| A-Net |
Suspension net 4 to 6 meters tall installed in hazardous zones on alpine courses |
| ATS |
Alpine Training System: the USSA athlete development system |
| B-Net |
Safety nets used on the sides of courses for protection, supported by poles. |
| Base grind |
The pattern that is ground into the base of the ski depending on the snow type. |
| Bevel |
The angle that is applied to the side edge relative to the base of the ski. |
| Bibbo |
The start order of the top 30 finishers in SL and GS: 30th fastest goes 1st. |
| Booster straps |
Velcro straps applied to the cuff of ski boots to increased the stiffness. |
| Boot canting |
An adjustment made to boots to achieve a neutral stance. |
| brushes |
Nylon brush markers used alone or with gates in training courses to set the line. |
| diamond stone |
One of many different tuning toolsused to sharpen and polish ski edges. |
| first seed |
The top 15 ranked racers in an event. |
| FIS |
Federation Internationale de Ski: international governing body of ski racing. |
| flush |
A single combination of gates set in SL to change the rhythm or move across hill. |
| gummi |
Different grits of gummi stones are used to buff ski edges. |
| hairpin |
A double combination of gates set in SL to change the rhythm or move across hill. |
| headtax |
Portion of the race entry fee paid to USSA. |
| homologation |
Certification of a race course meeting FIS standards. |
| intent to compete |
Coaches intend their racers for an event; entry is dependent on quota |
| lifter |
A thin plastic platform attached to the binding to lift the boot higher off the ski. |
| make the flip |
To finish in the top 30 in the 1st run. Racer start position is "flipped" for 2nd run. |
| NGB |
National Governing Body: USSA |
| NorAm |
North American Cup; a higher level FIS race series contested in the US and Canada |
| plomb |
The seal affixed to speed suits to testify they comply with FIS standards |
| QRP |
Qualification Race Points: the system used to select elite athletes to teams. |
| ROC |
Race Organizing Committee |
| sanction |
1.Approve a race 2. Penalize an athlete. |
| sidecut/radius |
The regulated shape of the ski which determines the arc of the turn it can make. |
| snow seed |
In speed events when higher ranked athletes are sent ahead to clear new snow. |
| Speed/Tech |
DH and SG/SL and GS |
| stealth |
A protective, padded shirt worn under the speedsuit. |
| stubby |
Short gates used in training runs. |
| TD |
Technical Delegate: the representative of the FIS overseeing the race. |
| WR |
World Ranking |
