Ski Cross vs. Snowboard Cross times, speeds and percentage differences Vancouver 2010
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2010 Olympic Winter Games
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Ski Cross vs. Snowboard Cross times, speeds and percentage differences
![Cypress Mountain CAN Ski Cross and Snowboard Cross Course 2010 OWG [1]](/index.php/Image:Cypress_Ski_and_Snowboard_Cross_Course.PNG.jpg)
It is commonly felt that the there are differences in the times and therefore speeds between skiers and snowboarders on the 'cross courses'. What these time differences actually are and there effects on safety, course design and build has not been fully understood.
At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, top ladies and men skiers and snowboarders competed on the same course but on different days. There were some slight modification of the jump takeoff between the snowboard cross course and the ski cross course. The course was same lenght, vertical drop and start and finish lines were in the same place. Temperture and light conditions effect the quality (hardness) of the snow and this can effect the times even during the race.
Given the different days, with different sets of competitors, can perhaps account for some of the differences in the times. However this course provided a unique opportunity to look into the differences and see in a general way what they are.
An review of the top skiers and snowboarders performances was determined by the results for the competitions. The results were published on the FIS web site.
The competitor in freestyle skiing and snowboarding are the top ranked competitors in the world. They all to performance to the highest level on the world cup in order to be qualified and then selected to the Games.
Table 1 Ski Cross vs. Snowboard Cross times, speeds and percentage differences
| Event | Time (sec) | Time difference (sec) | Velocity (m/s) | Velocity difference (m/s) |
| Men's SX | 72.73
| 15.73
| ||
| Ladies SX | 77.52
| 4.79
| 14.76
| -0.97
|
| Men's SBX | 80.93
| 8.20
| 14.14
| -1.59
|
| Ladies SBX | 85.76
| 13.03
| 13.34
| -2.39
|
The fastest times were in men's ski cross followed by ladies ski cross with a 4.79 second difference, then with men's snowboard cross with a 8.20 second difference followed by ladies snowboard cross with a 13.03 second difference. The difference in time for the 4 groups was just over 13 seconds or 2.39 meters per second.
'Table 2 Ski Cross vs. Snowboard Cross times, speeds and percentage differences'
| Event | | | | | |
| Men's SX | | | | | |
| Ladies SX | | | | | |
| Men's SBX | | | | | |
| Ladies SBX | | | | | |
Data
The official results from the qualification phase for each competition was used.
The time is shown in seconds and 100's of a second
The top five ranked competitors time, in the qualifications, were made into an average time for each event.
In snowboard Cross each competitors takes two runs. The best time was used and averaged.
In Ski Cross, each competitor takes 1 run and the time 5 best times were averaged.
The velocity in 'meters per second' was determined by taking the average time and then dividing it by the course lenght.
Course - 'Fork' Cypress Mountain
Start: 1178 m
Finish: 962 m
Length: 1144 m
Vertical Drop: 216 m
Weather
15.02.10 Men's SBX: Weather: Mostly cloudy Snow Temperature: -2 °C / 28 °F Temperature - Start: -1 °C / 30 °F Temperature - Finish: 0 °C / 32 °F
16.02.10 Ladies SBX; Weather: Mostly cloudy Snow Temperature: 0 °C / 32 °F Temperature - Start: 1 °C / 34 °F Temperature - Finish: 2 °C / 36 °F
21.02.10 Men's SX: Air Temperature: 3 °C / 38 °F, Air Temperature: 3 °C / 38 °F, Wind Direction: NW, Wind Speed: 2.1 m/sec
23.02.10 Ladies SX: Air Temperature: 0 °C / 32 °F, Snow Temperature: 0 °C / 32 °F, Wind Direction: S, Wind Speed: 2.1 m/sec
References
- Sports injuries and illnesses during the Winter Olympic Games 2010 [2]
- Snowboardcross most dangerous game [3]
Return to, Vancouver 2010, Freestyle Skiing or Olympic Winter Games - Freestyle Skiing
