There are eleven classifications for athletes with a physical disability (seven for standing and three for sitting) and three for athletes with visual impairments. When classifications are combined in competition due to an insufficient number of athletes in a class, a formula is used to "factor" athletes' times according to their classification status.

Visually impaired

• B1 Totally blind
• B2 Partially sighted with little remaining sight
• B3 Partially sighted with more remaining sight

 

Standing

• LW1 double above-knee amputees
• LW2 outrigger skiers
• LW3 double below-knee amputees/ CP5, CP6
• LW4 skiers with prosthesis
• LW5/7 skiers without poles (LW5/7-1, LW5/7-2, LW 5/7-3)
• LW6/8 skiers with one pole (LW6/8 -1, LW6/8 -2)
• LW9 disability of arm and leg (Amputation, CP, Hemiplegic), (LW9/1, LW9/2)

 

Sitting

• LW10 mono skiers (high degree of paraplegia), (LW10/1, LW10/2)
• LW11 mono skiers (lower degree of paraplegia)
• LW12/1 mono skiers (lower degree of paraplegia, double AK Amputees), (LW12/1, LW 12/2)

 

LOCOMOTOR DISABLED ATHLETES

Class LW 1
Eligible for class LW 1 are those with severe disabilities in both lower limbs; typical disability
profile of the class: double above knee amputation

a. Disabled competitor skiing with 2 stabilizers or 2 poles plus normal skis tied together (2 above knee prostheses).
b. Disabled competitor skiing with 2 stabilizers or 2 poles plus 1 or 2 normal skis with a below knee prosthesis and an above knee amputation.
c. Disabled competitor skiing with 2 stabilizers or 2 poles and 2 normal skis or different skis and having a disability in both lower limbs other than amputation with a maximum of 35 points (normal 80) in both lower limbs or the equivalent disability.
d. Disabled competitor skiing with 2 stabilizers or 2 poles plus 1 or 2 normal skis. CP 5 with severe diplegic involvement.
e. Disabled competitor skiing with 2 stabilizers or 2 poles plus 1 or 2 normal skis. CP 6 with athetoid or ataxic impairment.

Class LW 2
Eligible for class LW 2 are those with severe disabilities in one lower limb. Typical disability profile
of the class: single above knee amputation

a. Disabled competitor skiing with 2 stabilizers plus 1 normal ski; single above or below knee amputation or with a maximum of 10 muscle points (normal 40) in one limb or equivalent disability.
b. Disabled competitor skiing with 2 stabilizers plus 1 normal ski plus 1 small ski due to a disability of one lower limb.
c. Disabled competitor skiing with 2 stabilizers plus 1 normal ski and 1 support for the disabled lower limb.
d. Disabled competitors skiing with 2 stabilizers plus 2 normal skis with single through knee or above knee amputations.
e. Disabled competitors skiing with 2 stabilizers plus 1 or 2 normal skis with arthrodesis of the knee and the hip of one leg.

Note: Poles may be used instead of stabilizers.

Class LW 3
Eligible for class LW 3 are those with the disabilities in both lower limbs, and skiing with 2 normal
skis and 2 poles or stabilizers: typical disability profile of the class: double below knee amputation

LW 3/1
1. Double below knee amputation, minimal through the ankle joint.
2. Disabilities of both lower limbs with a maximum of 60 muscle points (normal 80). i.e. Those competitors who are able to edge the skis belong to class 3/2. This decision is made by IPC Alpine Skiing SAEC.

LW 3/2
a. CP 5 – moderate to slight diplegic involvement
b. CP 6 – moderate athetoid or ataxic impairment

Class LW 4
Eligible for class LW 4 are those with disabilities in a lower limb skiing with 2 normal skis and 2 poles: typical disability profile of the class: single below knee amputation

a. Single below knee amputation with prosthesis, minimal through the ankle joint
b. Motor paresis or paralysis with a maximum of 20 points (normal 40)
c. Fused knee
d. Fused hip (arthrodesis)

Note: Not eligible for class LW 4: fused ankle/s is/are not a minimal disability.

Class LW 5/7
For winter sports classes 5 and 7 are combined.
Eligible for class LW 5/7 are those with disabilities in both upper limbs skiing with 2 normal skis
and without poles. The disability shall be such that the functional use of poles is not possible.
Typical disability profile of the class: double arm amputation.

