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Everyone should read this before watching women's halfpipe tonight

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Isabelle
Posts: 947 - Karma: 1,582
"People watching Olympic-level halfpipe skiing might struggle to grasp the complexity of trickery and it’s easy for even good skiers to be intimidated by the thought of spinning through several backflips high above the deck. Swaney’s runs, which involve no tricks, are not intimidating. She makes the sport look approachable."

"Through a shuffling in country quotas — where some countries didn’t use all their spots and other country’s bowed out due to athlete injuries — Hungary and Swaney made the cut."

Full story:
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/02/18/elizabeth-swaney-olympic-halfpipe-contest/

I think The Olympics should be a showcasing of the best in the world and not an average skier cruising through the pipe. This would be impossible in slopestyle, imagine an athlete skipping all the rails and cruising over the knuckles and qualifying for the Olympics?

This is not a personal attack on her, but this shouldn't be possible. It's crazy to think quite a few athletes didn't get send in, or all the American girls who didn't make the cut, but this girl gets to compete. In what world does that make sense?

**This thread was edited on Feb 18th 2018 at 3:09:43pm

**This thread was edited on Feb 18th 2018 at 3:22:17pm
7 years ago
21 1
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Holte
Posts: 10750 - Karma: 7,995
Isn't this the problem with the Olympics as a whole? It's not the best of the best. X Games has a better lineup. Dew Tour has a better linup. Every world tour stop has a better lineup. But the Olympics are about nationality...the world stage... As core fans, this is eye rolling, but for the random viewer, this is our sport.

I'd imagine this is also the case for bobsledding, ice skating, even curling. And somewhere there is a bobsledding forum that is equally pissed off.
7 years ago
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BBD.
Posts: 101 - Karma: 218
https://youtu.be/1rM_b7NjfUQ

Wow batshit crazy this one is
7 years ago
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5676 - Karma: 4,299
Hey if the judging is as crazy as it was in slope then maybe she has a chance?
7 years ago
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.Roockley.
Posts: 3868 - Karma: 4,104
Oh god, this thread if she lands a double out of nowhere in her run now haha
7 years ago
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15098 - Karma: 9,306
.Roockley.Oh god, this thread if she lands a double out of nowhere in her run now haha


Did you watch her training video? I'll eat some of my hair if she does.
7 years ago
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NoSkillsCrew
Posts: 1209 - Karma: 2,155
So uh. Here is this.

First run from qualis.
894570
7 years ago
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
So brave
NoSkillsCrewSo uh. Here is this.

First run from qualis.
894570
7 years ago
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-emile-
Posts: 6613 - Karma: 8,594
NoSkillsCrewSo uh. Here is this.

First run from qualis.
894570


she doesn't even look that out of place
7 years ago
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frekalicious
Posts: 99 - Karma: 298
NoSkillsCrewSo uh. Here is this.

First run from qualis.
894570


Pretty sure Sarah Burke didn’t work her whole life basically to fight for women’s pipe .... for this girl to go do this on an Olympic stage.
7 years ago
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trevorschu
Posts: 708 - Karma: 2,357
NoSkillsCrewSo uh. Here is this.

First run from qualis.
894570


She has a chance if everyone else falls...
7 years ago
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Kretzschmar
Posts: 6746 - Karma: 99,041
GIF for ease of viewing too

7 years ago
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.Roockley.
Posts: 3868 - Karma: 4,104
7 years ago
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BBD.
Posts: 101 - Karma: 218
dear god that is fucking embarassing
7 years ago
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Mingg
Posts: 14023 - Karma: 50,312
This girl just trolled harder than Stephanie mother fuckin Stepp
7 years ago
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Titus69
Posts: 9329 - Karma: 17,829
frekaliciousPretty sure Sarah Burke didn’t work her whole life basically to fight for women’s pipe .... for this girl to go do this on an Olympic stage.


