Para Snow Sports classification: Part 5 – Navigating the process, protests and challenges

Learn about all aspects of the classification process across Para Alpine, Para Cross-Country and Para Snowboard in a dedicated series of six articles published ahead of the 2025-2026 season, culminating in the Paralympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina.    

Classification is a fundamental component of Para Snow Sports and while FIS is committed to ensuring fairness for all, it naturally has a human impact. 

The complex, challenging system must be navigated as each athlete is evaluated as either eligible or ineligible to compete. 

That, says FIS Head of Classification Sandra Titulaer, can represent emotional extremes within Para Sport. “For me, the most difficult thing is telling someone who wants to be part of Para sport that they don’t meet the criteria.” 

But then classification can also represent the greatest satisfaction for Titulaer.

“For me it’s the most satisfying, it’s a really good experience. You have a nice talk with the athlete and the coach and they’re happy and they can start sport, and they can start showing what they’ve been training for.” 

Helping athletes navigate a complex process 

In Part 2 of the series, we explained the main steps of Para Snow Sports classification. 

Athletes may be accompanied by a member of their National Ski Association (NSA) when attending an evaluation session, something that is mandatory for minors or for athletes who have an Intellectual Impairment. 

Para Alpine, Para Cross-Country, and Para Snowboard athletes must attend with any competition equipment and accessories, which may include prosthetics, braces, strapping and padding as well as modified ski boots, or glasses, lenses, and any other optical devices. 

Sitting athletes may be asked to demonstrate their seated position in their sit ski with all strapping secured in place, while standing athletes may participate in coordination assessments, depending on the impairment type. 

Following the in-room assessment, a classification panel may require that an athlete undertake a technical or an Observation in Competition Assessment to establish how their impairment affects their performance. 

James Redpath, GB Snowsport’s Head of Paralympic Programs, outlined the practical support he provides his athletes before, during and after the process of classification. 

This includes checking and submitting all the relevant paperwork and supporting diagnostic information. He will ensure the process is correctly followed and once it has been concluded, his main function is to once more offer support. 

He said: “We don’t always get the decision we want so making sure the athlete understands why that’s happened, looking at how we can have that decision reviewed and just following up and making sure that what’s been signed off is actually what goes on to the system as well.” 

FIS Para Snow Sports Classification Coordinator Gülcin Seyhan points to the complexity and highly personal nature of a process that involves disclosing confidential medical information. 

There is a need for good communication as well as cultural awareness given the global nature of Para Snow Sport. 

“(There are) people who are not European or English speaking,” she said. “Everyone is different, there are cultural differences you are managing, you are touching these people. 

“All these things you need to be aware of. You need to be aware that this is a different person coming from a different culture, coming from a different background and who should be treated with that respect and transparency.” 

Protests are key to the integrity of Para Snow Sports 

Following the evaluation, athletes will be allocated a sport class and a sport class status. 

Should there be a reason to challenge the outcome of Classification, an Athlete’s NSA, or FIS, may make an official protest. 

The ability to protest in Para sport classification exists to ensure fairness, transparency, and the protection of athletes' rights when classification decisions are believed to be incorrect. 

Only an athlete’s NSA or FIS can make an official protest, and the former can do so at a competition or venue set aside for athlete evaluation. FIS can protest at any time if it believes an athlete has been allocated an incorrect sport class. 

A classification protest filed by an NSA must include a brief, evidence-based rationale that references the specific rule at issue and must be submitted to the Chief Classifier. The Chief Classifier, after consulting FIS, may either reject the protest with written reasons or accept it. If accepted, the athlete is reclassified by an independent panel. The sport class remains unchanged, and the sport class status is set to Review. 

A protest panel will conduct a new evaluation session as soon as possible, which must be either at the competition where the protest was made, or at the next competition.   

A protest panel is appointed by the Head of Classification which must not include any member of the classification panel that made the protested decision or conducted any part of the evaluation of the Athlete within 12 months prior to the date of the protested decision. 

The panel will then conduct a new evaluation and allocate a Sport Class. 

The decision of a protest panel in relation to both a national protest and a FIS Protest is final.    

A national body or FIS may not make another protest at the relevant competition.   

Seyhan recognizes that some athletes may have a negative view of the protest and classifiers themselves, something she hopes can change. 

“That’s a huge challenge every sport is facing,” she said. “At the end of the day classifiers aren’t doing something in their own self-interest. 

“The IPC Classification Code sets the framework, and our rules and practices must stay within it. It defines athlete eligibility – who can compete in Paralympic sports. 

“I think education is a really important component; if they understand what the classification is and why we are doing it in the first place."

As classification evolves, so does FIS’ commitment to the cause. Through 2028, the organization is investing in long-term research to help improve accuracy and fairness. You can read all about that in Para Snow Sports classification: Part One.   

For more on how it works, read all about the process in Para Snow Sports classification: Part Two.   

Part Three broke down impairment types, the Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) and sport classes. Read about that here. 

Part Four focused on the athlete’s perspective. Through one-to-one interviews, FIS learned about their experiences through the process. 

In Part Six we will shine a light on the FIS classification staff, their training and certification and the fundamental importance of classification.