How can sports like downhill skiing have world records for time when they can take place on different mtns, courses, etc that can’t be controlled for?

Question

How can sports like downhill skiing have world records for time when they can take place on different mtns, courses, etc that can’t be controlled for?

In: 8

Answer 1

Speed skiing (not to be confused with alpine downhill) has legitimate world records because they are somewhat standardized, and the record is maximum speed in a speed trap

Downhill courses are similar at the same venue, but not exactly the same. So even course records need a grain of salt.

Slalom changes morning to afternoon. I am unaware of any claims of world records in SL, GS, or super G, unless you are talking about medal counts, world cups, etc.

Answer 2

I can’t speak to downhill skiing, but in sports like Triathlon and Running, there are limitations to “records” that stipulate the course conditions must be within certain wind speeds, temperature ranges, limitations on uphill/downhill inclines, etc. So any course that, say for example, is just a straight downhill slope for 26.2 miles would be excluded from “world record” keeping stats. Similarly if an approved course has 20 mile per hour tail winds that day or something. So there are some standards that apply that try and “balance” different courses if they are aiming for world record type titles.

Answer 3

At least in the downhill event the courses cary similar prestige to motor racing tracks. There’s no one world record race, each track has its own world record pace. A major redesign to the course would warrant starting a new list of times. I’m not sure if the same hold true for slalom, GS and Super-G. There are more rules about course length and number of gates in those disciplines, but I imagine major race venues would also track their own world record.

Answer 4

Because they are actually pretty well controlled.

The courses are very very well manicured and groomed, and the slopes have to fit relatively specific criteria to be used.

That’s why is you actually look at where all the events are held, you’ll find that they’re actually usually relatively spread out over several mountains if not more so everything fits the criteria it needs.