Tarje Haakonsen
-This letter was released by Professional Snowboarder Terje Haakonsen outlining many of the current fustrations professional snowboard athletes have with the current Olympic Qualifying process through the International Ski Federation (FIS). Tarje and others are proposing a qualifying system usiing TTR, Winter X Games and the Dew Tour.-
The following is shown in it’s entirety:
Letter to the Editor,
As the Olympic slopestyle/snowboarding discussion is peaking, it’s time to cast some light on this defining topic for the future of competitive snowboarding. This upcoming weekend, the FIS introduces slopestyle to their program, on the same weekend as the best slopestyle riders are competing in the Dew Tour. And the IOC is about to decide if they will include slopestyle in the next Olympic program or not. Some remarkable events have taken place in the last year. Let us recap:
After the extraordinary TV rating success of the Vancouver halfpipe contest, top cats from the IOC and NBC saw the potential in expanding the snowboarding program at the next Olympics. Seeing the golden boy Shaun White go double at the next winter Olympics (Sochi 2014) would be a ratings wet dream. In the fall of 2009, USA, Canada and New Zealand had prepared a proposition for the FIS’s annual congress in Turkey, June 2010. The idea was to prepare slopestyle for the 2018 Olympics by introducing it at the FIS Snowboarding World Championships, as the IOC requires two successful World Championships before considering new sports for future games.
By then, the FIS delegates were euphoric at the hysteria that followed the snowboarding events in Vancouver. They decided to speed up the process, bypassing the existing requirements by submitting an application to the IOC immediately – before slopestyle had been tried out at a single FIS World Championships. It is reasonable to imagine they felt confident that the IOC would react positively to this application.
The only problem was that IOC had a lot on their plate at their next meeting, in Acapulco in October [2010]. The most disturbing topic was women ski jumping; a nightmare for the Olympic movement. Women ski jumpers have been fighting for years to enter the Olympics, but have faced serious opposition both within FIS and the IOC. Many believe women ski jumping (including members of the sports media) does not have enough participants, is low on quality and does not have the necessary international reach as a sport to be a credible Olympic event. Women ski jumpers had sued the IOC before the Vancouver Olympics for discrimination, but were ruled against by the Canadian legal system.
Allowing snowboard slopestyle (as well as twintip ski halfpipe and slopestyle) before solving the women ski jumping issue probably made the choice impossible for IOC. Rather than accepting some applications from some sports and denying others, they made one statement for all: We will wait and see the quality of the sports at the upcoming world championships. FIS has several world championships coming up this season, among them the Nordic Ski World Championships in Oslo, the Snowboard World Championships in La Molina, Spain and the Freestyle World Championships in Deer Valley and Park City [ in Utah].
The only problem about this from a snowboarding perspective is that neither Molina nor Deer Valley/Park City had planned for a slopestyle! Even worse, Deer Valley actively bans snowboarding on a general basis and they do not have a terrain park. In Norway, where the snowboard federation is independent of FIS, and are part owners of the TTR/WSF World Snowboarding Championships in 2012, this whole situation culminated in a public debate. IOC executive board member Gerhard Heiberg admitted that IOC wanted to check out more than just FIS events when deciding upon the quality of slopestyle. As FIS did not have slopestyle on their Olympic program, this opened up for a new scenario in the debate: if the IOC could look at non-FIS events, could they also approve these events as qualifiers for the Olympics?
Everyone working with top level snowboarding contest knows how much the date conflicts in Olympic qualifying years is hurting the sport. This has been bad before, but in 2013, when riders are qualifying for both halfpipe and slopestyle, it has the potential to be a nightmare. And this is the fundamental problem of competitive snowboarding: it will never reap its full potential before the Olympic issue is solved. Snowboarding is not a four year cycle event. It is a daily operation where progress is happening in all corners of the world – summer, winter, spring and fall. At the moment, the Olympic halfpipe finals is only good for the podium winners, the IOC and the broadcasters. It does not help the sport as a whole.
The potential for date conflict is the most apparent problem. This was cruelly exposed when FIS all of a sudden decided to include slopestyle on the program at the La Molina Snowboarding World Championships – a mere two months before the event! This was obviously a move to impress the IOC before the slopestyle decision was made, but it was not a good move for the sport: the slopestyle contest in Molina happens on exactly the same dates as the Dew Tour stop in Killington. All Dew Tour riders, being the best slopestyle riders in the world, have been already committed to these events, meaning the FIS World Champion in slopestyle (and in halfpipe for that matter) will be crowned without the best riders attending.
