The rock music is pounding and spectators screaming as competitors somersault, twist and 'mule-kick' their way down the course - you're watching Freestyle Skiing, the wildest discipline of them all ...

Freestyle Skiing has developed from unruly professional beginnings in the early 70's, to one of the most visual and exciting sports of the Olympic Games. Administered by the FIS (International Ski Federation)since 1979, Freestyle Skiing has developed national, FIS, Europa Cup, Nor-Am, World Cup and World Championship competitions as far afield as Australia and China

The spectacle of freestyle competition had a huge impact on television audiences around the world and it was at this point that the IOC (International Olympic Committee) recognized Freestyle's potential as an exciting and crowd-pulling Olympic sport. At the Calgary Olympic Winter Games in 1988, Freestyle's three disciplines were demonstration events. Four years later, at the Albertville Games, the moguls discipline was included as a full-medal sport and the French went wild as their own Edgar Grospiron became Olympic Champion. Aerials joined moguls as a full Olympic sport at the 1994 Lillehammer Games. An interesting variety of countries are vying for the top spot in the 2002 Olympics at Salt Lake City; USA, Belarussia, China, France, Canada, Australia, Finland, Japan and Russia are all in the running.

Since the BSSF introduced Freestyle in 1982 the British Team have brought home an astonishing 300 World Cup top 10 results and over 50 World Cup Medals including 8 gold medals. Imagine how glorious it is to hear 'God Save The Queen' at an international skiing event!

Here's a quick run-down on the three Freestyle disciplines:

Moguls
The mogul skiers hammer down a steep, heavily bumped course in under thirty seconds managing to throw two spectacular upright jumps on the way. Marks are awarded for the technique of the turns (50%), the speed of the run (25%)and the quality of the two jumps (25%). A second event of Dual Moguls has the skiers racing head to head a few meters apart. Spectators are certain to witness a huge crash.

Aerials
The aerialists jump off towering snow kickers to perform the most technically advanced somersault combinations in any sport at heights of forty feet above the ground. Two different jumps are performed and marks are awarded for the quality of form in the air (70%) and the precision and control of landing (30%). The current Olympic Champion, Eric Bergoust (USA) won the medal performing a quadruple twisting triple somerasult called a double-full full full! Not for the fain hearted.

Acro
The acro skiers jump and flip their way through a one-and-a-half minute routine of mind-boggling tricks all choreographed to music of their own choice. Marks are awarded for artistic impression (50%) and technical merit (50%). This event appeals to the more creative athlete with a flare for performance and gymnastics.

British Performance
Great Britain has a fabulous track record in Freestyle skiing; aerialist Richard Cobbing won the silver medal at the 1993 World Championships and a World Cup in Altenmarkt in 1995; Jilly Curry gained 30 World Cup medals in Areials and Combined Freestyle 1987-94; In the Albertville demonstration events, Julia Snell finished 4th in Acro. Former World Junior Acro World Champion, Vicki Roxberg (nee Simpson), still maintains her top ten world ranking.

Team
We have a great season ahead with the World Cup circuit taking place as usual each week from December to March. A mixture of established British Team members and talented newcomers form the British Team for 2000 and are eagerly waiting to make their mark on the international scene.

2000 British Freestyle Ski Team
Sam Temple (moguls)
Vicki Roxburgh (acro)
Georgia Benson (acro)

2000 British Freestyle Development Team
Aleina Cameron (moguls)
Joanne Bromfield (moguls)
Simon Bates (moguls)

Freestyle News
Watch this space for news of Freestyle news and results throughout the season

New Boost for UK Aerials
Freestyle aerials is arguably the most spectacular of all ski disciplines, with competitors completing intricate twists and somersaults in the air, before making a perfect landing on snow. Dry land training can be achieved with the use of trampolines, but it is no substitute for the high speed launch off a 2 metre kicker experienced in competition. Before aerialists return to winter snow, they must have completed a designated number of water ramp training jumps in order to test out their new tricks with a guaranteed soft - if chilly - landing. Previously, this has involved travelling to the United States or Evian to find appropriate facilities. Not so any more

The new National Aerial Training Centre opened at Sheffield Ski Village on 23rd October 1999 and was supported by the Foundation for Sport and Arts. It features a 30 meter in-run to a pier with 2 huge jumps hanging 3-4 meters over a massive round swimming pool. The skiers, snowboarders or anyone can slide down and launch themselves into the air to try flips, loops, grabs and tricks knowing that whatever goes wrong they will always land in the safety of the water.