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Todd Wallnuts no longer on #roadtosushi

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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
Just saw the announcement at PCMR. How did that happen?
Jan 19 2014 12:19AM
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hkn
Posts: 221 - Karma: 2,938
So much this.

Henrik Harlaut has mentioned this several times in interviews.
His point is: 'It will be easier to win the Olympics than the X Games because the US is only allowed to send four skiers'.

With the US having way more candidates to the gold medal than they are allowed to send, well, just as you say Mr.Bishop… it doesn't really cement the Olympics as the ultimate top comp.
Jan 19 2014 3:17PM
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Afterbang.no
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 4,297
For Henrik that might be right, but you as Americans should really look at it the other way around?
It's way harder, first you gotta beat all your fellow country men in the quals, and then beat the rest of the world in the Olympics to win!

It's not like just getting an Xgames invite and have the day, you actually gotta be consistent for a whole year before the final!

Jan 19 2014 3:32PM
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skiersupreme
Posts: 1549 - Karma: 4,872
the only place i want to see a triple 18 is the olympics. #schlopy4sochi
Jan 19 2014 4:26PM
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123ski
Posts: 7374 - Karma: 1,415
Isn't that kind of the point of letting the judges pick - they can pick anyone they want even if they didn't meet the objective criteria or place well in certain events...
Jan 19 2014 4:32PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,498
This exactly. For the states to complain you hav too many athletes is kind of funny. Look at is here in the uk. We have woodsy who is the only skier who can seriously challenge for a medal. You guys stateside have comps just to pick your top 4. You still have a much better chance of a medal then a nation with one serios rider. It will help develop the sport more. Younger riders will be pushing even harder to make the team and that will leave even more riders who are not at the top level who can film so all you guys will be happy.
Jan 19 2014 4:43PM
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Bromium
Posts: 181 - Karma: 2,145
https://usfreeskiing.com/athletes/all/freeskiing    so why this ? ...
Jan 19 2014 4:47PM
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MaryO
Posts: 2583 - Karma: 5,996
I read tomorrow, Monday. And I believe Tom will be on it.
Jan 19 2014 4:55PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,084
I think its pretty up in the air as of now... a couple days ago I was pretty confident tom would be picked too but after this weekend ive heard alot of different things...
Jan 19 2014 4:59PM
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Afterbang.no
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 4,297
Inb4 shitstorm, no matter who they pick!
Jan 19 2014 5:01PM
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yaqwsxcde123vfr
Posts: 371 - Karma: 145
would blow though. wally sort of brought me to freeskiing. i don't care about the rest of the "legends", but tom should be there. and then bang tina maze.
Jan 19 2014 5:04PM
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MaryO
Posts: 2583 - Karma: 5,996
True. Is it possible that they take only 2 girls, Devin Keri, and add 2 men to slope? Far fetched I suppose
Jan 19 2014 5:04PM
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ballsofsteeze
Posts: 611 - Karma: 45
Exactly, I meant that in an ideal world, the Olympics should be the high point of competition skiing. Unfortunately, with the way they chose to organize qualifications, the field looks like it will be sub-par, as you stated, and won't be as competitive.

It's pretty disappointing to me. I'm not the biggest fan of the comp scene, but I enjoy watching the X-games and Dew Tour (especially when I can physically be in attendance). The addition of freeskiing to the Olympics, as controversial as it has been within the community, was intended to produce a never before seen level of international competition and elevate the status of the competition side of the sport. Instead, we're probably going to see better competition in these Grand Prix events as athletes vie for the limited Olympic spots.
Jan 19 2014 5:07PM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
They only have a maximum of 4 per event per gender though right?
Jan 19 2014 5:07PM
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Afterbang.no
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 4,297
Not possible
Jan 19 2014 5:08PM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,751
I feel like that would get far more backlash.


