To: FIS Para Snowboard Committee and the IPC Governing Board
Date: March 29, 2026
Subject: Proposal for the Formal Inclusion of Sitski Categories in Para Snowboard Cross Events
1. Statement of Purpose
We, the undersigned athletes, coaches, and supporters of the para-snowsport community, formally petition the FIS and the IPC to expand the current Para Snowboard Cross discipline to include a dedicated Sitski (Mono-Ski) category. Our goal is to leverage existing Para Snowboard Cross infrastructure to provide sitskiers with a high-intensity, head-to-head racing format similar to the successful "Mono Skier X" events previously seen at the Winter X Games.
2. Background and Precedent
Proven Success: Sitskier-cross has a established history of high engagement and athletic excellence, notably through the Winter X Games, where the format proved both safe and highly entertaining for global audiences.
Athletic Parity: Currently, Para Snowboard Cross categories (SB-LL1, SB-LL2, and SB-UL) primarily serve standing athletes. Including sitskiers would bring the discipline in line with Para Alpine and Para Nordic sports, which already have robust sitting categories.
Infrastructure Efficiency: Para Snowboard Cross courses—featuring rollers, banks, and jumps—are ideally suited for modern sitski technology. Allowing sitskiers to run alongside or within the same event windows as snowboarders maximizes the use of course builds and event resources.
3. Proposed Actions
Category Creation: Establish a "Sitting" category within FIS Para Snowboard Cross rules for athletes using sitski/mono-ski equipment.
Pilot Program: Introduce sitski-cross as a demonstration event in the 2026/27 World Cup season to refine safety protocols and course specifications.
Classification Integration: Utilize existing FIS Para Snow Sports classification systems to ensure fair competition among sitting athletes with various physical impairments.
4. About the Lead Petitioner
Kevin Bramble is a two-time Paralympic Gold Medalist in Alpine Downhill (2002, 2006) and a pioneer in adaptive equipment design. As a Hall of Fame inductee and founder of KBGoodZ, he has dedicated his career to pushing the limits of what is possible on a sitski.
Conclusion
Including sitskiers in Para Snowboard Cross will foster greater inclusivity, increase the depth of talent in para-snowsports, and provide fans with one of the most exciting spectacles in winter sports. We urge the FIS and IPC to take this step toward a more unified and thrilling competitive landscape.