What are all these Alpine Skiing events?
Alpine skiing has so many variations: downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, Slalom and Super Combined. If you’re not a skier, this can be confusing.
Downhill is the longest, fastest race. There is a path that skiers need to stay on, but it doesn’t require the precision of slalom. Speeds reach about 90 mph.
Slalom is a relatively short race. It features sharp turns around flags, requiring speed and agility. This is a two-run race. Many skiers get disqualified by missing gates.
Giant slalom is a longer version of slalom. The turns are not quite as tight. This is also a two-run race.
Super G (short for super giant slalom) is a longer, faster version of Giant slalom. It’s a relatively new Olympic event, debuting in 1988. There are no training runs on Super G.
Re-introduced in 1988, Super Combined combines one downhill race with one slalom run. The fastest combined time wins.
Nice summary of the racing events. Should also include the other none racing events which are part of alpine skiing, such as moguls and ski cross. Moguls at the Olympics are the best event to watch!