Competitive snowboarding has fantastic potential. Right now, judging formats, slope design, prize money, TV production/distribution and rider services are progressing fast in TTR, X Games and Dew Tour events. These are the best events in the world. But they are outside the Olympic family. As the organizers [sic] of the biggest winter sports event in the world, we believe that the IOC holds a corporate responsibility for ensuring a workable solution for the sport. This will not only realise the potential of the sport, but also fast-track the quality of snowboarding contests at the Olympics. All of us, including event organizers, FIS, IOC and federations, should find a solution for the better good of the sport. Otherwise, the riders will be the main losers. They will be forced into making impossible choices between conflicting events in 2013 – on any given weekend throughout the season.
We believe a good solution could be a common Olympic ranking, not sanctioned by FIS or TTR, but a joint ranking list based on results from the best events in the world. By embracing this, the IOC would take a credible position for the youth of the world and take charge in the ongoing action sports revolution. We are willing to talk to find a good solution for the sport. But we are also willing to keep fighting for snowboarding like we have done for over a decade. The Olympic system for snowboarding is wrong; preserving the status quo is not an option.
-Terje Haakonsen and Henning Andersen
Homeboy Ski Blog
It’s crunch time. There are 15 chapters to review, your highlighter is dry and the clock is ticking on that take-home final. With finals officially starting Saturday, get a study mindset with some motivational music.
CU Independent
Sweet Solar Coat
If you find yourself to be a slope junkie, chances are you’re always looking to mix things up. Skiing in itself is an adventure, finding challenges that enhance your skills and scale up your “woo!” factor. But there are always different ways to find new ways of hitting the slopes, and sometimes they’re as close by as your ski jacket.
Your ski jacket? Don’t be so hesitant. Skiing is a big industry in America, and envelope-pushing companies are always looking for the inside edge to grab the consumer’s attention.
If skiing is fun for you but you’re always looking to find the next level, or other ways to experience an adventure on the slopes, this article is a good place to start.
Here are some freaky and fun ski jacket ideas:
With a, shall we say, less-than-generous tag price of ,350, the ski jacket that doubles as a personal power plant isn’t for everyone: just your hardcore skiers. But if for you, skiing is a lifestyle, this might be the jacket you need.
Using solar technology, this jacket can charge up your gadgets – your iPhones, your iPods, you mobile phones – while you’re enjoying your skiing trip. No muss, no fuss – just energy gleamed from the white winter sun while you hit the slopes.
Of course, the question many people have, especially with the hefty price tag, is this: is it safe?
With Microtene material waterproofing the jacket, thereby protecting your gadgets – and you – you’ll still feel safe and comfortable even while powering your gadgets.
The Gargoyle Jacket is the ultimate in protection for the more amateur and casual skier and, heck, for skiers of any level. With a neck-protecting hood and totally sealed seams, the Gargoyle is the perfect complement to the perfect skier’s base layer – total sealed protection for the best in warmth and dryness. You want to be sure that you’re bringing yourself to the snow, not the snow to yourself.
So what’s so freaky and fun about it? Everything. Buddy lift clips, internal goggle pockets, an avalanche rescue reflector, dual-entry hand-warmer pockets, and internal pockets, you’ll be a regular warrior on the slopes.
One jacket powers your gadgets, the other powers your ski experience. What could be more freaky and fun for the passionate skier?
It’s easy to keep skiing a fun sport, but with a little ingenuity, you won’t have to look hard to find ways for it to be creative, too. If skiing is your passion, continue to bring energy and love to your passion by seeking out the new, the novel, and the unique: it will enhance your overall experience and you might just discover some new products and items you never otherwise would have known about.
Originally posted 2008-10-24 15:03:44.
Ski Snowboarder
In almost any new activity that you try, you should look for advice from those that know what you are doing. There is a reason that there are teachers for everything from math to lawnmower repair. Hobbies and physical activities are no different. For beginners, there are always resources available to advance your education.
