Classification
Disability Categories
All skiers shall be divided into the following categories:
- arm disabilities; categories A1 & A2,
- leg amputees; categories L & LP,
- multiple plegics and double leg amputees; categories MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4 & MP5
- vision impaired; categories V1 & V2
- arm and leg disabilities; categories A/L1 & A/L2.
Category Definitions
Arm Disabilities
A1: Skiers with any arm disability preventing him or her from using the disabled limb normally while skiing is eligible for category A. In any event, the disabled upper limb cannot come in contact, directly or indirectly, with the tow handle or the tow line while the skier is in the course. If this happens, it will have the same consequences as if a fall had occurred at that moment.
A2: Skiers with any hand and/or arm disability preventing him or her from holding the handle normally while skiing is eligible for category A2. The disabled upper limb may come in contact, directly or indirectly, with the tow handle or the tow line while the skier is in the course
Leg Amputees
L: leg amputees without prosthesis.
LP: leg amputees with prosthesis. The leg with the prosthesis must be of the same length as the leg without the prosthesis +/- 10 cm
Multiple Plegics and Double Leg Amputees
MP1 Skier: No controlled trunk movement (unsupported) in all planes. Little or no balance in both forward and sideways directions. Balance and movement are significantly impaired. Skier is unable to hold or maintain holding the handle with hands. Skiers have no trunk rotation and no use of abdominal muscles. Skiers in this class generally have complete tetraplegia/quadriplegia, although skiers with other diagnoses may qualify in this category.
MP2 Skier: Little or no controlled trunk movement in all planes. Balance in both forward and sideways directions significantly impaired and skiers rely on their arms to return them to the upright position when unbalanced. No active trunk rotation and no use of abdominal muscles. Skiers in this class are generally quadriplegics, may be incomplete quadriplegics with more functional ability and high-level paraplegics, although other diagnoses may qualify in this category.
MP3 Skier: Some partially controlled trunk movement in the forward direction, but little or no controlled sideways movement, has upper trunk rotation but poor lower trunk rotation. Skiers in this category are generally mid-level break paraplegics, although skiers with other diagnoses may qualify in this category.
MP4 Skier: Good trunk movement in the forward direction to his/her knees and up again without arm support. Has good trunk rotation but limited controlled sideways movement. Skiers in this category are generally lower level break paraplegics, although skiers with other diagnoses may qualify in this category.
MP5 Skier: Normal trunk movement in all directions, able to reach side to side with no limitations. Able to move hips independently. Skiers in this category are generally amputees who cannot ski standing and skiers with required minimum disability and who display controlled sideways (hip) movement.
Vision Impaired
Vision impaired skiers shall be classified as follows, using the best eye with the best possible correction:
V1: No light perception at all in either eye, up to light perception but inability to recognise the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction.
V2: From ability to recognise the shape of a hand up to a visual acuity of 2/60 (20/600) and/or a visual field of less than five degrees.
V3: From a visual acuity of 2/60 (20/600) up to a visual acuity of 6/60 (20/200) and/or a visual field of more than five degrees and less than twenty degrees.
Skiers classified as V2 and V3 will always ski in one single category named V2/3.
Arm and Leg Disabilities
Categories A/L1 and A/L2
Skiers with significant arm and leg impairment, arm and leg amputation, and hemiplegia are eligible for this category which may also include skiers with cerebral palsy and other disabilities/conditions