honestly it doesn't matter who they pick, the men's slope team is already stacked and far better than any other country by a mile (at winning comps) and either Joss, Tom, or Alex are only going to make it even better with all 3 really having the same chance at being on the podium.
Jan 19 2014 5:09PM
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FJibber
Posts: 1494 - Karma: 1,291
I respectfully disagree. Lots of countries have top level riders, like Russ, Jossi, Andreas, Oysten, Antti, ABM...
Jan 19 2014 5:12PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,485
But no other countries will have 4 riders of the same level as the USA team
Jan 19 2014 5:15PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,498
Exactly. Most countries would love to have Tom but the fact the USA have so many good riders means Tom is not even close to your top rider any more. Tough situation to have.
Jan 19 2014 5:21PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
One way to look at it is this is probably Wally's last/only chance to be in the Olympics as he is getting up there in age. Schlopy and Joss will be Toms age next time the Olympics come around. Not that it should matter though, and if Wally puts in the time he could still be competitive in 4 years.
Jan 19 2014 5:33PM
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kim_jong_ill
Posts: 1019 - Karma: 3,147
He hasn't been to them before so why would they be any different without him? Js
Jan 19 2014 5:35PM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
I still don't know who Lyman Currier and Aaron Blunck are. I'm feeling lazy, someone post up some runs.
Jan 19 2014 6:07PM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,751
But they're not all on the same team. Russ, Jossi etc are really the only heavy weight competitors for their respective countries.

Gus, Bobby, and Goepper are all top of the top and all on the same team and have all proven themselves in competitions.

Team US as a whole really is far above for competition skiing.
Jan 19 2014 6:17PM
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MustBeMattyB
Posts: 495 - Karma: 2,147

Jan 19 2014 6:23PM
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MaryO
Posts: 2583 - Karma: 5,996
I don't know why people are saying he's not skiing well. My God he was 4th yesterday right behind Gus and ahead of McRae! He's hardly washed up!
Jan 19 2014 6:56PM
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ohboy
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 2,528
Say Tom didn't make it this olympics, he would likely never ski an olympics, right? By the time 2018 rolls around he'll be 30, and to many that doesn't seem old, but with the way this sport is progressing it will be tough to keep up with the 20 year old's ripping it.

Just my opinion.
Jan 19 2014 7:00PM
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appa
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,739
i think i'll root for joss, because he's the one i know.
Jan 19 2014 7:12PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,498
I did not say he is washed up but you would agree he is not the top skier in the USA right now. My point was Tom is a great skier but the USA has so much talent right now that Tom is not most peoples top choice any more.
Jan 19 2014 7:15PM
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JsNeagle
Posts: 1405 - Karma: 1,576
I think there's an interesting debate there. The younger generation will always be pushing the sport, but I actually think the average age of the top slopestyle skiers in the world will actually increase. The sport is way different now than it was even 5 years ago. People are training much more seriously and taking better care of their bodies. Parks and equipment are getting safer and safer. At some point you'd have to think that experience will start to outweigh youth. My Olympic gold pick is actually Andreas Hatveit, and he's one of the oldest in the field.
Jan 19 2014 7:18PM
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MaryO
Posts: 2583 - Karma: 5,996
out said Tom's "not even close" so that's just wrong.
Jan 19 2014 7:25PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,498
What do you consider wrong? I would say he currently is not close to nick who is your best rider. You could also argue that thi season he has fallen behind a few other riders such as bobby for instance.
Jan 19 2014 7:29PM
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DIX~
Posts: 4695 - Karma: 6,502
Goepper doesn't do any tricks in his slope runs that Tom doesn't do. I still firmly believe Tom's perfect run would beat Goeppers perfect run, he's just really struggling this season
Jan 19 2014 7:35PM
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RockNRollNghtClb
Posts: 2013 - Karma: 2,509
if tom isnt the coaches pick ill fucking flip
Jan 19 2014 7:38PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,498
Maybe so but it's the fact that he is struggling that may hold him back. For something as big as the Olympics you have to take your strongest current skiers. Just because Tom potentially has a run which may win does not mean he will be able to land it and not showing it in qualifying is not helping. Don't get me wrong I think he is a great rider I just think its funny all the interest in Tom when the USA already has such a staked team.
Jan 19 2014 7:39PM
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auski
Posts: 730 - Karma: 1,033
Unnatural dub 12 trailing blunt, sw dub 9 screaming seamen Japan, butter dubs. Haven't seen t wall do any of those anywhere and nick has had them all in comp runs
Jan 19 2014 7:56PM
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MaryO
Posts: 2583 - Karma: 5,996
I'd like to post this quote I read in a very recent interview with Tom dated January 8th. I found it very intriguing. Like he's been playing it safe maybe because he know's hes already in?? Just my take.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/olympicfeatures/2014/01/09/Chartiers-Valley-alum-is-having-a-ton-of-fun-while-trying-to-clinch-a-berth-in-a-new-Olympic-skiing-event/stories/201401090172?fb_action_ids=10201226986622424&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

"I think I’ve got some variety,” Wallisch said. “I’m trying to play it safe and save a lot of the bigger, better, crazier things for maybe the X Games or the Olympics, pull out all the stops when it finally really matters.”



