European Cup Starts in Italy

12 Feb 2010 By IPC

The 2010 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Alpine Skiing European Cup Finals have officially begun today in Arta Terme, Italy.

Taking place from 12-14 February, the races today will include Super Combined (SG and SL) with an awards ceremony later in the day. A total of 93 athletes from 14 different countries are competing at the European Cup Finals.

The 2010 IPC Alpine Skiing European Cup Finals are under the organization of Sci Club Due-US Acli Monfalcone-Ronchi (GO06) and supported by Regione Autonoma Friuli -Venezia Giulia – Assessorato allo Sport Assessorato al Turismo.

Athletes in Alpine Skiing events must combine speed and agility while racing down slopes at speeds of around 100km/h. There are five events on the Paralympic Programme: Downhill, Super-G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom and Slalom. Paralympic competition accommodates male and female athletes with a physical disability such as spinal injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, les autres conditions and blindness/visual impairment. Athletes compete in three categories based on their functional ability, and a results calculation system allows athletes with different impairments to compete against each other.