Freestyle skiing facts for kids
Freestyle skiing is an exciting skiing sport where skiers perform amazing tricks, jumps, and spins. It's like gymnastics on skis! You might see skiers doing flips high in the air, sliding on rails, or navigating bumpy courses. Freestyle skiing is a big part of the Winter Olympics.
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History of Freestyle Skiing
People have been doing cool ski tricks since the 1930s. A famous Olympic skier named Stein Eriksen helped make aerial skiing popular in the 1950s. The first competitions in the United States happened in the mid-1960s.
In 1979, the International Ski Federation (FIS) officially recognized freestyle skiing as a sport. They also created rules to make competitions safer. The first ever FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup was held in 1980.
Freestyle skiing was first shown at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary as a "demonstration event," meaning it wasn't yet a medal sport.
- In 1992, Mogul skiing became an official medal event at the Winter Olympics in Albertville.
- Then, in 1994, Aerials were added as a medal event at the Lillehammer Winter Olympics.
- More recently, in 2011, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved halfpipe and slopestyle freeskiing events for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Types of Freestyle Skiing
There are several different and exciting ways to enjoy freestyle skiing. Each one tests skiers in unique ways!
Aerial Skiing
In aerial skiing, athletes ski off large jumps that are 2 to 4 meters high. These jumps can launch them up to 6 meters into the air – that's like jumping over a tall tree! While in the air, aerialists perform multiple flips and twists. They then land on a steep hill that is about 30 meters long. The best male aerialists can do incredible triple backflips with four or five twists!
Aerial skiing is a judged sport. Skiers get points based on how they take off from the jump (20%), their form in the air (50%), and how they land (30%). A "degree of difficulty" score is also added based on how hard the trick is. Skiers usually perform two jumps, and their scores are combined.
How Aerialists Train
Aerialists practice their jumps even in the summer! They use special "water ramps" that end in a large swimming pool. A water ramp is a wooden ramp covered with a slippery plastic mat. Sprinklers keep the mat wet, allowing skiers to slide down and launch off a jump into the pool. Just before they land, a burst of air comes from the bottom of the pool to make the water softer, so the landing isn't as hard.
Skiers also train on trampolines and diving boards to improve their acrobatic skills.
Mogul Skiing
Moguls are a series of snow bumps or mounds that form on a ski trail. They are created when many skiers make short, quick turns, pushing the snow into piles. In mogul skiing, athletes ski down these bumpy courses, performing turns and sometimes jumps.
Ski Cross
Ski cross is a racing event where several skiers race against each other down a course. The course has different terrain features like jumps, rollers, and turns, similar to what you might find in other freestyle events. Even though it's a race against the clock, it's considered part of freestyle skiing because of these exciting obstacles.
Half-pipe Skiing
Half-pipe skiing involves skiing in a large, U-shaped snow structure called a half-pipe. Competitors ski from one side to the other, launching into the air above the pipe's edges. While airborne, they perform various flips, spins, and grabs. The goal is to do as many impressive tricks as possible while moving from one side of the pipe to the other.
Slopestyle
Slopestyle is an event where skiers go down a course filled with different obstacles. These obstacles can include jumps, rails (metal bars), and boxes (flat surfaces) that skiers slide across. Athletes perform tricks on each obstacle, combining jumps, spins, and grinds. They are judged on the difficulty, style, and execution of their tricks throughout the course.
Equipment for Freestyle Skiing
Different types of skis are used for different freestyle events:
- Twin-tip skis are popular for events like slopestyle and halfpipe. These skis have tips that curve up at both the front and back, allowing skiers to ski forwards or backwards easily.
- Mogul skis are used for mogul events.
- Racing skis are specially designed for speed in ski cross.
Ski bindings have also changed a lot. Modern bindings allow the ski boot to release in multiple directions, which helps prevent injuries during falls.
Images for kids
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Legends of Freestyle Skiing 30th Anniversary March 8, 2001
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Skier performing an Aerial
See also
In Spanish: Esquí acrobático para niños
