shredding

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In exciting news, the IOC FINALLY approved women’s ski jumping to be an event at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. It has only taken them since 1926 when they added men’s ski jumping to recognize it as a competition worthy of the olympics. Which quite frankly, is ridiculous. It has been a bone of contention for quite some time since the field of women jumpers has become increasingly elite and progressive. A group of 15 jumpers even sued the organizing comittee of the Vancouver olympics in order to compete, but their efforts were shot down. (Fun fact- Virginia Madsen chronicled the effort and made a documentary about it called Fighting Gravity in 2009.)

Most importantly to me, women’s and men’s ski halfpipe has been approved as well for the 2014 olympics. It is about time! They have been progressing just as much as snowboarding and it is truly unfortunate that they were not added when the snowboard halfpipe competition was in 1998.

Lastly, I will wait with fingers crossed and much anticipation for the IOC to make their final decision about whether or not slopstyle will make its olympic debut in 2014. The decision has been postponed due to issues with the qualifying system. Many snowboarders feel their should be one tour to qualify on and one system. It is clear that by postponing their decision the committee may be re-evaluating how to proceed. We can only hope!

Side note, a figure skating team event, as well as a luge team relay and biathlon relay were also added for 2014.