Officiating concept

Gate Judge

An official posted beside an alpine race course who watches an assigned group of gates and records whether each racer passed them correctly.

Officiating concept

Overview

A gate judge is stationed on the side of an alpine ski race course, responsible for a specific block of gates rather than the whole run. Their task is narrow and factual: watch every racer through their assigned gates and record whether each gate was passed correctly. Because a racer who misses a gate does not record a valid run, this is the difference between a result and a disqualification, and it has to be observed live — racers pass in seconds and there is rarely a second chance to see it.

The role exists because a race course can be a kilometre or more long, winding across a mountainside, and a single official cannot see all of it. Gate judges are therefore spread along the course so every gate is covered, and their notes are collected by the referee or jury, who apply them to the results. Where a racer or team disputes a call, the jury reviews the gate judge's record alongside any video available, so the judge's contribution is evidence for a decision rather than the decision itself.

What it involves

Covers an assigned block of gates — a course is too long for one official, so gate judges are spread along it and each watches only their own section.
Records passage, not performance — the judgement is factual (was the gate passed correctly?) rather than an assessment of style or quality.
Missing a gate invalidates the run — a racer who fails to pass a gate correctly does not record a valid time, whatever the clock says.
Reports to the jury — gate judges' records are collected by the race referee or jury, who apply them to the official results.
Supports review, not final say — where a call is disputed, the jury weighs the gate judge's record alongside any available video before deciding.