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FIS ruins everything, its a bunch of old white dudes in europe that think freeskiing (park, pipe, slope, big air) should be like racing moguls and aerials, I don't have to tell you why that is bad.
eheathFIS ruins everything, its a bunch of old white dudes in europe that think freeskiing (park, pipe, slope, big air) should be like racing moguls and aerials, I don't have to tell you why that is bad.
imo IFSA, while it still had it's inconsistencies with judging, funding, promotion, sponsorship, etc. Was a pretty unique circuit to ski in for both adults and juniors. Their whole approach of revamping juniors at least was to make it more accessible and more cost-friendly compared to seasons prior. FIS makes that a lot harder to achieve and while yes, more $$$ and exposure for current athletes is great, this makes it a lot harder for grassroots athletes to get their in vs. just gaming the points system and skiing your usual comps because you know you'll get points and qualify for world's. Comp skiing is also just not as black and while and still is chock full of judging inconsistencies like we've seen with FIS time and time again. Any time FIS takes over your sport means it's not about the skiing ability, it's about how much your parents and ski team program paid to get you in.
**This post was edited on Dec 8th 2022 at 1:19:43pm
This was the only option likely. I give the FWT 5 years max before its abandoned entierly.
Its been no secret that the FWT has been holding on for dear life financially since its inception, and especially since SWATCH axed its contract as the title sponsor. These event are extremly expensive to run, cater to a small, euro-centric market, and really dont have any way to grow further.
The IFSA has exploded in the past decade by ramping up the amount of junior events in North America. This made the sport more approachable, but also came with a ton of growing pains and some logistical nightmares. Problem is though, Americans still dont give a rats ass about the tour.
FIS sees this as a way to bring more organization to this loose operation. Problem is, FIS is going to quickly realize how unprofitable these competitions are, and likely abandoned it all together as they wont find a buyer.
FIS is also going to realize that there is likely no possible way to get freeride contests in the Olympics. A big selling point for winter games currently has been the advancements in snowmaking technology. if you have the temps, the pitch, and the water source, you can just blow a slope/race/mogul course. However, you cant just artificaly craft a freeride contest, not to mention the other factors such as weather and snowpack that go into venue selection. The IOC will never take on the risk of adding an FWT style event as it cannot simply just be built, making location selections even more challenging than they already are.
The FWT and the freeride contest as it exists today just signed its deathwish, though it has likely been an inevitable reality for some time.
However, that's not to say something new won't come along. There's rumors going around that Natural Selection is going to add a ski-specific leg of the tour (Sammy C is rumored as well to be in talks and will likely be the face). Different venues, format, judging, etc. T-Ricky has a slew of Jackson VC/PE guys backing this (hence why they released a fucking NFT), and it is the next area of logical expansion is skiing.
FIS is going to make the 'Freeride Style' events more inaccessible and irrelevant, all while T-Ricky builds up a new style of contest that will eventually partner with the IFSA after FIS axes the FWT. The general public (especialy the North American market) will like the Natural Selction offerings more, and the next gen of junior and up-and-coming riders will being to favor these contests as well.
TLDR: FWT has been doomed for a while, FIS will fail to grow FWT and kill it, Natural Selection/Travis Rice will define the next generation of freeride/backcountry comps.
Brocka_FlockaFIS is also going to realize that there is likely no possible way to get freeride contests in the Olympics. A big selling point for winter games currently has been the advancements in snowmaking technology. However, you cant just artificaly craft a freeride contest, not to mention the other factors such as weather and snowpack that go into venue selection.
If they were to do it the only logical way would be to do it like surfing. The summer olympics venue for 2024 is set in Paris, but they are holding the surfing competition at Teahupo'o in Tahiti.
GromIf they were to do it the only logical way would be to do it like surfing. The summer olympics venue for 2024 is set in Paris, but they are holding the surfing competition at Teahupo'o in Tahiti.
both french territory. there aren't a lot of countries that over such a diverse landscape
Surprised an outside entity hasn't bought into it. Theres a lot of potential in skiing as a spectator sport but noone has been able to advance it. Definitely not FIS so this sucks fuck them.
I mean skiing is way more popular than golf in terms of participation and general interest among the overall population in many places and look how much interest there is in one sport vs the other. Now yes you have to forget about where there isn't an overlap but Golf might not be legal for much longer somewhere like Arizona where there isn't much skiing and water is disappearing.
Look at all the money the Saudis threw at golfers 100 mil in some cases just to play 10 tournaments a year they don't even have to do well in and then remember most of the FWT doesn't come close to 100k.
AdiibAboth french territory. there aren't a lot of countries that over such a diverse landscape
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are set to be in Italy, where they could probably make something work further North, and the 2030 games is between Japan (they have fwt stop) or Salt Lake City (would be insane!).
Theoretically if free ride really does take off most Winter Olympics countries would justify the cost of a satellite campus for freeride like summer olympics does for surfing
AbiHI don’t know anything about FIS but ifsa was low key a nightmare… I’m excited about the new people they hired to run it, but it’s been chaos.