Agreed but it's the Olympics so that means all the invited countries get to invite their athletes to compete in the events...Also this was a livestream so most people who watched qualis probably ski and know what women's pipe can be like, even though a 3 year old could lace a better run than this chick.
7 years ago
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creaturelo
Posts: 628 - Karma: 12,145
nvm that run was dumb heat
7 years ago
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ay_ray
Posts: 18 - Karma: 34
women's skiing gets shat on a lot anyway and i think swaney's jusy adding fuel to the "women will never be on the same level as men"-fire. imo it's way more ~inspiring~ to watch a pro's crash edit than to see someone make skiing look "approchable". i respect swaney's guts for going out there and giving it what she's got, but the olympic selection process needs to be revised so this doesn't become the norm
7 years ago
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iambusyskiing
Posts: 273 - Karma: 4,003
Titus69Agreed but it's the Olympics so that means all the invited countries get to invite their athletes to compete in the events...Also this was a livestream so most people who watched qualis probably ski and know what women's pipe can be like, even though a 3 year old could lace a better run than this chick.


She's not even Hungarian
7 years ago
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What
Posts: 1307 - Karma: 30
Wait wait wait... She has been competing and training for 5 years... and still cant make it out of the pipe?
And its not like she is representing her country, she is American and has some Hungarian grandparents. What a ripoff, there must be so many other american skiers who could do better than her that dont get to compete, and she gets herself in through these loopholes.
Respect for her commitment to trolling the whole sport for so long, but come on. Have some respect for those that actually learn and progress.
7 years ago
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Casey
Posts: 7966 - Karma: 26,104
If someone came to me and was like, oh hey in 3 months you're going to be in the Olympics! I would scramble and try to learn some tricks! I'd at least drop in as fast as all my professional counterparts and roll the dice on sending a couple of hits before I deck out and get carted off the field. What gives?
7 years ago
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bob_dole
Posts: 4081 - Karma: 1,640
I recently worked on a project of another person who is in a similar situation... ie. A winter sports athlete from an African country that would send anyone willing to strap into a snowboard. Thankfully, he didn't go to this year's Olympics because he actually wants to have a semi respectable run to show to the world. I have a lot of respect for his decision and feel that this lady could maybe learn a thing or two from that.
7 years ago
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rudager
Posts: 11336 - Karma: 4,647
Started reading this thread, then was fed information on how she’s here.
There was a competition she was in, god awful weather, and a ton of the athletes fell. Seeing as it was an Olympic qualifier event, she received the points and made it.
I was up at the start talking to one of her coaches. He’s actually a skeleton coach, but was called in to help her out.

These things happen, but what can you do? It’s a competition, and qualifying events are in place to seed out the athletes. I think the chances of an event like this are very low.

Look st the cross country event from yesterday. The Mexican athlete participated in it, had only started skiing last year. As he came across the finish line, dead last and 26 minutes after the first skier competed, he was greeted with praise from his fellow competitors. Heartwarming stuff.
That’s what it’s all about.
7 years ago
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12634 - Karma: 118,283
this thread now MADE me want to watch halfpipe
7 years ago
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TOAST.
Posts: 7692 - Karma: 38,869
her insta is @lizswaney
cant embed it
7 years ago
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Ebunk_theskunk
Posts: 18 - Karma: 66
FUUUCKಠ_ಠ


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/797516/Elizabeth-Swaney--Summer-Halfpipe-Cross-Training-for-Hungary-


Is this a fucking joke?? This looks like a edit I made in 4th grade. She is lying to herself if she thinks she is making more approachable by not even trying. However, someone told me that sometimes in women’s comps, the athletes will agree among themselves to only do so hard of tricks so they don’t have to push themselves. I thought that was a load of total bullshit when I first heard it, but after this?... I’m not so sure. I don’t want to believe it, has anyone else ever heard of this?
7 years ago
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Breaking_Rad
Posts: 478 - Karma: 1,095
2 points:

1) She won't make it through qualifiers so who the f--k cares. If you want to represent your country and there is money and interest to get you there - so be it. It's not like she's taking a spot from another Hungarian.

