It was probably before your guy's time, and it might still be an issue now, but just as a start and only one example:
When the first competitions were occuring in Alberta, they were run entirely by ABfreestyle. Ok good right, we need a governing body? However, immediately rules were made, that yet again took the free out of freestyle. Unless... you went to wateramps and qualified your jumps. As in, over the summer, you had to go to the ramps, do these tricks into the water, and then somebody (probably with an aerials background or way of thinking) told you whether you could land that trick or not. Because you know, water acts the same way as snow. However, this was only for inverts.
One was allowed to spin in the competitions, but 5-6 years ago, spinning wasnt really the thing. Furthermore, spinning isnt any less dangerous, and Im pretty sure I have seen more people in comps hurt themselves on spins than on getting inverted.
Well, while Im at it. A team also made it easiers for sponsors to find the kids. I do believe teams have a team sponsor as well (correct me if I'm wrong) but basically being on a team allowed you to have your name out there a lot easier and snatch up any potential sponsors, although they maybe werent the "best" for the job.
Things may have changed somewhat now, but I also dont pay as much attention to it.
Skiing, like everything, is about politics and this is largely implemented through and furthered by teams. The teams are under abfreestyle, and that, finally is under FIS.
*this is not a hate FIS thread, merely trying to back up my point. I dont necessarily think FIS is good though.
