Olympic Freestyle Skiing History

Freestyle skiing was organized in Canada 1974 by John Johnson. There are 30 countries that have active competition programs. Moguls have had medal status since 1992. Aerials have been in the Olympics since 1994.

Moguls

A mogul is a bump in the steep slope (32 degrees) and you have to try to go as fast as you can over them to the finish line. Sometimes a mogul can be as big as a car, or as small as a person.

Dual Moguls

This is an event in which 2 skiers race against each other on the same course, which would have moguls on it.

Freestyle Competition

In 1960 skiers in the United States began freestyle as an attempt to get far from the rules of Alpine skiing, because jumps and tricks were not allowed. Freestyle borrows many moves from ballet, gymnastics, and figure skating. Freestyle skiing became an official competition in the 1970’s.

Half Pipe/Quarter Pipe

In freestyle skiing, you are allowed to jump, flip, and ski as much as you want.

Equipment

Boots are standard ski boots. On their knees, they always wear black or white covers so that the judges can see their forms. For freestyle skiing, the length of the skis are 185 cm. for men, and 175 cm. for women.

Mogul Winners in Torino, 2006:

Men:
1^st place (gold medal) Begg Smith from Australia
2^nd place (silver medal) Ron Kainen from Finland
3^rd place (bronze medal) Toby Dawson from USA

Women:
1^st place (gold Medal) Jennifer Heil from Canada
2^nd place (silver) Kari Traa from Norway
3^rd place (bronze medal) was Sandra Laoura from France.