Efforts are underway to improve the classification system for visually impaired skiers ©Getty Images

Visually impaired Alpine-skiers are being given the chance to take part in research aimed at improving the sport’s classification system.

The move comes as International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Alpine Skiing seeks to make the sport fairer, with the issue raised at Sport Technical Committee meetings in the German city Bonn in May.

Eligible participants are male and females who are visually impaired and are competing in the IPC Alpine Skiing competition in Landgraaf, the Netherlands, between November 17 and 20.

The study will involve one visit, lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Australian Mitchell Gourley believes reviewing the classification system is important to the sport
Australian Mitchell Gourley believes reviewing the classification system is important to the sport ©Getty Images

Australian amputee skier Mitchell Gourley, who attended the meetings in Bonn, said that he has learned more about the amount of research that goes into classification and how much evidence is needed to make changes.

“One of the things I wasn’t aware of until being involved as an athlete representative was how important the research is in developing the classification system and making the sport better for everybody,” said the 24-year-old two-time Paralympian.

“Alpine skiing is a different sport in the sun, and requirements – especially the visually impaired athletes moving at high speeds through changing environments in sun and then shade and then sun again – I learned how that differs from indoor sports,.

"This is an opportunity for those researchers to come along and observe the sport and find ways to improve the system.

“There’s a lot of data missing and information.

“Hopefully by collecting that data, we can improve the system and make it fairer.”

More information on the classification research study is available here.



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