eye diabetic retinopathy structure, optical nerves or optical pathways, or visual cortex of the brain. Impaired Muscle Power Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that can lead Athletes with Impaired Muscle to Impaired Muscle Power include spinal cord injury Power have a Health Condition (complete or incomplete, tetra-or paraplegia or that either reduces or eliminates paraparesis), muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome and their ability to voluntarily contract spina bifida. their muscles in order to move or to generate force. Limb Deficiency Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that can Athletes with Limb Deficiency lead to Limb Deficiency include: traumatic amputation, have total or partial absence of illness (for example amputation due to bone cancer) or bones or joints as a consequence of trauma. congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia). Leg Length Difference Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that can lead Athletes with Leg Length to Leg Length Difference include: dysmelia and congenital Difference have a difference in the or traumatic disturbance of limb growth. length of their legs. Hypertonia Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that can lead to Hypertonia include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury Athletes with hypertonia have an and stroke increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system. Ataxia Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that can lead to Ataxia include: cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, Athletes with Ataxia have stroke and multiple sclerosis. Physical Impairments uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system. Athetosis Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that can lead to Athetosis include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury Athletes with Athetosis have and stroke. continual slow involuntary movements. Impaired Passive Range of Examples of an Underlying Health Condition that can lead to Impaired Passive Range of Movement include Athletes with Movement arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint Impaired Passive Range of immobilisation or trauma affecting a joint. Movement have a restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints. Updated: 15 May 2019 Classification Information Sheet Alpine Skiing What is the Minimal Disability Criteria? results in sufficient limitation in their sport. This is called the minimal disability criteria. This information is further detailed in the World Para Alpine Skiing Classification rules. Impairment Minimal Disability GUIDE ONLY Vision Impairment The Athlete must have at least one of the following Impairments: • Impairment of the eye structure; • Impairment of the optical nerve/optic pathways; • Impairment of the visual cortex. and acuity of less than or equal to LogMAR 1.0 or a visual field restricted to less than 40 degrees diameter Physical Limb loss or Leg: At least through ankle amputation. Impairment deficiency Arm: Residual limbs unable to hold and use a ski pole. Loss of muscle Loss of muscle power in at least one elbow, strength shoulder, hip, knee or ankle. Hypertonia Hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis in at least one leg. Ataxia Athetosis Joint movement Movement restriction in at least one elbow, restrictions shoulder joint, hip, knee or ankle. Leg length Leg length difference of at least 7cm. difference Non-Eligible Impairment Types for all Athletes Athletes Examples of Non-Eligible Impairments include, but are not limited to the following: • Pain; • Hearing Impairment; • Low muscle tone; • Hypermobility of joints; • Joint instability, such as unstable shoulder joint, recurrent dislocation of a joint; • Impaired muscle endurance; • Impaired motor reflex functions; • Impaired cardiovascular functions; • Impaired respiratory functions; • Impairment metabolic functions; • Tics and mannerisms, stereotypes and motor perseveration; • Short Stature; and • Intellectual Impairment Updated: 15 May 2019 Classification Information Sheet Alpine Skiing How do I get classified? Athletes with a vision impairment Classification is organised through Paralympics Australia www.paralympic.org.au/vision-classification/ Athletes with a physical impairment Classification is organised through Ski and Snowboard Australia www.skiandsnowboard.org.au What are the Paralympic classes for this sport? The list below is intended as a guide only. Only authorised classifiers are able to provide a formal classification in a particular sport. Class Examples (Guide Only) Athletes with a Vision Impairment Standing classes (all athletes use a guide skier) From no light perception in either eye to light perception, but inability to B1 recognise the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction. Ability to recognise objects up to a distance of 2 metres i.e. below 2/60 B2 and/or visual field of less than five (5) degrees. Can recognise contours between 2 and 6 metres away i.e. 2/60 6/60 B3 and visual field of more than five (5) degrees and less than twenty (20) degrees. Athletes with a Physical Impairment Standing classes LW1 Double above-knee amputees or similar impairment level LW2 Above knee amputee using outriggers and one ski outrigger skiers Double below-knee amputees or CP that affects both of their legs or their LW3 balance, who ski with 2 skis and 2 poles Skiers with below knee amputation using prosthesis, two skis and two LW4 poles Skiers with both hands / arms amputated or an equivalent disability LW5/7 meaning they are unable to use poles (LW5/7-1, LW5/7-2, LW 5/7-3) Skiers with one hand / arm amputated or a similar impairment meaning they can LW6/8 only use one pole (LW6/8 -1, LW6/8 -2) Impairment in one arm and one leg (including athletes with amputation, LW9 cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury), (LW9/1, LW9/2) Athletes with a Physical Impairment Sitting classes LW10 Mono skiers (high level of spinal cord injury), (LW10/1, LW10/2) LW11 Mono skiers (thoracic spinal cord injury) LW12 Mono skiers (paraplegia and double AK Amputees), (LW12/1, LW 12/2) Further Information National Ski and Snowboard Australia Paralympics Australia E: [email protected] E: [email protected] P: +61 3 9696 2344 P: +61 2 9704 0500 International World Para Alpine Skiing Updated: 15 May 2019 .