Slopestyle added to World Championships

[mondeo]

http://espn.go.com/action/freeskiing/news/story?id=5781286

Not sure if I'm happy with this or not. While I like the increased respect for the sport that it displays, I'm not sure what's left in freestyle skiing. I fear increasingly formulaic runs that gradually lose the sense of pure fun that freestyle is all about, disappeared from moguls in the '90s, and from what little I've seen of halfpipe, is gone there too.

It deserves the venue. Not sure that the venue is the best thing for the sport.

 

[riverc0il]

The only problem I see is that the really forward thinking and ground breaking stuff happening right now is in the urban arena. I don't see how they could really duplicate some of the amazing stuff that is being captured in videos right now during a manufactured competition. The ONLY thing that interests me even remotely in all the jibbing stuff is the absence of the "park", taking it to the streets and doing interesting tricks with obstacles that one normally does not associate with the discipline.

I certainly think "slopestyle" (where ever did they get that name from, jeeeezzz) is more relevant today than other aspects of freestyle such as aerials and (sorry guys) moguls--which were both added disciplines themselves at one point.

The venue may increase visibility and get guys and gals to up their game a bit. But I think mondeo has an interesting point that the venue may not be the best thing for the discipline. But then again, the culture of folks doing the slopestyle thing has always been a laughable contradiction, whether intended or not (doubly laughable).

 

[frankm938]

dual moguls and ski halfpipe should be olympic events

 

[SkiDork]

+1

dual moguls is the only way to fly. MUCH more excitement than singles. I would even sacrifice singles to get duals in there.

 

[Highway Star]

According to that article, ski slopestyle and halfpipe are possible for the 2014 olympics, decision to be made after the 2011 worlds.

I can't see how this is bad for freestyle. There's been judged freestyle for 30+ years and international level slopestyle competition for 10+ years. The comp will be pretty much like the x-games and dew tour - at that level, you have to be able to throw a certain difficulty of trick, and stick the landing. That's just how it is, has nothing to do with FIS or the olympic committee.

It's a real sport now, and argueably more popular with the general public than ski racing, and way more popular than mogul skiing.

 

[mondeo]

+1

dual moguls is the only way to fly. MUCH more excitement than singles. I would even sacrifice singles to get duals in there.

The first thing I'd do with moguls is allow double inverts. Then probably duals, then make competitors use different airs for each of their runs so it isn't backflip-cork 7 on every run.

Halfpipe and slopestyle should be in the Olympics as a replacement for aerials.

Thinking about it more, I'm not sure my concerns are valid. Competition runs for any freestyle sport inevitably become formulaic as a result of the scoring methodology, but I don't think that's stopped the creativity outside of competition when you look at non-FIS video of the equivalent time period. Mike Douglas was still a moguls coach when he invented the Misty and D-spin. The Tignes Airwaves moguls are still a blast to watch. The stuff shown in ski movies will probably always be the vanguard of the sport, and flow down into competition runs where they can't take the same risks as when they have multiple takes available for film.

 

[bobbutts]

I like watching slopestyle.. beats the heck out of skier-cross

 

[Highway Star]

Halfpipe and slopestyle should be in the Olympics as a replacement for aerials.

Not sure I agree with this. Aerials is still the ultimate in freestyle jumping.

I wonder when newschoolers are going to start hitting those jumps..........? That will be the next big thing.

 

[thorski]

Not sure I agree with this. Aerials is still the ultimate in freestyle jumping.

I wonder when newschoolers are going to start hitting those jumps..........? That will be the next big thing.

Aerials just look like Diving to me without the pool.

 

[Mullen]

Slopestyle and half pipe are the two most progressive events for freestyle skiing right now IMO. If they design the course right it'll be a killer event. The athletes in these events continue to push the limits of what we think can be done. So many new/better tricks and lines out there that no one has even seen before. Even if some of the tricks come from fruitbooting it's cool with me. Bet you it'll be 10 times more popular than aerials.

 

[Puck it]

I like watching slopestyle.. beats the heck out of skier-cross

People like watching NASCAR for the same reason.

The carnage!!!!

 

[Puck it]

Aerials just look like Diving to me without the pool.

And where do you think all of the Chinese aerialists come from?



The one's that do not make the diving team!!!!!!

 

[mondeo]

And where do you think all of the Chinese aerialists come from?



The one's that do not make the diving team!!!!!!

And where do you think all the Chinese divers come from?

They're the gymnasts that have reached puberty.

 

[Puck it]

And where do you think all the Chinese divers come from?

They're the gymnasts that have reached puberty.

Forgot that one!!!:beer: