I apologize first of all for some incomplete thoughts in this response. I am rushed and waiting to get on a flight.
I wonder if people realize the ramifications of doing away with Slopestyle this year.
Without Slopestyle and Big Air, we would not have stories like Philou Poirier, Vincent Dorion, and TJ Schiller's. Think of how many kids will not have a chance to prove themselves this year.
It seems every season it gets harder for a young rider to cut his/her teeth.
Lottery systems have left this sport's competition progression to CHANCE, and now this.
The US Open is supposed to be open. It should embody all aspects of freeskiing, not just Halfpipe.
There are so few good halfpipes in this country and abroad, how are kids supposed to train and prepare if the terrain is simply not offered?
In response to the economy suggestion, that our economy is directly affecting our contest scene. This sport has hosted competitons with limited budgets every year since its conception. The current economy is affecting the corporations. Obviously, the corporations give money to the contest organizers in return for advertising rights, this is sponsorship. The problem is that we have let these contributions get so out of control in terms of size that now, without corporate support, the contest simply can not run.
I agree that corporations have given this sport some opportunities that are truly spectacular like the first 2 Icer Air events, these were truly special events and now it seems like every comp has to have a jumbotron to be legit and it simply is not the truth.
If you've seen the old US Open VHS videos that FREEZE used to sell, the biggest sponsor of the Open was Nature Valley Granola Bars.
I am saddened today by this news.
Max