In Slalom, the competitor skis around six buoys placed alternatively on opposite sides at 11.5 metres from the centre line, along the course measuring 259 metres in length, entering and exiting through a pair of gate buoys. At the end of each pass at a speed of 58 km/hr for men and 55 km/hr for women, the rope is shortened. The winner is the skier that rounds the greatest number of buoys with the shortest rope.