super giant slalom

noun

1. a slalom race in which the course is longer and has more widely spaced gates than in a giant slalom.

Word History and Origins

Origin of super giant slalom¹

First recorded in 1980–85

More About Super G

What is super G?

Super G is a nickname for the super giant slalom, a longer version of the slalom—the type of skiing and snowboarding event that takes place on a winding, downhill course marked by a series of boundary poles or gates, which the racer is required to stay between while attempting to cross the finish line in the shortest possible time.

There are several slalom events in the Winter Olympics. In skiing, these include the slalom, the giant slalom, and the super G. The giant slalom and super G feature longer courses and more widely spaced gates than the regular slalom, with super G having the longest course.

Such competitive skiing events are categorized as types of Alpine skiing (in contrast with Nordic skiing, which includes cross-country skiing and ski jumping). Alpine skiing is sometimes more generally called downhill skiing. The term downhill is also used in a more specific way as the name of the Alpine skiing event that takes place on a relatively straight downhill course—without gates.

There are also super G events in the Paralympic Winter Games.

In slalom events, the gates or poles are laid out in different variations and combinations based on the course and the competition rules. It is common for racers to hit the gates as they pass them in order to take the most direct (and fastest) route to the next gate.

Example: She’s a veteran of the slalom, but this is her first time competing in super G.

Where does Super G come from?

The names super giant slalom and super g have both been used since the 1980s. The name giant slalom dates to the 1950s, and the first records of the word slalom in English come from the 1920s. It comes from the Norwegian word slalåm, from sla(d), meaning “sloping,” and låm, meaning “track.”

The creation of competitive slalom is credited to Arnold Lunn, a British skier and winter athlete who developed the sport in the 1920s.

The slalom event in skiing was first included in the Winter Olympics in 1936. The giant slalom event was added in 1952, and the super G event was added in 1988.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for super G?

• super giant slalom

What are some words that share a root or word element with super G? 

• giant slalom
• parallel giant slalom

What are some words that often get used in discussing super G?

• skiing
• snowboarding
• Alpine
• downhill skiing
• Winter Olympics
• Paralympic Winter Games
• gate
• pole

How is Super G used in real life?

There are super G events in both skiing and snowboarding.

“I gave it my best today, I couldn’t quite figure out the snow conditions & it just didn’t work out. It’s hard to contemplate but that’s sport. I’ve been skiing well in Super G & I’m looking forward to that event. Thanks kiwis for your unconditional support”
–
Alice Robinson pic.twitter.com/F1CXbiES2n

— The New Zealand Team (@TheNZTeam) February 7, 2022

#OnThisDay #BCSportHistory March 20, 2010: Already Canada’s most decorated Winter Paralympian of all time going into the 2010 Paralympics, North Van’s Lauren Woolstencroft took the Super Combined, Downhill, Super G, Slalom and Giant Slalom to win five gold medals in six days. pic.twitter.com/vz30LK54EN

— BC Sports Hall of Fame (@BCSportsHall) March 20, 2019

Watching the men’s super g. Who ya got? @Olympics @usskiteam

— Bode Miller (@MillerBode) February 8, 2022

 

Try using Super G!

True or False? 

Of all the slalom events, the super G features the longest course.