GUIDE

A practical ski race-day checklist

What to check the evening before, at inspection, before the start, between runs and after the finish — and what to write down.

DOME5 for athletes

A checklist frees attention for skiing. Agree it with your coach before the season and adapt it to your discipline and age group. Always follow the race organiser’s rules and your team’s instructions — for example on inspection times and equipment.

The evening before

Skis, boots, poles, helmet, back protector, goggles and spare lens packed and checked.
Bib collection, start time and meeting point confirmed.
Race plan agreed with your coach: one technical and one tactical focus.
Normal dinner and your usual bedtime.

Morning and inspection

Breakfast you are used to; water and a snack packed.
Warm-up routine as practised in training.
Inspection: key sections, rhythm changes, terrain and light; agree the line with your coach.
Write one sentence: “My plan for this run is …”.

Before the start

Start routine timed so you are warm, not waiting in the cold.
One cue only — the one you agreed.
Equipment check: buckles, goggles, bib visible.

Between runs

Keep warm, eat and drink.
Short debrief with your coach: what happened in the first run, one adjustment for the second.
Inspect the second course with that one adjustment in mind.

After the finish

Did you execute the start as planned? The finish?
Where did you feel flow, and what distracted you?
Result and time (if known) — and one sentence on what you will keep and what you will change.

Fictional example · Nick M., U16, giant slalom race

Plan: Technical: pressure on the outside ski before the gate. Tactical: direct line in the flat middle section.
Run 1: Start as planned; late in the steep rhythm change. Distracted by a mistake at gate 12.
Adjustment: Earlier edge in the steep section; let a mistake go after one breath.
Run 2: Executed the adjustment; finish as planned. Keep: start routine. Change: inspection of the steep section from the side.

Plan ahead: find the race in the official FIS calendar and add it to Races in DOME5 with its link — or your coach assigns it to the whole group. On race day the race is already in your diary.

In DOME5, choose Race day as the day type: both the athlete diary and the coach diary get a competition section, so both views of the same race can be compared. Bring the race into the next monthly report review.