People like the idea of flying down a hill at top speeds and competing against others. This is the idea behind the inline alpine skating. This is both a means to practice for those who normally ski competitively and those who compete in the summer months. There are three competitions that fall within the alpine skating realm and all three are very much like the skiing version during the winter. This also allows for a person who is very competitive to work on two sports and not have to learn an entirely new one to be able to succeed.
Alpine Slalom
The skate version of slalom is quite a bit like the ski version. The competitor goes down a hill and has to go between two flexible poles or gets a penalty. The people have the first heat and the scores are tallied. Then the top 50 are allowed to go for a second run on the same course and those scores determine the winner of the entire event. The score is based on the time that it takes to make it through the course and the poles that are successfully handled. Unsuccessful attempts have a slight time penalty.
Giant Slalom
The giant slalom had a difference because of the length and amount of poles to deal with. Many of the rest of the rules are the same. The poles are separated between 30 and 45 feet to make it somewhat easy to get to them. It is not allowed to take the course in a way that causes the competitors to have to brake heavily. The competitors are not allowed to go back to navigate poles they miss. This is also like people would see in the Olympics for the ski version that is so popular for viewers.
Parallel Slalom
Where would a good sport be that does not have a version where people are racing? That is where parallel slalom comes into play. Two racers go down a hill and have to get the poles that are marked with their color. This combines racing, times, and other features that fans love about the slalom style of skiing and skating. There have to be 20 to 25 gates and there have to be at least 18 feet in between. The top 32 are then able to make a second run to find out who the best racer is.
One Worry
Most people who know what a slalom is known that there can be spectacular wipeouts for the people racing. Imagine the worst alpine skiing accident and imagine that happening on asphalt. Most people who practice for this sport do not have access to closed roads, so this means many are going down active roads with vehicles traversing them. This adds to the chances that someone will meet a harder surface than the snow skiers have to contend with. This is why safety equipment is a must for anyone looking to enter this sport that has grown worldwide.
International Impact
While the United States has not had a large presence when it comes to the alpine sports, this does not mean other countries have not kept it going. One of the countries people can be surprised by is India. The Asian nation has grown to love the sport. Japan is another Asian nation with a strong presence and a good set of courses. There are many European nations that are working to keep their dominance, especially as it is called alpine. This does not mean that Americans do not make a showing, but they need to work harder.
Equipment Needs
When seeing someone who is competing in alpine skate sports, it will look like the person just got off a motorcycle. There is a need for a helmet, but this was already normal from the ski version. There is padding all over and many times this is thicker than the skiing style that people see on television. There is the need for poles, which helps maintain the balance of the skater as they go through the curved course. Safety is paramount, as wiping out on asphalt can leave scars and break bones as there is no snow padding.
International Competitions
For the world of inline alpine skating, there are competitions that go all the way up to a world cup. This starts with national level competitions that a person has to work up to. They then can be one of the 15 selected by their home nation to compete for the world cup. The only difference is that the country sponsoring a race can have 35. There are five world cup stages to see who can make the most points, all within Europe. There is also no parallel slalom in these competitions, just the regular and giant slaloms.
All Genders
There is quite a bit of buzz when it comes to sports that are on skates, though men seem to dominate many of the popular entertainment choices. This does not mean women are not practicing for skiing via inline skates or being competitive. Look at web forums like Ski Diva and see that they are talking about inline skating and how it has improved their abilities on skis. This means that women do not need to be snow bunnies and get out there with the guys. Do not let the popular movies and video games slow down the fun.
Inline alpine skating is a great way to enjoy either competing or practicing. People of different ages and genders show that this is the sport for summer. Get used to the skates and then get out on the asphalt. It just takes the right equipment and the right drive. Decide which version is right and get out there. There is a large community there for support, as long as a person looks for it.
