I get mail from a bunch of people who are on our skis during the season. I usually just keep tabs, watch edits and generally briefly get to relish the reward of knowing that those boards that are getting so rad were built with my hands. KC Brousseau, who you may recognize from NS bought a set of Jeronimo's from us this past year, and his recent email was pretty unbelievable.
Let me preface this with a word about Skier-X. I for one enjoy it. I think the direction the courses are going and the competition in general is heating up. I also know that a lot of you dont share my opinion, and a lot probably dont care one way or another what happens in the Skier-X world.
With FIS regulating the X-games now however, this has the potential to effect freestyle skiing. I'm not siding one way or another on the question of "Should FIS be making rules for freeskiing?" argument, I just think its important that whatever rules are in place are good and fair for all competitors.
Two incidents happened recently in Skier-X that make me doubt very much that this is currently the case however. Heres the case that really irked me:
"In the first incident a unknown Skier (KC Brousseau) from the east coast shows up for the NorAm. Most of the National Teams that were there, probably didn't even think twice about their badly dressed, scruffy kid. That was until he beat them all by a second. Then all the sudden rulebooks were flying, tape measures came out, measuring clothing and equipment. His pants were too tight (although the crotch was totally blown out), his lifters were too high. Trevor from USA Ski-X team lent him some pants and he changed on the spot. As well as taking his risers down."
- Ross Hindman
Full article:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/istc-international-snowboard-training-center/skier-x-whats-up-with-that/10150549392372017
KC was pulled off the start gate in his second heat and told he had to change his pants and remove lifters on his bindings before being able to do his second day of runs (apparently, it was okay previous days, nobody tries to disqualify you until you win). With his head "obviously not in the right place", he finished 13th that day.
KC Brousseau on the podium of a later race, defender of tight pants
The second one is the very well publicized Langley McNeal Skier-X disqualification at X-games.
The amount of regulation and ridiculous policy (notifying of violations AFTER a race?) really have me worried here. The coolest thing about Skiercross is that anything goes and anything can happen - are we going to see limitations on what skis competitors can or cannot use now? Whats driving this sport is the separation from the rules and restrictions inherent in ski racing, please dont kill what the competitors and the audience loves best about it.
Please, LIKE this article on facebook if you agree. I'm not asking you to like the sport. All I'm asking is that you, as a freeskier, keep freeskiing free from ridiculous rules and policies. Thanks guys, peace!
Article to LIKE:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/istc-international-snowboard-training-center/skier-x-whats-up-with-that/10150549392372017 