What is it?
The most technically demanding discipline in Alpine skiing. Before racers move on to downhill, slalom and super-G they must master the wide, carving turns of GS. The event is all about fast, rhythmical turns, the idea being to keep as much speed as possible through a series of gates.
Rules
Racers get two runs, the winner having the best aggregate time. The gates are moved after the first run so there is a different course for the second run. Both races are held on the same section of mountain.
History
Giant slalom developed from slalom in the 1940s with the new discipline having fewer turns on a flatter course. It became an Olympic sport in 1952 and has been part of the FIS World Cup circuit for over 30 years.
Random fact
Legendary French skier Jean Claude Killy topped the first World Cup giant slalom standings in 1966/67. He also finished the season ranked top of the World Cup downhill, slalom and combined disciplines.
The lowdown
- Italian superstar Alberto Tomba won the giant slalom World Cup title four times in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Croatia's Janica Kostelic is the current Olympic women's champion; Austria's Stephan Eberharter holds the men's title.
- The width of each GS gate varies between four and eight metres wide.
- Giant slalom gates alternate between red and blue to avoid confusing the racers.
The one to beat
Michael Von Gruenigan has won the World Cup title three times - 1996, 1997 and 1999. The Swiss superstar has also been ranked in the world's top 10 since 1992.
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