What is the difference between Super G and Downhill?

Downhill skiing is rather an uncomplicated race event that places great attention on speed. The downhill skiing course begins at the top of the mountain and ends at the bottom of the slope. This course is usually characterized by gates that the skier has to cross, accompanied by speed bumps like swift turns, dips, and flats, and jumps. Because of its very risky nature, downhill skiers wear skin-tight materials and helmets which serve as protection against injury. The track line of the downhill race can be inspected by the racers beforehand and can be practiced many times.

Super-G skiing is a mixture of some elements of downhill racing and giant slalom. The length of the course is shorter when compared to downhill, where the athlete completes a run by dodging the gates that serve as barriers. Its attention is more on turning and technique. Tuck position is the most used in this race. In Super-G races, the pads are frequently worn on the arms, shins, and knees as a means of protection against harm and injury. Super-G skiers do not have the opportunity to see the tracks before the race day.

Super G and downhill are two-speed centric skiing disciplines that seem similar, but still have some observable differences between them. Downhill can be said to have a longer course. There are different types of terrain. They are also involved, be it steep or flat. And when it comes to the placement of flags, which are also referred to as gates or poles, though you can never see two flags together at a spot, the flags are usually close to each other.

The flags can be as much as possible so that the skier can always be able to spot the next flag. On the other hand, the Super G skiing, which is also referred to as the Super Giant Slalom, has a specific number of flags placed at the minimum. For the female categories, there are usually 30 flags, while there are about 35 flags for the male racing. Compared to the downhill that can have few straight paths in the racing, the Super G is full of turning points from the beginning to the end, which makes it somewhat tougher.