Snowboarding / Topic 07

Snowboard cross contact and sanctions

FIS · 2026 / 2027
Last checked: 23 October 2026
Source: FIS ICR Book VI June 2026; Snowboard competition equipment specifications 2026/2027 · Source pages: ICR: 157–160, 185–186
In short

Contact can occur in snowboard cross without every collision being an offence. The jury assesses whether interference was intentional, involuntary or incidental, the action taken and its consequences. Pulling, pushing, blocking, line changes and contact from behind can all be relevant evidence.

On this pageThe ruleIn practice

The rule

Contact can occur in snowboard cross without every collision being an offence. The jury assesses whether interference was intentional, involuntary or incidental, the action taken and its consequences. Pulling, pushing, blocking, line changes and contact from behind can all be relevant evidence.

In practice

Sanctions range from a warning to being ranked last, a yellow card or a red-card disqualification; repeated or serious offences can also affect later participation. Ordinary race interference does not itself entitle the affected rider to a rerun. The jury’s interference decision cannot be protested or appealed under these rules.

Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. References: ICR = sporting competition rules; Equipment = technical equipment specifications. Numbers refer to PDF viewer pages. Topic numbers are editorial. Snowboarding includes timed gate races, snowboard cross and judged park-and-pipe events. Slalom and giant slalom reward fast, correct runs; parallel events add direct duels. Snowboard cross combines terrain features with racing in groups. Halfpipe, slopestyle, big air and street style use judging rather than simply the fastest time.
Sources & approach ↗