This is a brief overview of classification in the sport and is in no way legally binding. In all cases the sport-specific classification rules will take precedence. For further questions please contact: parasnowboard@fis-ski.com.  
 

WHAT IS CLASSIFICATION?

In order to safeguard the integrity of fair competition, all Para sports have a system in place which aims to ensure that winning is determined by sporting factors such as skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus, the same factors that account for success in sport for able bodied athletes.

This system is called classification.

Through classification, it is determined which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how those athletes are then grouped together for competition, in order to minimise the impact of those athletes’ impairments on sport performance.

Classification is sport-specific because an impairment affects the ability to perform in different sports to a different extent. As a consequence, an athlete may meet the criteria to compete in one sport, but may not meet the criteria in another sport. Having an impairment is thus not sufficient for an athlete to compete in Para sport.

The groupings of athletes by the degree of activity limitation resulting from their impairments are called ‘Sport Classes’. This, to a certain extent, is similar to grouping athletes by age, gender or weight.

Classification across the Paralympic Movement is governed by the IPC Athlete Classification Code and Standards. More information about classification can be found here.

CLASSIFICATION IN PARA SNOWBOARD

The details of classification in Para Snowboard are set out in classification rules.

Athletes must have one of the eligible impairments and meet the minimum impairment criteria for the sport set out in those rules in order to be eligible to compete.

ELIGIBLE IMPAIRMENTS FOR PARA SNOWBOARD

All athletes in Para Snowboard have one or more of the following impairments:
   • Impaired Muscle Power
   • Limb Deficiency
   • Leg Length Difference
   • Hypertonia
   • Ataxia
   • Athetosis
   • Impaired Passive Range of Movement

SPORT CLASSES IN PARA SNOWBOARD

Athletes in Para Snowboard are grouped into the following sport classes. The sport class profiles are set out in classification rules.

SPORT CLASSES
Sport Class SB-LL1: Athletes have an impairment in one or both legs.
Sport Class SB-LL2: Athletes have an impairment in one or both legs.
Sport Class SB-UL: Athletes have an impairment in one or both arms.