2) Women's HALFPIPE sucks. Even the originator of this thread isn't killing it because no woman is killing it. The second a top to bottom run with grabs and literal tricks occurs and Maddie Bowman isn't on the podium I'll be blown away. Slopestyle is a different story. Girls are actually progressing. Halpipe is a total cluster.
7 years ago
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9933 - Karma: 9,433
bob_doleI recently worked on a project of another person who is in a similar situation... ie. A winter sports athlete from an African country that would send anyone willing to strap into a snowboard. Thankfully, he didn't go to this year's Olympics because he actually wants to have a semi respectable run to show to the world. I have a lot of respect for his decision and feel that this lady could maybe learn a thing or two from that.


Brolin Mawejje?

I worked alongside him on snow for 2.5 seasons and I also have a lot of respect for that decision, he wanted it and put it a crazy amount of work for it, but the progression curve wasn't quite there and he recognized it, unlike this wacked out attention whore who's making a mockery of skiing with this strait air run. 5 years of training for that shit is pathetic

hyped to see Brolin in 2022
7 years ago
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12634 - Karma: 118,283
lauraobermeyernvm that run was dumb heat

This girl books you for a pipe photoshoot, wyd?
7 years ago
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TOAST.
Posts: 7692 - Karma: 38,869
Breaking_Rad2 points:

1) She won't make it through qualifiers so who the f--k cares. If you want to represent your country and there is money and interest to get you there - so be it. It's not like she's taking a spot from another Hungarian.

2) Women's HALFPIPE sucks. Even the originator of this thread isn't killing it because no woman is killing it. The second a top to bottom run with grabs and literal tricks occurs and Maddie Bowman isn't on the podium I'll be blown away. Slopestyle is a different story. Girls are actually progressing. Halpipe is a total cluster.



I could understand if she was actually hungarian, that would be sick more power to her, just like the guy from Tonga. But she is not she was born in the US and went to Berkeley and Harvard so I doubt she has spent a full year in hungary in her life. From the looks of it she is an attention seeking douche.
7 years ago
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Breaking_Rad
Posts: 478 - Karma: 1,095
TOAST.I could understand if she was actually hungarian, that would be sick more power to her, just like the guy from Tonga. But she is not she was born in the US and went to Berkeley and Harvard so I doubt she has spent a full year in hungary in her life. From the looks of it she is an attention seeking douche.


True, but more than anything women's freeski halfpipe is so ridiculously terrible a straight run might win it. She deserves to be there.

#grabnothing #upright5s
7 years ago
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iambusyskiing
Posts: 273 - Karma: 4,003
Breaking_RadTrue, but more than anything women's freeski halfpipe is so ridiculously terrible a straight run might win it. She deserves to be there.

#grabnothing #upright5s


Did you watch the Brita's and Cassie's qualifying runs? No? Ok
7 years ago
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TheElectricSnail
Posts: 272 - Karma: 3,939
Inb4 #iwanttodateswaney
7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52331 - Karma: 170,781
Did they show her run?

I kinda wanna watch it just to see.
7 years ago
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Scaredwhiteboy
Posts: 1395 - Karma: -937
NBC showing slow-mo shots of her literally just making turns was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing. We need one random amateur like her in every sporting event.

On a sidenote, I haven't skied down a halfpipe in literally years and I'm almost certain I could qualify for the finals in women's halfpipe. Just give me a week to practice and call me Shirley.
7 years ago
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HAIRYNGROSS23
Posts: 117 - Karma: 57
WOMENS FREESTYLE SKIING IS A JOKE IN GENERAL
7 years ago
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
Yes, it was posted in this thread
theabortionatorDid they show her run?

