LW2 (classification)
LW2 is a para-alpine and para-Nordic standing ski sport class defined by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Competitors in this class have severe disability in a lower limb, which may be a result of an amputation, or arthrodesis in the leg and hip.
Specific skiing and training techniques have been developed for this LW2 skiers that address their disability type and equipment use.
Skiers in this sport class include Australians Michael Milton, Toby Kane and Cameron Rahles Rahbula, and American Allison Jones.
[3] It is for people with a severe disability in a lower limb,[1][4] which may be a result of an amputation, arthrodesis in the leg and hip,[5] or a disease like polio.
[5] The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) explicitly defined this classification for para-alpine skiing as "Competitors with severe disabilities in one lower limb ...
"[7] For para-Nordic skiing, the IPC defines this class as "those with impairment in one entire lower limb (involving pelvis structures distal).
"[9] Cross Country Canada defined this classification for para-Nordic skiing as "Impairment in one entire lower limb (leg) involving pelvis and structures distal" in 2012.
[11] For para-Nordic skiing events, classification is handled by IPC Nordic Skiing Technical Committee on the international level and by the national sports federation such as Cross-Country Canada on a country by country level.
[20] One of the para-alpine skiing techniques used by this class is called the three track method, and was developed as part of the American training system.
The skier is then taught how hop turn in order to understand arm and leg coordination while on skis.
This is followed by learning how to traverse the fall line, which teaches the skier how to maintain the ski edge.
[21] When using the outrigger, skiers do not rotate their arms as this changes the location of the ski on the snow.
"[34] In 1998 at the Winter Paralympics, LW2 skier, Alexander Spitz, broke his leg in the downhill event.
[35][36] At the 1984 Winter Olympics Exhibition Competition, disciplines included on the programme were downhill and giant slalom, where it was not grouped with others for medal events for men and women.
At the 1988 World Winter Games for the Disabled, disciplines represented included slalom, and the classification was not grouped with others for medal events for women.
[39] At the 2006 Winter Paralympics, events for this classification included the downhill and super-G.[37] At the 2009 World Championships, this classification was grouped with other standing classes, with 3 of the 10 female skiers in the standing downhill event were from this class and the highest placed female finishing fifth.
[40] Skiers in this class include Australians Michael Milton, Toby Kane[37] and Cameron Rahles Rahbula,[41] American Allison Jones,[42] and 1990 World Championships New Zealand competitor Lorraine Te Punga.
