Should we compete in Freeskiing?

**minddoc** · 03-20-2007, 08:57 PM

Well I have decided to go through with doing the crystal comp, it’s been a bit of a personal bet (thanks for the support those of you I have discussed this with) Part of the bet to myself was to see if I could still compete and enjoy my sport with out getting a super competitive attitude. If there is any sport that supports that kind of thinking I thought it was Freeskiing comps, maybe not. I hate being judged for my skiing ability, but love competing.

I’ve only told a few people so… I decided to talk to this guy who does comps often, about doing it, thinking he was going to be supportive. I don’t know him real well, but I thought it would be good to get some info about Crystal’s skiing. You know “ya minddoc go for it, it will be fun and intense… but, no he’s like “ya you got to be able to huck 100ft cliffs and the snow is going to suck”….and so on. Basically not supportive at all.

So, I said, “well I’ll see how I feel.” In side I was f… you. I thought this sport was about fun, competing but supporting ones fellow competitors, and yes winning. Are comps turning our sport into ski racing? I thought we free skied to get away from the win at all cost attitude. Your thoughts?

**lph** · 03-20-2007, 09:05 PM

I have watched the kirkwood comp the last 5 years.

I am AMAZED at just how high the bar has been raised. I am not just referring to the top 10 guys, but how much more even the field has become. From top to bottom the present crop of competitors are insanely good skiers.

As an outsider, I would think that this would tend to make the comps a little more competitive.

To support this, I heard some rumblings about unfair judging at the Jackson comp. There are alot of people who can win on any given day and therefore the differences amongst the top competitors is small. This isn turn, leads to more criticism in judging as the judging remains subjective.

As to your 'buddy', I would assume he is exaggerating to make a point. I have never seen a 100 footer done in the Kirkwood comp or on any video posted here (not that I watch them all). But, he is right, it is amazing watching these guys stomp 20-40 footers to shit hardpack. Not to mention holding it together on high speed turns through corral reef.

I admire anyone who puts themselves out there to do these comps. I hope you still do it, minddoc.

Z · 03-20-2007, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by lph

To support this, I heard some rumblings about unfair judging at the Jackson comp. There are alot of people who can win on any given day and therefore the differences amongst the top competitors is small. This isn turn, leads to more criticism in judging as the judging remains subjective.

yep. But seriously, do it. This shit brings your skiing up a notch just to see what is/can be done. I for one friggin love it. If nothing else, get out with some cool people who absolutely kill it and back you bag full of beers for the bottom. good times.

**workinforturns** · 03-20-2007, 09:52 PM

i did my first comp this year. the Bridger Gully Freeride. NOTHING EVEN CLOSE to a major comp, but i went into it nervous and came out really happy that i ended up doing it! i chose a line that i knew i could ski, being as it was my first, and ended up doing OK. i highly recommend it, it was an awesome experience!

**minddoc** · 03-20-2007, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by workinforturns

i did my first comp this year. the Bridger Gully Freeride. NOTHING EVEN CLOSE to a major comp, but i went into it nervous and came out really happy that i ended up doing it! i chose a line that i knew i could ski, being as it was my first, and ended up doing OK. i highly recommend it, it was an awesome experience!

I never said it was my first

**highflyingpilot** · 03-20-2007, 09:56 PM

Definitely do the Crystal Comp...I plan in showing up to watch and shred some pow of my own

**dk_alaskan** · 03-20-2007, 09:58 PM

DO IT!!! You rip on skis and I have a feeling you will do well. In all competitive sports, you have the "I am better than you, fuck off" attitude. But, that is only a small portion of the competitors. Go out there, have fun and elevate your game as Z said.

**manderson** · 03-20-2007, 11:12 PM

I competed in a couple and I really disliked them. The whole thing just felt wrong.

I enjoy competition, but for me, free skiing is something that I don’t like being judged on. Skiing is my hobby and my passion. The second I factored in competition, the whole thing felt different. It almost felt like work.

Free skiing competitions are something that you have to choose to lose. Somebody can’t just out ski you. You can always pick a sick bird line and up the anti. That’s the part that made it feel like work. Agonizing over weather a line was going to win the competition or end my life. I always chose a more sane line and therefore chose to lose the competition. Then I would cuss myself for being a coward.

I know there’s a bunch of guys that do them and love them. I guess for me, I can’t do something like that for fun. I think it’s hard to lose gracefully. I don’t know, maybe I’m lacking the maturity to be a good sport.

I don’t want to take away from the guys that win them regularly, I think those guys have a different level of clarity then I did. I can’t make that good of a line decision from the bottom of the hill. I need to try the line once and then go crazy on it the second time.

I guess I didn’t answer your question. If beauty pagents and figure skating exist, then I guess free skiing comps should as well. I personally would never compete in a judged event again though.

**Slim Pickens** · 03-20-2007, 11:21 PM

Just take that bull by the horns, doc. If it gives ya any trouble, give it a little poke.

