USA Sport Classification Policies and Procedures

For competition, all standing locomotor disabled classes are combined into one standing class, all sitting locomotor disabled classes are combined into one sitting class, and all visually impaired classes are combined into one class with the appropriate utilization of the percentage system for Nordic Skiing.
Standing locomotor disabled classes

Class LW2
Eligibility: Athletes eligible for class LW2 are those with disability in one lower limb skiing with two skis and two sticks:
•    Single above knee amputation with a prosthesis.
•    One lower limb disability requiring the use of a full limb orthosis.
•    One lower limb affected comparable to a) and b).
•    Ankylosis or arthrodesis of the knee with function comparable to a) and b)

Class LW3
Eligibility: Athletes eligible for class LW3 are those with disability in both lower limbs skiing with two skis and two sticks:
•    Double below knee amputations.
•    Disabilities in both lower limbs with a decrease of muscular strength on both lower limbs with a maximum of 65 points (normal 80) of muscle strength or equivalent disabilities.
•    CP5 - Diplegic involvement at both legs comparable with a) and b).
•    CP6 - Athletes with athetotic or atactic impairment of movements of all four limbs comparable with a) and b).
•    Note: c) and d) can be placed in other classes depending on the athlete’s functional ability on the track.

Class LW4
Eligibility: Athletes eligible for class LW4 are those with disability in one lower limb, skiing with two skis and two sticks:
•    Single below knee amputation minimum through the ankle joint.
•    Motor paresis or paralysis with decrease of muscular strength on the lower limbs with a maximum of 70 points (normal 80) of muscle strength.
•    Ankylosis or arthrodesis of the hip.
•    CP 8 - very mild monoplegic comparable with a), b) c) and d).
•    Eligible for LW4 are also double forefoot amputation (proximal to the metatarsal bones) and a functional double foot disability, comparable to double forefoot amputation.
•    CP 5 - very mild diplegic comparable to e).
•    Note: c), d), e), f) can be placed in other classes depending on the athletes functional ability on the track.


Class LW5/7
Eligibility: Athletes eligible for the class LW5/7 are those with disability in both upper limbs, skiing with two skis but without sticks. The disability shall be such that the use of sticks is not possible:
•    Double upper limbs amputations.
•    Motor paresis or paralysis or dysmelia of both upper limbs.
•    Note: If an athlete in class LW5/7 is able to use a stick and wishes to do so, then he must compete in class LW6 or LW8.


Class LW6
Eligibility: Athletes eligible for class LW6 are those with disability in one upper limb, skiing with two skis and one stick. The disability shall be such that the functional use of more than one stick is not possible:
•    Single upper limb amputation above the elbow.
•    Comparable motor paresis or paralysis in one upper limb above the elbow.
•    Dysmelia or similar conditions above the elbow.
•    CP8 - Monoplegic involvement of one upper arm comparable to a), b) and c).


Class LW8
Eligibility: Athletes eligible for class LW8 are those with disability in one upper limb, skiing with two skis and one stick. The disability shall be such that the functional use of more than one stick is not possible:
•    Single upper limb amputation below the elbow.
•    Comparable motor paresis or paralysis in one upper limb below the elbow.
•    Dysmelia or similar conditions below the elbow.
•    CP8 - Monoplegic involvement of one upper arm comparable to a), b) and c).


Class LW9
Eligible for class LW9 are those with a combination of disabilities in upper and lower limbs, skiing with the equipment of their choice. Equipment used in competition has to be according to the classification card.
•    Severe disability in upper and lower limbs i.e. amputation or comparable (one side, diagonal or a combination of more limbs).
•    CP-disorders affecting at least one leg and one arm, i.e. CP 7, severe CP 5 and CP 6.
•    Comparable disabilities with involvement of three or four limbs.
•    Note: Upon functional observation athletes may be placed in other classes depending on the athlete’s functional ability on the track.


Sitting locomotor disabled classes

The minimal disability for the LW12 class will correspond to the LW4 class for lower limb disability. The athlete’s rationale for sitting should be medically and/or functionally based. Athletes can only compete as a standing competitor or as a sitting competitor in a given season.

LW 10
Athletes eligible for class LW 10 are those with disabilities in the lower limb(s) and the trunk. The athlete has no functional abdominals or extensors when sitting with proper strapping on the test table or when using his own equipment. The athlete will require arm support when sitting with proper strapping on the test table. No buttock sensibility.

LW 10,5
Athletes eligible for class LW 10.5 are those with disabilities in the lower limb(s) and the trunk. The athlete has some upper abdominal and extensor muscles, or lower motor function with spinal fusion / scoliosis, or higher injury level with incomplete spinal cord injury meeting the criteria of the profile.  The athlete will sit statically without arm support when sitting with proper strapping on the test table. No buttock sensibility.

LW11
Athletes eligible for class LW 11 are those with disabilities in the lower limb(s) and with abdominal and extensor trunk muscles with contact with the pelvic. No functional hip muscles and no buttock sensibility. The athlete will sit on the tilt table with proper strapping without arm support and perform some of the functional tests.

LW11,5
Athletes eligible for class LW 11.5 are those with disabilities in the lower limb(s) and near to normal trunk muscles, some functional hip flexion and loss of sensibility in buttock(s) and back of thigh(s).

LW12
Athletes eligible for class LW 12 are those with disabilities in the lower limbs and with normal trunk muscles, near to normal hip flexion and with normal buttock sensibility.

Note: For all sitting classes: athletes are never allowed to use their lower limbs to their advantage outside of the equipment at any time during the competition.


Visually impaired classes
Eligibility: Eligible for competition are those who meet the criteria of the classes B1, B2 and B3.

Class B1
No light perception in either eye up to light perception, but inability to recognise the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction.

Class B2
From ability to recognise the shape of a hand up to a visual acuity of 2/60 and/or visual field of less than 5 degrees.

Class B3
From visual acuity above 2/60 up to visual acuity of 6/60 and/or visual field of more than 5 degrees and less than 20 degrees.

All classifications in best eye with best correction.