Snowboard racing

Snowboard racing is competitive snowboarding in which riders descend marked courses head-to-head or against the clock. Events reward speed while requiring control through turns, gates, jumps, or terrain features.

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Snowboard cross: A snowboard race in which several riders descend a course of turns, jumps, and other features together. Its pack racing makes passing and line choice decisive.
Snowboard: A board ridden sideways over snow, controlled through stance, balance, and edge pressure. Its shape and flex affect acceleration, turning, and stability on race courses.
Snowboard cross at the Winter Olympics: The Olympic snowboard cross competition, where multiple riders race together on a shared course. Its 2006 debut made pack racing an Olympic medal event.
Snowboard freestyle: Snowboarding focused on performing tricks and maneuvers on jumps, rails, or varied terrain. Freestyle is judged for execution and difficulty rather than finishing order.
Parallel giant slalom: A snowboard race in which two riders descend parallel courses marked by turning gates. Its paired runs turn technical racing into direct elimination.
Snowboard carving: A turning technique in which a snowboard follows an arc on its edge with little sideways skidding. Clean carved turns preserve speed between race gates.
Parallel giant slalom at the Winter Olympics: The Olympic parallel giant slalom competition, contested by two riders on adjacent courses. Its head-to-head format contrasts with individual timed alpine events.
Snowboard halfpipe: A snowboard event in which athletes perform judged tricks inside a U-shaped snow channel. Its scored runs replace the direct speed ranking used in racing.
Snowboard slalom: A snowboard race through closely spaced gates that demand rapid, repeated turns. Tight gate spacing emphasizes edge changes and precise turning.
Snowboard edge: The metal or reinforced side of a snowboard that grips snow during turns and braking. Edge grip lets racers hold a line on hard, steep courses.