I kinda wanna watch it just to see.
7 years ago
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
Just saw a replay of the event on tv, Devin Logan should try to focus on skiing more rather than jamming out to her tunes. If she took skiing more seriously she could possibly make it past qualifying
7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52331 - Karma: 170,781
cornholioYes, it was posted in this thread


Holy fuck lololololool


I have to watch this. After the big air I'm going to flip it on.
7 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37940 - Karma: 127,634
Just takes away from the whole aspect of working your ass off to compete on the biggest stage for your country in your own sport. Athletes were snubbed big time because of this regardless of the skill level of womens skiing or how you feel about it. doesnt really matter in this case, its some feel-good story NBC is trying to promote again like the tongan cross country skier and the guy from mexico who finished dead last. its so fucking forced and and sick and gross.
7 years ago
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Drail
Posts: 14044 - Karma: 10,319
Olympics is all about this shit, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Example: The Jamaican bobsled team.
7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52331 - Karma: 170,781
DrailOlympics is all about this shit, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Example: The Jamaican bobsled team.


They actually tried though. Improved a bunch and put down some respectable times. They were massive underdogs, they didn't really have a chance to win, but it wasn't a joke.

This girl is a joke. All this training, several world cups, and she won't even try a fucking 3 or 5? Get outta here. Also her talking about trying to inspire the other athletes.
7 years ago
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What
Posts: 1307 - Karma: 30
Please don't group her together with people like the Tongan cross country skier.
He worked his arse off despite having never really been on snow before. He went to several qualification events and failed, yet dedicated himself to improving and finally managed to qualify for the olympics based on ability.
This woman doesnt appear to have worked ot improve, and qualified by competing in events of less than 30 people, where getting a top 30 result guarantees qualification.
He is doing this to encourage young people from the country he was raised in. She is representing Hungary, despite being born and raised in america, based on her grandparents heritage; because representing them would allow her into the olympics.
To me these people seem like polar opposites. One is an inspiration, the other is.... (i cant find the words)
7 years ago
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tcm.worldwide
Posts: 564 - Karma: 3,464
TheElectricSnailInb4 #iwanttodateswaney


$5 if you smash on first date
7 years ago
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rudeboy
Posts: 270 - Karma: 375
You are all a bunch of fucking haters, this girl is living her dream, this whole thread is an embarrassment to skiing
7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52331 - Karma: 170,781
WhatPlease don't group her together with people like the Tongan cross country skier.
He worked his arse off despite having never really been on snow before. He went to several qualification events and failed, yet dedicated himself to improving and finally managed to qualify for the olympics based on ability.
This woman doesnt appear to have worked ot improve, and qualified by competing in events of less than 30 people, where getting a top 30 result guarantees qualification.
He is doing this to encourage young people from the country he was raised in. She is representing Hungary, despite being born and raised in america, based on her grandparents heritage; because representing them would allow her into the olympics.
To me these people seem like polar opposites. One is an inspiration, the other is.... (i cant find the words)


This. Other people actually had to qualify. She just had to show up and ride down the pipe without dying. Other people have shown improvements. She doesn't give a fuck. Fuck her. I'm very excited to see her run though, 3/4 through 1st run quallies at the moment.

I want to throw stuff at her after her comment about trying to inspire people She's been doing this for like 5 years? How the fuck can you be so shitty. She isn't even trying. She isn't trying a 5 and falling, she's just being shit.

I know that wasn't articulate in anyway. But wat de fok.
7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52331 - Karma: 170,781
Holy fuck. I just watched her run. That was pathetic. The judges didn't even know what to say. Womens pipe riding is still a ways back, but jesus fuck that was horrible. Didn't even get air. And then spun around switch riding away?

LOLWUT

Good to see a couple or girls getting some decent air. Hoping pipe improves a bunch the next few years the way slope and big air have. I think having it in the Olympics should help.

I think some of them just need to ride more pipe.
7 years ago
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WildTurkey
Posts: 6 - Karma: 16
HAIRYNGROSS23WOMENS FREESTYLE SKIING IS A JOKE IN GENERAL


Nah the slopestyle was good IMO
7 years ago
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rudager
Posts: 11336 - Karma: 4,647
theabortionatorHoly fuck. I just watched her run. That was pathetic. The judges didn't even know what to say. Womens pipe riding is still a ways back, but jesus fuck that was horrible. Didn't even get air. And then spun around switch riding away?

