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2008 US Open Info

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cko
Posts: 1869 - Karma: 32
Suzuki Presents the U.S. Freeskiing Open, at Copper Mountain Resort

11th annual U.S. Freeskiing Open brings professional and amateur athletes together to compete for $60,000 in cash and prizes.

Now in its eleventh year, the U.S. Freeskiing Open (USFO), presented by Suzuki, will return to Copper Mountain, Colo, Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, 2008, bringing together hundreds of the world's best new school ski athletes and thousands of eager spectators. Athletes will compete in three disciplines – superpipe, slopestyle and big air – for a combined $60,000 prize purse.

After last year's highly progressive competition, in which Jon Olsson introduced the Kangaroo Flip in the park and Peter Olenick landed a double flair in the pipe, this year’s event will surely be a highlight of the season. As always, Copper Mountain provides an ideal après and nightlife scene, with Boulder-based 3oh!3 bringing their heavy-hitting hip hop/rock sound to the Village following the Invitational Big Air event.

Maintaining the tradition of athlete involvement in the USFO, this year Copper Mountain's snowmaking and park crews will design the terrain park in conjunction with athlete input and feedback.

"It's exciting to be involved in this event and to have watched it grow so much over the years," said Jamie Pentz, group publisher of Mountain Sports Media, parent company of Skiing Magazine. "The USFO is an extraordinary opportunity in the world of new school skiing, bringing together top professionals like Simon Dumont with up and comers from across the country. Between the crowd's enthusiasm and the athletes' performance, this event is one of the highlights of winter."

Registration
The registration process has changed for the 2008 Suzuki USFO. Competition spots for the superpipe and slopestyle will be allotted via a lottery registration system, opening Nov. 15 at 5PM EST and closing Dec. 6. Participation in the lottery will cost $5 per entry and each athlete may register as many times as he/she wants. The system will randomly select athletes and successful competitors will be announced on TK. More information is available at www.usfreeskiingopen.com.

About the U.S. Freeskiing Open
The U.S. Freeskiing Open is the longest running, premiere freeskiing event in North America. Eleven years ago, the inaugural USFO gathered freeskiing's biggest hopefuls for the first slopestyle skiing competition ever. The next year, a halfpipe discipline was added and scores of unknown skiers poured in to help shape the sport. The event has served as a launching pad for countless new school skiers including Tanner Hall, J.P. Auclair, T.J. Schiller, Sammy Carlson and Copper's own Nick Mercon.

The 2008 Suzuki U.S. Freeskiing Open is produced by SKIING Magazine. Associate sponsors include: Copper Mountain Resort, SkiNet.com, tktktktktktktkt
Nov 14 2007 3:53PM
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Dan-Man
Posts: 7488 - Karma: 3,621

so do you have to pay entry fees if you get in via the lotto?

Nov 16 2007 9:41PM
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espong1321
Posts: 763 - Karma: 10
someone should just start their own comp and call it the US open 
Nov 17 2007 1:10PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Word to that.
Nov 18 2007 1:59PM
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MangoSteeze
Posts: 793 - Karma: 48
     WTF  you can enter as many times as you want? thats bull shit...
Nov 18 2007 11:30PM
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Schoening
Posts: 14332 - Karma: 1,268
(your response to Mattyb)

no way dude. I don't think any kid that gets in from signing up expects to win. Kids should sign up for the experience, see what they got agains the pros, see what high level competing is all about without the comp being completly invite only.

whatever though, im so over competing. shits turning into racing how serious kids are taking shit now/
Nov 19 2007 12:32AM
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NoTeefa
Posts: 9566 - Karma: 129
word Kohl, reading that made me happy
Nov 19 2007 12:32PM
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Jordan_B
Posts: 939 - Karma: 56
Us open sucks......i mean im a hypocrite as i do it, but thats only to try and get somewhere....but as far as comps go, sucks balls
Nov 19 2007 3:23PM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
is anyone else having problems with the registration link?
Nov 19 2007 3:40PM
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Billiards.
Posts: 6853 - Karma: 816
Yeah sooo lame. In 2009 you can all come to the WILLEMS AMERICA OPEN. Its gonna be sick Im going to just watch you guys and whoever I think is the best Ill pick then Ill compete too and whoever wins is going to be the best skier in the world he gets that title just for winning WILLEMS AMERICA OPEN. Ill see you then.
Nov 19 2007 4:12PM
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Skwirl
Posts: 313 - Karma: 18
On a different note, where do you register for the Aspen Open and what is the deadline?
Nov 20 2007 2:15AM
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k-lei
Posts: 32 - Karma: 1,716
Ok, I know it's US Open but I'd like to bring an european point of view to this discussion. Skiing marketing, connections between teams and ski resorts are so much bigger and better in America than in Europe. This is caused by financial situation of skiing business in America. When there is so much more money in this business, you can put together bigger teams and pay for the riders. Then the american team manager, who has better connections than his european fellow just calls to his friend, who is taking care of US Open registration and announce him the riders he want's into the comp.

