FREESTYLE SKIING

Freestyle skiing courses An aerials course (left) is built on a small hill winter sport that combines skiing and acrobatics. There are three freestyle events: acro, aerials, and moguls. Formerly known as ballet, acro was invented in the early 1930s in Europe. Utilizing moves from figure skating and gymnastics, the acro skier performs a 90-second routine set to music, in which jumps, pole flips, and spins are executed while skiing a 150-metre (495-foot) course on a gently sloping hill (1215). The performance is scored by judges, based on artistic impression and technical difficulty. The equipment for acro varies from that of Alpine skiing; the poles are longer and thicker, and the skis are shorter. Developed about 1950 by Olympic gold medalist Stein Eriksen, aerials consists of two varieties: upright and inverted. Flips or any movements where a competitor's feet are higher than his head are not allowed in upright competition. Instead, the skier performs such jumps as the Daffy (one ski extended forward, the other backward) or the spread eagle. In inverted competition contestants execute flips and somersaults, often reaching heights of 12.2 to 15.2 metres (40 to 50 feet). The skiers build up speed on the inrun, which leads to various ramps and a landing hill with an incline of 3439 and a length of 30 metres (100 feet). Based on the degree of difficulty, the routine is scored on form and technique (50 percent), takeoff and height (20 percent), and landing (30 percent). Mogul skiing arose soon after aerials in an effort to navigate the large bumps, called moguls, on many ski slopes. Competing on a steep (2232), 200- to 270-metre (660- to 890-foot) course, the skier is scored on speed, turn techniques, and two mandatory upright jumps. There are freestyle combined competitions in which skiers compete in acro, aerials, and moguls; the winner is determined by the total score of all three events. Freestyle skiing flourished on American slopes in the 1950s and '60s as hot dog skiers performed increasingly daring moves. Widespread popularity quickly established it as a serious sport. In 1980 a World Cup tour was founded, and in 198081 the International Ski Federation (FIS) recognized freestyle skiing as an official sport. After an appearance at the 1988 Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, as a demonstration discipline, freestyle skiing was approved for Olympic competition. Mogul skiing debuted at the 1992 Games in Albertville, France, and aerials events were added to the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.