speed track

Extremely steep and perfectly even slope that speed skiers take turns descending; the skier who posts the highest speed wins the event.

starting track

Steepest part of the track where the skier builds up speed; speed skiers reach speeds of 125 mph in about six seconds.

deceleration and braking zone

Zone where the speed skier slows down and stops; to achieve this, the speed skier straightens up and performs two wide turns.

timing area

Part of the track where the speed skier’s speed is calculated; two photoelectric cells placed 100 m (about 330 ft) apart measure time in milliseconds.