[Photo: Bob Thomas] Vreni Schneider, dressed for slalom, wearing gauntlets, shin pads and a helmet for protection. Note the tip deflectors, which can prevent a ski from being hooked on the wrong side of a pole.

Slalom is one of two so-called "technical" disciplines (the other being giant slalom). It tests the skier in short radius turns, requiring balance, agility and quick reactions. Alternate blue and red gates are set between 4 and 6 metres wide. The snow should be as hard as possible to slow the development of ruts. Competitors are timed over two runs on different courses, each usually taking around 50 seconds. Skis are typically 165-175cm for men, and 150-165cm for women.

In order to ski the fastest line, competitors must commence their turns early, well above the gate. Starting turns late results in skidding and loss of speed. Rapid-gates, which fold when hit, allow skiers to take the pole across the shins or body without losing speed, and skiers adjust their path accordingly.

[Photo: Lee Cohen, Brian Head] Not quite Slalom - no gates here!