Longines and timing alpine skiing

In 2006, Longines renewed its relationship with the World Cup circuit when it became Official Timekeeper for the International Skiing Federation’s (FIS) Alpine World Cup 2006-2007. The company’s return to the world of skiing hearkens back to its long tradition of timing alpine races which began in 1933 in Chamonix. Indeed, the watchmaker has significant historical know-how in the discipline.

Speed events: Downhill and Super-G
Downhill races are, without a doubt, the most complex type of alpine skiing in terms of timing. In fact, for men’s races, the FIS requires five intermediate times and two speed measurements to be recorded in addition to the final net time.

In order to make this possible, a total of seven technicians arrive at the site three days before the first training session or race (the Super G doesn’t involve any training). The technicians carry three tons of material around with them throughout the entire winter season. For certain competitions such as Wengen, they also install a video board, which requires almost three additional tons of equipment.

The starting gate, found at the exit of the starting hut, has double contacts and is connected to two separate cables linked to the timing control system, which is located near or along the finish line. Whereas five intermediate times and two speed measurements are required for men’s races, the figures for the women’s events are lower, namely three intermediate times and one speed measurement, because the courses are shorter. The photoelectric cells installed at the measurement points are activated manually by a local operator on the ground.

The speed measurements are taken by two photoelectric cells spaced at a distance of approximately 20 metres and placed on a straight portion of the trail. The data collected from the passing skier is transmitted to the control system located at the finish line, where a timing device instantaneously calculates the time that it takes the competitor to cut the two beams. This makes it possible for the speed to be displayed immediately on the television screen.

In accordance with the FIS regulations, two pairs of photoelectric cells are installed at the bottom of the trail and mark the finish line. The entire timing system is backed up and verified. Its precision is greater than 1/1000th of a second, but the times are displayed to the 1/100th of a second.

Additionally, all of the equipment installed at the starting line and on the trail is designed to hold up at temperatures ranging from -20°C to +50°C. For example, the batteries in the cells should be able to run for at least four hours at a temperature of -20°C.

Speed events: Slalom and Giant Slalom
The “technical” events such as the Slalom and the Giant Slalom are held in two runs. For events like these, in which two intermediate times are required, a total of six technicians are needed to install the equipment, process the data, and time the race. The final result is obtained by adding the times clocked during the two runs.

The competitors start the second heat with their time from the first heat, so the intermediate time and final time from the second heat represent a current total time. Thus, at the end of the second heat, the total time and rank are displayed immediately and then, just a few seconds later, the time for the second heat appears for informational purposes.

Processing the results is another service offered by Longines. The data is distributed live via state-of-the-art video generators to the television station in charge of producing the images, to the scoreboard installed by Longines in the finish area, to the CIS (an information system for commentators) placed in each commentator’s booth, and to the press room. It is also sent to the Internet and published on the competition site.