Beginner ski tips are a great example of how professionals can assist people who are new to the sport. There are resources all over the place where anyone can find beginner ski tips. There are ski shops where they have in house pros, just like golf courses. These pros are typically instructors as well and can provide a wealth of beginner ski tips.
Now, remember, many different people will present many different ski tips for beginners. The important thing is to weed through all of the beginner ski tips to isolate the ones that have the best effect on your skiing. Another great place to find beginner ski tips is on the Internet. LifeTips has many tips for people learning to ski. There are also online versions of many skiing publications and magazines.
Usually, professionals will provide tips and tricks for beginners in these. Do a little searching and you can find plenty of beginner ski tips online. Don’t start your skiing education without the help that you need. Professionals are available to provide you with beginner ski tips and lessons. Take advantage of these pros by absorbing as much knowledge as they are willing to provide.
For more Skiing tips, visit http://Skiing.lifetips.com
LifeTips Skiing Tip of the Day
This weekend fans will finally get to see what writer and director J.J. Abrams and executive producer, Steven Spielberg, have created in “Super 8.”
CU Independent
Start with the gear.
During these difficult economic times, the first things we cut out from our lives are the extracurriculars that require too much time and money – snowboarding being one of them. A snowboard is expensive, clothes will have to be bought, and winter passes can be great deals but still require upfront investment. Life is tough, huh?
It doesn’t have to be that way. You can save money on snowboarding without sacrificing your safety or enjoyment: it just takes a little common sense and a little know-how. This article will help explain some quick ways to save money on snowboarding next winter.
Equipment:
To start saving money on snowboarding, you’ll have to worry about the equipment first: if you don’t own any snowboarding equipment, this can be a little intimidating. For people with dwindling bank accounts, this might seem like a luxury. Even so, you’ll be able to find deals on used snowboards at ski shops that will cut your expenses way down.
There are plenty of ways to buy used snowboards – using the Internet, checking local stores, shopping at thrift stores, or asking people you know. If you have any snowboarding friends, they might even be willing to donate you an old snowboard outright. The key is to investigate before you buy – make a fun goal out of seeing how little you can pay for a snowboard.
It will also be helpful to buy your equipment during the off-season. In summer, snowboarders are more willing to part with old snowboards that haven’t done much but take up space. You’ll also fetch cheaper prices at local ski shops on everything from snowboards to visors. If you can’t wait until the off-season, just look for more used equipment that you can inspect before purchasing.
Timing will be crucial in order for you to save money on snowboarding. Buying holiday passes for snowboarding season at the wrong time might mean you’re missing out on a deal that was better during the off-season. Constantly be on the lookout for great ski lift passes that will save you money and time, even if you think you won’t use the pass for another few weeks. Saving money on snowboarding will require some outside-the-box thinking on your end, so make sure that you’re always looking for snowboarding opportunities.
Snowboarding doesn’t have to be a drain on your wallet if you know how to shop. The key is to keep a scrutinizing eye on every deal you come across. Ask yourself “can I get cheaper than this? How much am I saving here?” Keep your eyes peeled and your mind alert, and you’ll be able to snowboard on a budget in no time.
Photo Credits: Matt Biddulph
Originally posted 2009-05-05 05:12:34.
Ski Snowboarder
I received an interesting package the other day. Aki from Volver Creative had sent me his latest design product for review. ThinKing is a credit card holder, but not just any random credit card holder. I believe this is the very best credit card holder for skiers, snowboarders, surfers and other action sports enthusiastics. Let’s find out why.
I opened the package to get this sleak looking product in my hands.
ThinKing comes inside of a small black box which opens by pushing from the bottom. There is a short description of the ThinKing credit card holder in the backside of the box, both in Finnish and in English. ThinKing is a Finnish design product, so that’s why two languages.
ThinKing is made of anodized aluminium, and it is available currently in eight colours. All models can be seen in ThinKing online store. The colour of my credit card holder is “titan”, although I really like the black one. I’m a skier, but I’m also an entrepreneur, so black credit card holder fit well with my black Armani suit (he he..). Quite frankly pink credit card holder is pretty sweet or what say ya?
According to ThinKing website this product has a unique, patented construction and it can hold up to four cards securely inside. Although the inner material of ThinKing keeps credit cards in place, it’s not difficult to get them out either. I don’t know what the inner material is, but it really works well.
