Downhill.

Downhill is an alpine skiing discipline. The rules for the Downhill were originally developed by Sir Arnold Lunn for the 1921 British National Ski Championships. "Downhill skiing" is a commonly used term that is synonymous with "alpine skiing" to denote the sport and recreational activity of alpine skiing.

Equipment.

Equipment for the Downhill is different from the alpine events that are lower-speed. Skis are 30% longer than those used in Slalom, for more stability at high speed. They usually have rounded, low-profile tips rather than pointed tips. Ski poles are bent so as to curve around the body as the racer stays in a "tuck position" and may have aerodynamic, cone-shaped baskets. As in other alpine disciplines, Downhill racers wear skin-tight suits to minimize drag, and helmets are mandatory.

Races.In all forms of Downhill, both at

a local youth-level as well as the higher FIS international level, racers are allowed extensive preparation for the race, which includes daily course inspection and discussion with their coaches and teammates as well as several practice runs before the actual race. Racers do not make any unnecessary turns while on the course, and try to do everything they can to maintain the most aerodynamic position while negotiating turns and jumps.

TOP 7 DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKING PARKS AND COURSES. WHISTLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARKBritish Columbia is a downhill mountain bikers dream. FERNIE ALPINE RESORTLocated outside of Calgary, near the Montana border. KURANDA DOWNHILL IN CAIRNSOn the whole, Australia is a pretty flat continent. MOUNT STROMLO AUSTRALIAThis downhill course, located near Canberra, Australia, also

makes the best of Australia’s moderately hilly terrain. SUN PEAKS IN KAMLOOPS, BCYet another of the best downhill courses lurks in this mountain

bike-friendly province of Canada. KILLINGTON MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK It’s the best of the New England landscape. SNOWMASS, COLORADOAs Colorado’s heavyweight of skiing and snowboarding,

Governing bodies

The Union Cycliste Internationale is governing body for downhill mountain bike racing. Racers qualify to compete in World Cup races by earning UCI points, which are gained by being a top ten finisher in certain races, usually national.

In the U.S., NORBA, as part of USA Cycling, runs the National Mountain Bike Series, and the NCCA is the governing body for collegiate cycling. In the UK, British Cycling controls mountain biking as well as road and BMX. In Australia, MTBA controls all disciplines of Mountain biking.