Rules for Masters racers: Stopping and interference
Quick summary
If you stop completely in GS, Super G, or Downhill, your run is over. In slalom, you can continue if you don't interfere with the next racer. If you miss a gate in slalom, climb back to pass it correctly—unless that would interfere with the next competitor. If something blocks your racing line or interferes with your run, stop immediately, ski out, and request a provisional rerun from a race official. Don’t turn up at the start claiming you were interfered with during your run without first reporting to an official on course.
US Ski & Snowboard has updated rules for the 2025-2026 season regarding what happens when racers stop on course or experience interference. Understanding these rules can help you avoid disqualification and know your rights if something goes wrong during your run.
If you stop on course
The rules differ by discipline:
In GS, Super G, and Downhill: If your skis come to a complete stop for any reason, you must not continue through any previous or future gates. Your run is over, pull off to the side and work your way down outside of the course.
In Slalom: If you come to a complete stop, you may still continue as long as you do not interfere with the next competitor's run and have not been passed by the next competitor.
If you slow down significantly but your skis never come to a complete stop, you may continue in any discipline. However, you must not interfere with the next competitor or allow them to pass you.
Missing a gate in Slalom
If you realize you've missed a gate in slalom, you must climb back up and correctly pass around the missed turning pole. However, if climbing back would interfere with the next competitor or if the next competitor has already passed you, pull out of the course and work your way down outside of the course. The reason one can not continue is that if you are passed and continue on, it will create big problems with the timing.
Both your feet and ski tips must pass the turning pole on the same side, following the normal race line crossing the imaginary line from turning pole to turning pole.
Missed gates in GS, Super G, and Downhill
In GS, Super G, and Downhill, if you miss a gate, you must not continue through further gates. You will be designated a DNF. And, try to avoid going through the finish as it may create a timing problem for the following racer.
If you experience interference
If something interferes with your run, you must stop immediately and ski out of the course. Request a provisional rerun from any race official, explaining the specific problem and location. The officials will give you immediate instructions to return to the start for a “provisional rerun”. Don’t turn up at the start claiming you were interfered with during your run without first reporting to an official on course. Tell the start referee who you spoke to after your interference. It will later be determined if your claim is valid.
The major point: you must stop where the interference took place. If you continue on in the course and finish, you will have given up your right to claim interference and your time will count. In other words, no interference can be claimed if you choose to continue on through the course. Any official, including gate judges and course workers, must be notified. And again, tell the start referee who you spoke to after your interference before you take your rerun.
Valid grounds for interference include:
Blocking of the course by an official, spectator, animal, or other obstruction
A fallen competitor who didn't clear the course soon enough
Objects in the course such as a lost ski pole or another competitor's ski
First aid service activities that obstruct you
A gate knocked down by a previous competitor that wasn't promptly replaced
Other incidents beyond your control that cause significant loss of speed or lengthening of your racing line
Malfunction of the timekeeping system
Official interruption of your DH or SG run in a "yellow flag zone"
The definition of blocking has been updated for clarity. Instead of blocking the entire course, the rule now focuses on blocking the "racing line."
What this means for your race day
Know the difference between slowing down and stopping completely—and know which discipline you're racing. In GS, Super G, and Downhill, a complete stop means your run is over. In slalom, you may continue if you don't interfere with the next racer.
If you miss a gate in slalom and can safely climb back without interfering with the next competitor, do so. If you can't, stop away from the course.
If you encounter interference, stop immediately, ski out of the course, and request a provisional rerun right away. Be specific about what happened and where.
Understanding these rules helps you make the right decisions on course and protects your rights if something unexpected happens during your run.