LW 5/7- 1
a. Double amputation of upper limbs above elbow. Motor paresis or paralysis or dysmelia of both upper limbs comparable to 5/7 1 a.

LW 5/7- 2
a. One arm above elbow and one arm below elbow amputation.
b. Motor paresis or paralysis or dysmelia of both upper limbs comparable to 5/7 2 a.

LW 5/7- 3
a. Double amputation of upper limbs below elbow.
b. Motor paresis or paralysis or dysmelia of both upper limbs comparable to 5/7 3 a.

Note: Competitors are allowed to use prostheses or orthoses if they wish.

Class LW 6/8
For winter sport classes 6 and 8 are combined.
Eligible for class LW 6/8 are those disabilities in one upper limb, skiing with 2 normal skis and one pole. The disability shall be such that the functional use of more than one pole is not possible. Typical disability profile of the class: single arm amputation.

LW 6/8- 1
a. Amputation of one upper limb above elbow.
b. Dysmelia of one upper limb, comparable to 6/8 1 a.
c. Complete paralysis of one upper limb, with fixation to trunk.

LW 6/8- 2
a. Amputation of one upper limb below elbow.
b. Dysmelia of one upper limb comparable to 6/8 2 a.
c. Paralysis of one upper limb without fixation to trunk.

Note: Competitors are allowed to use prosthesis or orthosis if they wish.

Class LW 9
Typical disability profile: one single upper limb and one single lower limb amputation skiing with the equipment of their choice.

LW 9/1
a. Those disabled in one upper limb and one lower limb with above knee amputation or comparable disability
b. CP 7 - athletes with severe hemiplegia

LW 9/2
a. Those disabled in one upper limb and below knee amputation or comparable disability
b. CP 7 - Athletes with minimal or moderate to slight hemiplegia

Classes LW 10, LW 11, LW 12
Eligible for the classes LW 10, LW 11, LW 12 are those with disabilities in lower limbs and skiing with a Sit-Ski of their choice.

LW 10/1
a. Athletes with disabilities in the lower limbs, no upper abdominal function and no functional
sitting balance. This is normally due to a spinal cord lesion around the level T 5/6.
b. Cerebral Palsy with disabilities in all four limbs (functional classification) comparable to LW 10/1 a.

LW 10/2
Athletes with disabilities in the lower limbs, some upper abdominal function and no functional sitting balance. This is normally due to a spinal cord lesion at the levels of T 7- T10. Point score 0 - 8 points (guideline)

LW11
1. Athletes with disabilities in the lower limbs and a fair sitting balance
2. Cerebral Palsy with disabilities in lower extremities
This is normally due to a spinal cord lesion at the levels of T 11-L1. Point score 9 - 15 points (guideline). Athletes who have function in the lower limbs are not allowed to use it outside of the equipment at
any time during the race.

LW12/1
Athletes with a spinal cord lesion or other disabilities with some function in the lower limbs and a good sitting balance. Point score 16 - 18 points (guideline).

LW12/2
Athletes with an amputation in the lower limbs (Note: Minimal disability corresponding to LW 4)

 

CP ATHLETES

Class LW 1
a. Severe diplegic involvement
b. Walking with assistive devices
c. Running is barely or not at all possible
d. Standing on one leg possible only for short time
e. Severe athetosis or ataxia
f. Poor balance
g. Laboured locomotion
h. Trunk sways to lead lower extremity movement

Class LW 3
a. Moderate to slight diplegic involvement
b. Minimal athetosis
c. Walking and running without severe trunk sway
d. Standing on one leg is possible, also jumping on one leg

Class LW 9/1
a. Severe to moderate hemiplegic involvement
b. Walking is possible with visible limping
c. Running is limited with obvious
d. Jumping on one leg is not possible
e. Standing on one leg is hardly possible

Class LW 9/2
a. Moderate to slight hemiplegic
b. Marked limp when walking
c. Limp disappears when running
d. Standing and jumping on the affected side is possible

 

VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES
Eligible for competition are those who meet the criteria of the classes B1, B2, B3.

B1: No light perception in either eye up to light perception, but inability to recognise the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction
B2: From ability to recognise the shape of a hand up to a visual acuity of 2/60 and/or visual field of less than 5 degrees.
B3: From visual acuity above 2/60 up to visual acuity of 6/60 and/or visual field of more than 5 degrees and less than 20 degrees.

All classification in best eye with best correction.