LOLWUT

Good to see a couple or girls getting some decent air. Hoping pipe improves a bunch the next few years the way slope and big air have. I think having it in the Olympics should help.

I think some of them just need to ride more pipe.


I'm too nice in giving people the benefit of the doubt.
Here I am thinking this is someone from Hungary, and "props to Hungary for giving it a go". It doesn't seem to be the case.
After reading more of the thread, I realize I'm incredibly out of the loop with womens pipe skiing. The fact that she's just holding a dual citizenship and getting in on that is one thing, but you should still be able to prove it ability wise to some matter still. Look at Jai Woo Choi from Korea in moguls, he's a Canadian, but competing for Korea, and kills it. That's how its done.
These happen in sports all the time though, it's unfortunate that it happened in a sport which is already so far in the shadow of its male counterpart.

Fun fact during todays broadcast: with every replay, we show height metre and time splice (which is the 360 rotating camera look). BUT WE JUST COULDN'T DO IT!! The camera guys on the deck could barely see her for the Slo-mos. Kinda hard to see those.
7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52331 - Karma: 170,781
rudagerI'm too nice in giving people the benefit of the doubt.
Here I am thinking this is someone from Hungary, and "props to Hungary for giving it a go". It doesn't seem to be the case.
After reading more of the thread, I realize I'm incredibly out of the loop with womens pipe skiing. The fact that she's just holding a dual citizenship and getting in on that is one thing, but you should still be able to prove it ability wise to some matter still. Look at Jai Woo Choi from Korea in moguls, he's a Canadian, but competing for Korea, and kills it. That's how its done.
These happen in sports all the time though, it's unfortunate that it happened in a sport which is already so far in the shadow of its male counterpart.

Fun fact during todays broadcast: with every replay, we show height metre and time splice (which is the 360 rotating camera look). BUT WE JUST COULDN'T DO IT!! The camera guys on the deck could barely see her for the Slo-mos. Kinda hard to see those.

Thats fucking hilarious. The camera guys not being able to see her and no 360 shot
7 years ago
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barbora_novak
Posts: 5 - Karma: 69
I cannot believe I am seeing this. From from position exactly are you mocking this girl? Yes she can barely ski but apparently she is smart enough to game the system and show stupid it is. There were many times when I was tempted to say my opinion about the shit you do or say but I didn´t because I am starting to feel slightly sorry for you. Do you have any self-reflection? As was mentioned in the previous comment I don´t think there would be much of a difference if 360s and sw360 were done instead of just straight airs. I understand you are heartbroken about not going to the Olympics but there are thousands of other people who won´t get to go for the same reasons and no one is mocking others publicly. I have noticed that you probably have low self esteem issues or maybe it is a deeper problem and in that case, it is nothing to be ashamed of because you can hardly affect how your neurotransmitter work unless you treat them with pills, but that doesn´t give you any credit for these sort of comments. First you criticize Zuzicka for doing naked photoshoot and why? Because you can barely see her tits or because itś bad for women who fight for equality. Well if it the second case you are not exactly helping them by taking snaps in sports bra and shorts, in my mind itś the same thing. And since i am mentioning it everyone is free to do whatever the fuck they want with their body. Secondly this rant about Swaney and the olympics, there is no need for this behaviour. I think you are a smart girl since you have managed to financially support your skiing over the years and that takes certain amount of intelligence, so why this? I am not telling you this to hate you publicly but more to finally say something. On your IG you say that you might not be everyone favorites tea but fuck it. Well you might not be but do you really want to be ridiculed by everyone? next time before you say something like this think harder if it isn´t irrelevant from your position. I think you are probably a nice girl and it´s not too late to show the world your other qualities.
7 years ago
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