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What does the G mean in super-G?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 16, 2026

Super giant slalom, or super-G, is a racing discipline of alpine skiing. Along with the faster downhill, it is regarded as a "speed" event, in contrast to the technical events giant slalom and slalom.

Why is it called super-G?

The super-G stands for super giant slalom, an event that combines the speed of downhill with the more precise turns of giant slalom.

What is super-G real name?

Lensford Martinez, better known as “'Supa G,” is a musical sensation from Georgetown, Belize.

What does super-G mean in alpine skiing?

Definition of super G

: an Alpine skiing event combining elements of downhill and giant slalom.

What is the difference between GS and super-G?

Skiers make two runs for each event, and their times for both are combined. The Super G, as the Super Giant Slalom is known, is considered a speed event, and each skier makes only one run. The course is longer than the one for the Giant Slalom with a higher vertical drop.

23 related questions found

What is faster downhill or super-G?

Super giant slalom, or super-G, is a racing discipline of alpine skiing. Along with the faster downhill, it is regarded as a "speed" event, in contrast to the technical events giant slalom and slalom.

How long are super-G skis?

Super G Skis are at least 200cm long with a minimum turning radius of 40 meters for women and 45 meters for men.

What is the difference between alpine and super-G?

The alpine combined consists of one downhill run and one slalom run, both of which are completed on the same day. While the downhill can be performed on a super-G course, according to Olympics.com, the Beijing 2022 schedule has the events listed as downhill and slalom.

How fast do they go in super-G?

According to the official Olympics website, downhill skiers reach speeds of about 80 mph, although they can travel up to 100 mph depending on the course.

Is super-G two runs?

How many runs are there in super-G? Each skier makes just one run down the course and the fastest time wins.

Who won women's super-G 2022?

YANQING, Beijing, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland won women's Super-G gold on Friday at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Gut-Behrami clocked a winning time of one minute and 13.51 seconds to add another medal to the bronze she won at Monday's giant slalom.

Why do slalom skiers hit the gates?

Rather, hitting the gates lets skiers take the most direct route they can down each track, with the tightest, narrowest turns possible. The rule is that each skier must cross between each set of gates two gates on their way down the slope, and pushing through the inner-edge of the middle gate counts.

What does ski out mean slalom?

Simply put, skiing out means missing a gate at any point during a ski race. The consequences of doing so are instant disqualification from the event even if it spans multiple runs, as slalom, giant slalom and the combined event do at the Winter Olympics.

Is super-G the fastest?

classification of Alpine skiing

supergiant slalom (super-G), and downhill—each of which is progressively faster and has fewer turns than its predecessor on the list. Super-G and downhill are known as speed events, which are contested in single runs down long, steep, fast courses featuring few and widely spaced turns.…

Does downhill have gates?

downhill skiing, ski race for speed on an adjusted downhill course that is marked by gates formed by paired poles, set at least 8 metres (26 feet) apart, through which the racer must pass.

How fast is giant slalom?

For reference, athletes who compete in giant slalom typically reach speeds of around 50 mph, while slalom skiers clock in around 43 mph. While downhill may be one of the most basic courses in alpine skiing, it's also one of the most dangerous.

Which is faster bobsled or luge?

Luge is the fastest Winter Olympic sport with athletes at average speeders greater than their counterparts in bobsleigh and skeleton.

What is the fastest downhill ski speed?

Official world records

  • Men-Ivan Origone (Italy) 254.958 km/h (158.424 mph).
  • Women—Valentina Greggio (Italy), 247.083 km/h (153.530 mph).

What is the fastest skiing event?

The Alpine skiing men's downhill event holds the distinction as the sport's fastest and most dangerous discipline. With its swooping blind turns, heavy compressions and high-speed jumps, the downhill is an all-out brawl against the laws of physics in the name of speed.

What are FIS race skis?

FIS skis are always going to have a more rigid flex pattern than retail skis. This rigidity is not only along the length of the ski as most people are aware, FIS skis are also more rigid torsionally. They are usually made with a laminated wood core and include additional layers of titanium for added strength.

Can you use GS skis for super-G?

Men's FIS GS Skis for Super-G? Since the advent of the FIS sidecut rule, many masters racers have had success using men's FIS GS skis for super-G, which are just under 200cm long with a ≥35m radius.

What is a slalom run?

slalom, ski race that follows a winding course between gates (pairs of poles topped with flags), devised by British sportsman Arnold Lunn (later Sir Arnold Lunn) in the early 1920s.