Course and rope

[lpskier]

So why is the slalom course 23 meters wide, and why do we ski 18, 16.25, 14.25, 13,12 etc? Who established these dimensions and why did they do it?

[Horton]

23 meters ... it was 75 ft before the conversion to metric. The width of the course was the same as the original maximum rope line. 75 ft.

 

[lpskier]

The discussion I was hoping to start is not what the dimensions are but why they are what they are. Who decided to go from 16 to 14.25 to 13 meters and why were those measurements chosen. Who decided on the dimensions of the metric course and why those dimensions? Is there some mathematics formula that was applied? Was it random? Trial and error?

 

Too bad Ed Brazil isn’t around because he would know, and it would start in “the way back” when he was driving to nationals in Texas from New Hampshire for $23 in gas and slept in the car just so he could watch the tournament. We miss you, Ed.

[ALPJr]

Good question, why are the buoys 37.5 ft from centerline? Always thought a 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 off rope would be fun for most skiers.

[MattP]

@Edbrazil dropped some great knowledge in this thread on course dimensions and the switch to metric. I know he posted more on the subject in other places but will take some time to find.

 

https://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/12328/slalom-course-redesign-a-thread-for-those-suffering-from-b-r-d-s/p2

[lpskier]

@MattP Thanks for the link.