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From the Olympics Toword Tomorrow

Shinano Mainichi

Snowboading

Men	Giant Slalom Feb 8 ( 9:30-) Half Pipe (E) Feb 12 ( 9:30-) Half Pipe (Final) Feb 12 (13:30-)
Women	Giant Slalom Feb 10 ( 9:30-) Half Pipe (E) Feb 12 ( 9:30-) Half Pipe (Final) Feb 12 (13:30-)

Grand slalom

The skiers have two trials as in alpine skiing, and they are ranked based upon their total time. At Nagano, the course is 936 meters long, with an average incline of 18.2 degrees. The course is balanced between left and right turns so that there is no advantage for skiers with a "goofy stance" (with the right foot forward), or for those with a "regular stance" (with left food forward).

Half pipe

In this event, a special course made with a semi-cylindrical shape (similar to the shape of a pipe is cut in half) is used. Skiers ski down from the starting position to gain speed, and use the "lips" (edges) of the course to execute jumps and turns, and compete in terms of degree of difficulty and perfection in execution. Five judges examine each skier on specific items such as the height, turning technique, and landing. The ranking is decided on the basis of total points won.

The top five contestants in the preliminary trial automatically qualify for the final. Those who rank between 6th and 20th place in the first trial compete in the second trial, and the top five players then go on to the final. In the final, too, the contestants run the course twice. (originally run May 17, 1997)

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Copyright 1998 The Shinano Mainichi Shimbun