**grapedrink** · 03-20-2007, 11:27 PM

if i was good enough to compete i would, seems like a lot of fun.

**nutcase** · 03-20-2007, 11:30 PM

I watched part of the Crystal comp last year from my perch on the Throne. I didn't see anyone dropping anything close to a 100 foot cliff. Go for it!

**minddoc** · 03-20-2007, 11:37 PM

Ya thats what I was thinking as well.

Originally Posted by nutcase

I watched part of the Crystal comp last year from my perch on the Throne. I didn't see anyone dropping anything close to a 100 foot cliff. Go for it!

**goldenboy** · 03-20-2007, 11:55 PM

Well, I've done probably around 20 comps, so I've seen it all. I remember one time, talking to a female competitor and asking her what she had planned for her run. She says "none of your business, you're just going to tell so and so". As if I were a spy. I've also seen people just keep trying at the comps, and feel so much joy when they do better. And by that I don't necessarily mean their results get better, but they push their limits more than they thought they could, or they ski better than they thought they could.

Just remember, judged events are what they are, so leave it at that and you'll be fine. You don't have to huck 100 to win, especially at a smaller event like Crystal. Now, rip it up and have fun

Squatch · 03-21-2007, 11:52 AM

i didn't see KA as a choice, so i chose yes

**Bullet** · 03-21-2007, 12:14 PM

Should we compete in Freeskiing? By definition the answer is NO. Freeskiing is "FREE" - it is by definition skiing away from a competitive environment.

Racers and mogul skiers "freeski" to get away from the rut of training and competing. Instructors "freeski" to get away from the rut of working on teaching techniques.

Now if the question is "Should we compete in a [insert name] skiing competition?" Then the answer is YES - if you want to.

**Kevin Andrews** · 03-21-2007, 12:25 PM

Go for it buddy! I got your back!!!

**splat** · 03-21-2007, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kevin Andrews

Go for it buddy! I got your back!!!

That settles it. My money is on minddoc.

**Mofro261** · 03-21-2007, 03:38 PM

Dude, I take back everything I said to try and artificially build you up. Your refusal to hike that measly 150ft today to some supreme goodness as an attempt to "save your legs for the Comp" only shows that your not ready to step it up yet.

Nah, I take that all back. I'd probably be joining you tomorrow if I could borrow an ACL. Now go and have a good time.
you pussy.

**minddoc** · 03-21-2007, 03:57 PM

Next year I think you could do really well. I'll scope out the competition for you tomorrow and injure anyone who looks like they might be better then you.

Got to run, have an appointment with a Dr. from Tijuana he said he had some stuff for me that would help me feel really good and improve my strength a great deal. He said the stuff will work basically overnight. Not sure what it is but he said something about an injection and some red pillsa half hour before I start. Any idea what he is talking about?

Where are the photos of today?

QUOTE=Mofro261;1192617]Dude, I take back everything I said to try and artificially build you up. Your refusal to hike that measly 150ft today to some supreme goodness as an attempt to "save your legs for the Comp" only shows that your not ready to step it up yet.

Nah, I take that all back. I'd probably be joining you tomorrow if I could borrow an ACL. Now go and have a good time.
you pussy.

[/QUOTE]

**Ghost** · 03-21-2007, 04:10 PM

Except for the backflips and other tricks it looks like the ordinary BC skiing I used to do when I could get to some good lines, and it's the skiing you probably do too if you like big fast lines. Just don't expect to win. Is it "competing" if you don't expect to win?

**Spark** · 03-21-2007, 08:48 PM

I don't know if there is any relation but the freeride competitors I have spoken to have a background in racing.

Don't know if most freeride competitor are ex-racers but that could part of it.

**Cliff Huckable** · 03-21-2007, 09:47 PM

Judging ruined the pure "freestyle/hotdogging" of the seventies, and I suspect it will do the same for freeskiing.

Judging and sports should only coincide in one arena - the figure-skating arena.

**splat** · 03-21-2007, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by minddoc

Next year I think you could do really well. I'll scope out the competition for you tomorrow and injure anyone who looks like they might be better then you.

Got to run, have an appointment with a Dr. from Tijuana he said he had some stuff for me that would help me feel really good and improve my strength a great deal. He said the stuff will work basically overnight. Not sure what it is but he said something about an injection and some red pillsa half hour before I start. Any idea what he is talking about?

Forget the zombie blood.

It's all in your mind, doc.

**kush1** · 03-21-2007, 11:59 PM

why ask? If you want to, do it...... If not don't....

i mean fuck, so far I've ended every comp the same (only done a handle full) by ending up airing to rock and crashing. (I need to inspect better

) But they are still fun......for me

**minddoc** · 03-22-2007, 08:20 PM

Ok, ski comps are cool! Crystal was great today. Made it through to the next round; however most people did. I’m nut sure exactly how I finished, not to high up, but I was happy with my run. One of the most intense things I have done in a few years. I can’t really describe what it’s like leaving the gate but everyone should do one at some point. A super supportive group of people, and totally fun. Just wait tell next year!