ThinKing credit card holder feels nice in hand. It’s leightweight and fancy. I used to carry a huge wallet with tons of stuff, but not anymore. I prefer having only the minimum amount of cards with me, all packed inside ThinKing credit card holder.
“ThinKing’s beauty lies in its smooth functionality and small size. Being both lightweight and slim it is easy to carry in any pocket or purse“, is said in ThinKing website, and I totally agree. Once you have started using ThinKing, you won’t carry your huge wallet anymore.
If you are a skier, snowboarder, surfer, mountain biker, base jumper or any other action sports enthusiastic, you MUST get this product. It’s so much easier to carry max four credit cards than a wallet full of stuff. ThinKing protects your credit cards from so that they won’t break in action.
It’s a beatiful weather here in Helsinki right now. It’s almost 4 pm, and I’m about to leave office. In couple of minutes I’ll take my ThinKing credit card holder and Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses, and will head to the bar. I’ll impress all the ladies with my stylish look.. HA HA!
Hell yeah, this is a nice product, and I truly love it! For more check out ThinKing website! You like or not? Leave a comment.
Homeboy Ski Blog
Perhaps the best way to modernize an old ski outfit is with a new ski hat. Whenever I book a ski trip, one of my first stops is a ski store…not for new skis or jackets, but to update my skiing look with a new ski hat!
Today, hats come in many fabrics, colors and styles… almost nothing is off limits! Ski Hats can be an inexpensive way to personalize even the most basic of ski outfits. And they are reasonably priced, so a skier need not be afraid to experiment with a few different styles.
I personally love the look of a classic ski outfit with a hat is a bold color. Even the shape of a ski hat can spunk up an outfit…have fun, experiment, and most importantly, be bold when it comes to covering your head while flying down the mountain!
For more Skiing tips, visit http://Skiing.lifetips.com
LifeTips Skiing Tip of the Day
CU’s in-state undergraduate tuition will rise by about 4 next year.
CU Independent
Snowboarding Freestyle
So you’ve gotten off the couch and away from the snowboarding games on XBox and have finally made the transition to become a real snowboarder. You’ve got the equipment (hey, even if it’s used), you’ve got the gear, and you’ve got the season pass. You’ve taken a few lessons and you’re really starting to make progress.
Where do you go from here?
Well, if you really plan on developing your skills as a snowboarder, you’ve got to avoid a plateau. The “plateau” typically happens after a novice has developed his/her way to intermediate skills and finds snowboarding much more enjoyable. What’s the problem here? The fun you’re having can often make you forget about some of the earlier struggles, and instead of growing and working on your skill set, you plateau.
Luckily, there’s a way to avoid this plateau. You’ve got to figure out what kind of snowboarder you would like to be, and then pursue that avenue with the same vigor you had as a beginner. This will help you crush through the plateau and become an even more efficient, agile, and spectacular snowboarder.
Here are three different types of snowboarding to pursue:
-Freestyle:
Freestyle snowboarding is pretty self-explanatory, and there’s a pretty good chance you’ve already been doing this. Freestyling usually is tied to the skateboarding roots of snowboarding, such as doing tricks on a half-pipe as you improvise your own ride. Freestyling also might simply refer to taking a run down a hill and enjoying the scenery, perhaps showcasing some of your talent, but having no specific goal in mind.
-Racing:
Snowboard racing is much more intense and sometimes more competitive than freestyling, as you’re finally pitting yourself against other snowboarders to see who is the fastest. Racing can be a discipline in snowboarding that really amps your skills up to a whole new level, and if you’re really serious about becoming a great snowboarder, this is probably the discipline for you.
-Mountain:
Mountain snowboarding is similar to freestyling, but with an even less formal edge to it: you’re not looking to perform tricks for an adoring crowd, but simply board for yourself. An “All-Mountain” snowboarder might look for different scenery to conquer, but typically isn’t looking to become the fastest or the flashiest snowboarder on the trail.
What discipline sounds most like you? Are you highly competitive (racing)? Do you enjoy the flashier tricks and maybe showing off a bit (freestyle)? Or are you only on the hills to dabble, enjoy the scenery, and get off the couch (mountain)? Once you pick your style, you can really focus your skills and make some huge improvements.
Photo Credits: MunsterNet
Originally posted 2009-03-24 05:15:05.
Ski Snowboarder
