INTRODUCTION: Parents play an important and decisive role in the development of children in high performance sports (Alfermann et al. 2002). To date, no studies have examined the parents' role in alpine ski racing. This study aimed to analyse the tasks and functions of parents of 10 to 14 year old Austrian ski racers. it focused on the yearly financial and time commitments of parents supporting their children, on the nature and intensity of the emotional support (encouragement, praise and understanding, dedication), and on the parent-coach relationship. METHOD: A questionnaire, similar to to the Parental Involvement in Sports Questionnaire, or P1SQ (Würth et al. 2004), was administered to 57 parents of youth ski racers. It included questions about financial load, time and emotional involvement. In addition, guided interviews regarding the parental commitment were conducted with 10 coaches. Dedication, directive behaviour, pressure, praise and understanding were used for analysis of emotional dedication, and tested for internal consistency. RESULTS: On average, the parents spent € 3156 (± 1558) per year for youth ski racing with equipment expenses accounting for 56% of the costs. This sum was considered (very) high by 86% of the parents. Mean parental time involvement (for transport, support, coaching) was 8.6 ± 6.2 hours weekly. Fifty-seven percent of the parents assessed the influence on family life to be (very) high. Factoral analysis showed a great extent of understanding and praise, with minimal pressure on the young racer. Ninety-seven percent of the questioned parents affirmed a (very) good relationship with the coaches; 80% were satisfied with the supervision, No (or minimal) problems concerning conflicts between school and ski racing were mentioned by 62% of the parents. Psychological stress on the racers was considered manageable by 76% of the parents. Coach Interviews affirmed the parents' Statements to a wide extent. DISCUSSION: The financial burden and time requirements of parents of youth ski racers are very high. The parents' financial outlay in youth skiing is higher than other sports according to data from other sports. The danger is that only wealthy parents will be able to afford to enroll their children in ski racing. Regarding emotional support, parents consider themselves understanding and caring. The relationship to the coaches is evaluated positively. According to the parents, there are no Problems with scholastic performance or with performance pressure. The coaches' assessments were very much in agreement with the parents' opinions. CONCLUSIQN: The government should take measures to lighten the load of parents concerning the outstanding high financial and time involvement, if ski racing is meant to remain accessible to all social classes. Parents, in their point of view, fulfill emotional tasks with great involvement and caring. Still, pedagogical and psychological training for the parents could be useful.
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