Im not saying that there are no team spots to US Open in Europe at all. But after all, it's all about money. Americans are publishing pictures of their own riders in magazines and american ski brands rather take domestic riders to their teams in order to sell their products better. Kids wouldn't look up for euro guy, who can hardly speak english. In addition, americans are also more eager to get their own riders into competitions such as US Open. You mentioned Mike Hentituk, Matt Hayward, Max Hill and Jon Brogans. As I know, they are all from USA or Canada and that's why you know these riders. There's so many good, sponsored riders in Europe that are not getting in, because their sponsors doesn't have good enough connections to US Open. And that's why me and so many other good europeans are going to have a hard time with this lottery thing.






Nov 20 2007 6:48PM
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tride
Posts: 1038 - Karma: 26
Actually, there is a big difference: For the WSI lottery you could only enter once.  This system that the Open is using encourages rich kids to spend tons of cash (which doesn't go towards entry fee) for multiple tickets.
Nov 20 2007 9:01PM
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General_Shredgnar
Posts: 3024 - Karma: 34
there should be a reasonable cap to the lottery so that no few people can buy it out. I guess theyre hoping that the richer pros who usually compete will spend more money but thats a pretty dumb system. 
Nov 20 2007 10:08PM
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PeteyG
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 49

*tear* :(

Nov 22 2007 5:30PM
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MitchPee
Posts: 8871 - Karma: 1,509
People ski for fun?...wait what?
Nov 22 2007 10:49PM
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Durtschi
Posts: 6897 - Karma: 1,878
i heard that erica durtschi might win the female slopestyle
Nov 23 2007 5:15PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
yeah like ill do rail jams and stuff cause its not so serious and its fun to be just straight skiing then hiking up nonstop for 30 minuites, it gets you all pumped.  but big comps can be so gay, everyone is so serious and shit.  it just sucks cause if you wanna get a sponsor or anything thats easily the best way.
Nov 24 2007 12:11AM
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michaelclarke
Posts: 1382 - Karma: 638
your talking about how your company wont be able to get you in because you're from europe? in many ways i have seen it as the exact opposite.. i'm having trouble getting into the event because all the spots at salomon are being given to europeans..
Nov 27 2007 10:37AM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
exactly..
Nov 27 2007 10:42AM
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ronalddregan.
Posts: 1564 - Karma: 260

no this is perfect. now i can enter.

Nov 27 2007 8:41PM
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mtbakerteacher
Posts: 4185 - Karma: 20
But... But... You snowboard!
Nov 27 2007 8:56PM
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levistewart
Posts: 3360 - Karma: 111
its al those pole plants you do...
Nov 27 2007 11:29PM
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Balsam
Posts: 40 - Karma: 26
I don't have a problem with a lottery.  THe NY city marathon uses a lottery.  I do have a problem with entering the lottery more than once.  Not very democratic eh?
Nov 28 2007 10:53PM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
im wondering about this too, i cant find any info online. anybody?
Nov 29 2007 2:37AM
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*~CProws~*
Posts: 63 - Karma: 91
lottery sounds soooooo stupid!
Nov 29 2007 11:28PM
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jensen
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 1,267
i thought this was the us OPEN.  it hasn't been really been open for like 5 years.
Dec 1 2007 3:24AM
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CharlesB.
Posts: 2755 - Karma: 66
I don't think so honestly.  Take a look back at the 04 Open.  TJ signed up as a complete unknown, wins Slope and finishes 2nd in Big Air.  And if I'm not mistaken, that same year, Tanner Rainville, another total unknown at the time, finished 3rd at slope.

