2010 Winter Olympics, Didier Defago in downhill

Downhill is an alpine skiing discipline. The rules for the Downhill were originally developed by Sir Arnold Lunn for the 1921 British National Ski Championships. "Downhill skiing" is a commonly used term that is synonymous with "alpine skiing" to denote the sport and recreational activity of alpine skiing.

The Downhill discipline involves the highest speeds and therefore the greatest risks of all the alpine events. Racers on a typical international-level course exceed speeds of 130 km/h (81 mph) and some courses, such as the notable Lauberhorn course in Wengen, Switzerland, and the Hahnenkamm course in Kitzbühel, Austria, speeds of up to 150 km/h (93 mph) in certain sections are common. Competing in the Downhill event requires skiers to perfect an aerodynamically efficient (tuck) position to minimize drag and increase speed.^[1] This contrasts to the technical expertise required in lower speed slalom events (Super G, Giant Slalom & Slalom) where turns are progressively more emphasized.^[2]

Course[link]

A typical Downhill course begins at or near the top of the mountain on a piste that is closed off to the public and groomed specially for the race. Gates are farther apart^[3]. The courses in the world's most notable ski areas are well-established and do not change a lot from year to year.

The course is designed to challenge the best skiers in a variety of ways: skiing at high speeds, through challenging turns, shallow dips, flats, and small airs (jumps). A good course will have all these elements in it, as well as some jumps intended to complicate matters and thrill both the racer and the spectators.

Equipment[link]

Austrian Downhill racing suit

Equipment for the Downhill is different from the alpine events that are lower-speed. Skis are 30% longer than those used in Slalom, for more stability at high speed. They usually have rounded, low-profile tips rather than pointed tips. Ski poles are bent so as to curve around the body as the racer stays in a "tuck position" and may have aerodynamic, cone-shaped baskets. As in other alpine disciplines, Downhill racers wear skin-tight suits to minimize drag, and helmets are mandatory.

In an attempt to increase safety, the 2003-2004 season saw the FIS increased the minimum sidecut radius for Downhill skis to 45 metres (148 ft) from 40 metres (130 ft), and impose minimum ski lengths for the first time: 215 centimetres (7.05 ft) for men, and 210 centimetres (6.9 ft) for women.

Races[link]

In all forms of Downhill, both at a local youth-level as well as the higher FIS international level, racers are allowed extensive preparation for the race, which includes daily course inspection and discussion with their coaches and teammates as well as several practice runs before the actual race. Racers do not make any unnecessary turns while on the course, and try to do everything they can to maintain the most aerodynamic position while negotiating turns and jumps.

Unlike Slalom and Giant Slalom, where racers have two combined times, in the Downhill, the race is a single "run." Times are typically between 1:30 (1 minute, 30 seconds) and 2:30 for World Cup courses and must be over 1 minute in length to meet international minimum standards. Tenths and hundredths and, occasionally, thousandths of seconds count: World Cup races and Olympic medals have sometimes been decided by as little as one or two hundredths of a second, and ties are not unheard of.

The most successful all-time winners of World Cup Downhill races are Annemarie Moser-Pröll of Austria (36 wins, 7 women's titles)^[4] and Franz Klammer of Austria (25 wins, 5 men's titles).^[5] Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. is currently dominant in woman's downhill racing with a lifetime total of 25 World Cup downhill wins.^[6][7]

Risks[link]

Safety netting and padding are placed in worrisome areas where race officials anticipate crashes. Despite these safety precautions, the ski racing community is well aware of the inherent risks in Downhill skiing, for it is possible for racers to suffer serious injury or death while practicing or competing. Three Downhill-related deaths on the World Cup in recent years were those of Austrians Ulrike Maier in 1994 and Gernot Reinstadler and Frenchwoman Régine Cavagnoud in 2001. Also in 2001, Swiss downhiller Silvano Beltrametti was paralyzed in a high-speed crash.

See also[link]

• Alpine skiing combined
• Giant Slalom
• List of men's World Cup Downhill title winners
• List of women's World Cup Downhill title winners
• List of Olympic medalists in men's Downhill
• List of Olympic medalists in women's Downhill
• List of Paralympic medalists in men's Downhill
• List of Paralympic medalists in women's Downhill
• List of World Champions in Downhill
• Skiing and skiing topics
• Slalom
• Super Giant Slalom (Super G)
• U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association - National governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding in the United States

References[link]

External links[link]

• Sports Illustrated - The Downhill: Majesty and Madness, February 11, 1980
• YouTube video - The Thin Line: Life on the Edge - trailer - Downhill racing - 2007

Gee Atherton

Personal information
Full name	George David Atherton
Nickname	Gee, GeeMan
Born	(1985-02-26) 26 February 1985 (age 27) Salisbury, England, United Kingdom
Height	185 cm
Weight	85 kg
Team information
Current team	GT
Discipline	MTB
Role	Rider
Rider type	DH & 4X
Professional team(s)
2001 2002–2003 2004 2007–2011 2011–	Animal Animal/Muddy Fox Muddy Fox Animal Commençal GT Bicycles
Major wins
GBR DH National Champion (1 Wins) EUR DH European Champion (1 Wins) UCI DH World Champion (1 Wins) UCI DH World Cup (5 Wins) UCI 4X World Cup (1 Wins)
Medal record Competitor for  United Kingdom Mountain Bike World Championships Silver 2007 Fort William Downhill Gold 2008 Val Di Sol Downhill
Infobox last updated on 19 May 2009

Gee Atherton in the Elite Men's Dual Slalom race at the 2009 Sea Otter Classic in Laguna Seca, CA.

George David Atherton, known as Gee Atherton (born 26 February 1985, near Salisbury, England) is a professional racing cyclist specialising in downhill and four cross mountain bike racing, and is a multiple national champion, multiple World Cup winner, and 2010 downhill World Cup Champion.

Since 2007, Gee has been one third of the Animal Commençal racing team, alongside brother Dan Atherton and sister Rachel Atherton.

Gee, along with Rachael and Dan, is the star of the web series "The Atherton Project" a series which follows their day to day lives. In 2012 Gee will be racing for GT racing.

Gee appeared on the BBC's Top Gear (series 7), racing a Renault Clio down the streets of Lisbon and winning.^[1]

Palmarès[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• athertonracing.co.uk
• Atherton Racing Profiles, Silverfish
• George Atherton, Doug Cook, Descent World, 2004
• Gee Atherton Interview, British Cycling, 29 April 2006
• An interview with the Athertons, Steve Thomas, Cycling News, 6 September 2007
• Gee Atherton Wins Garbanzo Downhill, NSMB, 10 August 2008