Jan 19 2014 8:00PM
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TheWalterVision
Posts: 43 - Karma: 356
Its hilarious how stupid eheath is, you couldn't be more wrong
Jan 19 2014 8:07PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
I hope you're right, I hate to sound like I'm riding his dick but I think he has the best style out of all the slope skiers not just the Americans. If I had to show a slopestyle run to a friend who had no idea what skiing is I would have to pick tom first.
Jan 19 2014 8:11PM
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gnarles.
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 130
would way rather see schlopy go instead of tom
Jan 19 2014 8:18PM
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Scaredwhiteboy
Posts: 1395 - Karma: -938
I don't know where Evan is getting so much confidence that Tom will be the coach's pick. I think it's still pretty up in the air with Schlopy having a small lead.

Looking at the course, I see no rail features that Tom would particularly excel on (think the wallride from the xgames when he game). As such, I think the coaches will probably pick the guy with the craziest jump arsenal, and that is Alex Schlopy. Personally, Tom is my favorite skier of the 4 main candidates, and I'd love to see him go to Sochi, but objectively Schlopy has the best chance of getting a podium.
Jan 19 2014 8:33PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
I'd be cool with Scholpy, joss, or Tom I guess
Jan 19 2014 8:36PM
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-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
i want tom to go, but if schlopy gets picked instead and throws a triple 18 ill be happy
Jan 19 2014 8:51PM
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SamSandmire
Posts: 289 - Karma: 4,536
Wouldn't count McRae out either. If Torin can compete with broken ribs (which are really painful), I would think they'd him a shot, too. Simon did a pipe run with a torn ACL from the day before and Aaron Blunk competed with a re-separated shoulder. These guys are really tough. Wish there were more spots.
Jan 19 2014 9:03PM
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baileyjohnsonski
Posts: 12 - Karma: 91
america doesnt want to send athletes who will place 5th or 6th garanted, they want to send athletes who have the best chance of taking out the gold. although alex schlopy has been more consistant and will probably be competetive at the olympics, he probably will not podium. Wallisch however has a run, which if he lands will go very close to winning.
Jan 19 2014 11:47PM
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scratchskier321
Posts: 2571 - Karma: 1,313
We all know how good Tom is and how much he deserves to go to Olympics... But it's really hard to argue for his case when Bobby, Gus, Nick, Alex, Joss, and McCrae all performed better than Tom this year. Tom had his chance to lock in his spot like Nick and Bobby did, he has all the skills to do so. But he couldn't do it and it has really thrown a big twist into this last Olympic team selection.
Jan 20 2014 12:06AM
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K-Thomas
Posts: 2700 - Karma: 604
wasn't Tom's world champs victory the one that secured the US Freeskiing slope bid? Shouldn't that count for something in the coaches eyes?
Jan 20 2014 12:13AM
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Fregoloso
Posts: 268 - Karma: 230
Come on guys! Tom will be at Sochi... just look which brand produces and sponsors the Us team...
Jan 20 2014 2:20AM
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VersaceCockring
Posts: 366 - Karma: 638
doesn't matter rofl
Jan 20 2014 5:18AM
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SkiLefley
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 954

We really wont know what the coaches are thinking until they release their picks. They could pick Tom and tell Jos and Alex they will be in the next ones or something. I don't think Tom will be able to go up againtst these guys in 4 years and beat them. New generation is coming up and its a good one.

Jan 20 2014 8:40AM
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steezyjibber
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I AM SO CONFUSED
Jan 20 2014 8:50AM
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caderobinson
Posts: 1193 - Karma: 4,770
I see what you did there
Jan 20 2014 9:09AM
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