I think the USFO is definitely the place where surprises can happen.
Dec 3 2007 11:31AM
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Schoening
Posts: 14332 - Karma: 1,268
don't get me wrong kids can totally come out of nowhere.

Schiller
Spong
Rainville
...

but thats a short list...i'm talking MOST kids that sign up
Dec 3 2007 9:13PM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
Hey what about me?  I registered. I am going to throw down and own you all with my spread daffy whirly bird. 


Dec 4 2007 11:02AM
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Schoening
Posts: 14332 - Karma: 1,268
ok fine.

Most kids AND ADULTS!
Dec 4 2007 12:32PM
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pk-ripper
Posts: 17 - Karma: 10

Over the last 10 years, the US Freeskiing Open, started and owned by
Mountain Sports Media, has become the premiere event for park and pipe
skiers in the world. Part of the reason for this is that Mountain Sports
Media has done a good job fostering its growth and promoting the event.


Another reason for this event's "premiere" status is that it is truly an
"Open" event where young and undiscovered skiers are allowed to compete
and routinely showcase next-generation talent and excitement.


However, the 2008 Freeskiing Open will be less authentic.


Mountain Sports Media - the owners of Skiing, Ski, Warren Miller and
Skinet -- and event producers Mountain Sports International (MSI)'s new
lottery system for gaining entrance into the 2008 US Freeskiing Open is
unfair and inaccessible for many of the best young skiers in
the world for the following reasons:


*       It is no longer a true "Open" event because most people will
never have the chance to qualify or gain "open" access. Instead, people
will be chosen at random through a lottery. And most "up-and-comers"
will be excluded even from qualifying.


*       The lottery system is biased in that it allows as many entries
for each person as possible for $5 per each entry, unlimited.
those with more money, time and computer access stand a greater
chance of entry than those with less. This means that, unlike a true or
pure "Open," there is little chance that the best undiscovered skiers
will be able to compete.


*       The lottery submission fees are non-refundable. They are also not
credited toward your entry fee if you're selected. This is unfair to prospective competitors. So, for aspiring young skiers who are spending all their savings
on additional lottery tickets, it’s loose-loose scenario for the entrant if they
do not win a spot.

I realize that there is no single, perfect solution. But there are alternatives that
are more fair and feasible. Some suggestions:


*       Identify or hold more qualifying events

*       Hold more qualifying heats

*       Make regional or resort spots available to coaches, programs and feeder events

*       On various websites, make alternative forms of access to entry
available. (ie. If you don't gain entrance in the lottery, you can go to
these events or you can submit entry resume with references, etc.)

Moving forward, I would be more than happy to help implement any of the solutions to keep this event as successful as it has been in the past.


Best regards,

Paddy Kaye

Rossignol Team manager





 

Dec 4 2007 1:18PM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913

^^^^  Paddy!   Thank you very much for your post.  Thank You Thank You Thank You....


What surprises me is that I would think that Copper would want as many as possible to enter and attend the event.  As a parent, I respect my sons desire to want to attend and participate. I am willing to make that week a ski week vacation for my family regardless of how he might place. 

As it stands now, there is a very good chance that we will not be going, because he will not get selected.  Is it really that difficult to add an additional heat or two this year and revisit it next year for a different qualifying format?

Dec 4 2007 1:33PM
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levistewart
Posts: 3360 - Karma: 111
well put
Dec 4 2007 5:22PM
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LivinOuttaBounZ
Posts: 949 - Karma: 382
Paddy Kaye for President '08
Please dont be Canadian...
Dec 6 2007 4:40AM
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AKoblitz
Posts: 1201 - Karma: 113
I think I remember reading something on there that said the 10th... sometime next week though i think
Dec 6 2007 6:45PM
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zemke
Posts: 842 - Karma: 70
weeeeeeeerd
Dec 7 2007 1:18AM
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NGA
Posts: 1458 - Karma: 186
shut up dude. who the fuck are you
Dec 7 2007 5:00AM
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duhamelski
Posts: 3842 - Karma: 192
fair but if your dont get in the joke is on you
Dec 7 2007 9:45AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,069
Yeah well i ended up putting one more in, but im still boycotting by not spending 100s of my mommy and daddys dollars. Actually now that I think about it, i wouldn't be able to spend my parents money anyways. Poop. Fail.
Dec 7 2007 1:03PM
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