Literally though. When the supposed heads of organizations like IFSA are rushing to get to the bar everyday after the comps and buying the whole bar rounds (which was fun albeit),. It's time for a regime change or people who aren't still acting like they're 18.
I'm imagining an Olympic freeride competition on baldy right now and I am very excited
GromThe 2026 Winter Olympic Games are set to be in Italy, where they could probably make something work further North, and the 2030 games is between Japan (they have fwt stop) or Salt Lake City (would be insane!).
Theoretically if free ride really does take off most Winter Olympics countries would justify the cost of a satellite campus for freeride like summer olympics does for surfing
Some unpopular thoughts:
- There can come good from this.
- Without the skiers FIS can not host a FWT. Both sides need to stay in dialogue to set up the best Freeride competition in the world. FIS is not out to destroy the sport nor the spirit of it.
- In other sports steps like these often have caused for more money in that sport. That means that athletes might actually be able to make a living in this sport and become actual professionals instead of skiers that have to juggle other jobs to be able to keep competing. Not that I think it is f*cking cool that the passion for this sport is so high that there are skiers who do that.
- I have no insights in the FWT financials but looking back the last couple of years the comp scaled down. Less events while it should have been growing as the level of competition skyrocketed. With a worldwide organization behind it we might see events all over the world again.
GhiniSome unpopular thoughts:
- There can come good from this.
- Without the skiers FIS can not host a FWT. Both sides need to stay in dialogue to set up the best Freeride competition in the world. FIS is not out to destroy the sport nor the spirit of it.
Tell that to the girls at the pyongchang Olympics slopestyle. Ran them in the same weather that ski racing was cancelled. Fuck fis they can suck dick.
IsaacNW82Could they artificially craft a course? Yes. Should they? Please god no. I'm gonna cry if I ever see an Olympic freeride contest on man-made snow
I never liked the FWT in the first place, its the type of skiing you just can not put into competitive form. With FIS I do not see it getting much better. Freeride ≠ rules...
ski_joeI never liked the FWT in the first place, its the type of skiing you just can not put into competitive form. With FIS I do not see it getting much better. Freeride ≠ rules...
Humans can turn anything into a competition. And you obviously didn’t watch last season.
Brocka_FlockaFIS is also going to realize that there is likely no possible way to get freeride contests in the Olympics. A big selling point for winter games currently has been the advancements in snowmaking technology. if you have the temps, the pitch, and the water source, you can just blow a slope/race/mogul course. However, you cant just artificaly craft a freeride contest, not to mention the other factors such as weather and snowpack that go into venue selection. The IOC will never take on the risk of adding an FWT style event as it cannot simply just be built, making location selections even more challenging than they already are.
Freeride would be difficult to fit into the games but by no means impossible. Ski mountaineering is in the 2026 games; that's presumably not a man-made course. If they have to go outside of the main city, they can do that; they've shown a willingness to with surfing being held on the other side of the world. It's not like the games are being held in countries completely devoid of mountains. Weather is an issue for every freeride comp, and yet they manage more often than not.
cypherswon’t happen until the IOC figures out how to build a couloir with scaffolding and migrant labor
which is exactly what they like to do. I love the take and was just bashing the IOC over what they are doing to the Teahupo'o wave in Tahiti. They are ruining reef to allow judges to have air conditioned bathrooms over the water in a sensitive area. Meanwhile, there's been a modest judge stand that's worked just fine for years of contests. The IOC runs one of the biggest rackets ever, leaving blood and ruin in their path for 3 weeks of bullshit.
... but I also think these freeride contests are turning into a hell of a show and are actually representing the pinnacle of the sport. and if the olympics are to exist, let em rip. and it will probably be comical to see what kind of course they get to run. But maybe, just maybe, it will be rad?
kamiI just watched the What the FWT? movie and the founder said the goal was the 2030 Olympics. What are y’all’s takes on this?
Won't happen until FIS figures out to monetize the FWT to exclusive live TV distribution/rights with their partners (NBC, CBC, eurosport, and whatever nordic cable TV channel exists that I haven't VPN'd into) that also have exclusive Olympic rights. And then on top of that, sportwash it with ski racing coverage. This is a fact, and until the announcement is made, pay attention to how much FIS/FWT bullshits about how "it's a process to be an olympic sport".
It's been a playbook that's been applied with freeskiing/snowboarding, and I don't expect it to stop unless some major player comes in and puts some chips on the table.
The only competent private "action sports" organization is the WSL who before surfing's inclusion, made sure that tour points/results counted for their athletes inclusion (and rightfully so).
kamiI just watched the What the FWT? movie and the founder said the goal was the 2030 Olympics. What are y’all’s takes on this?
honestly ive stopped watching FWT content after the merger, but this is sad to hear. If it somehow becomes an Olympic sport, I predict athletes will cycle through faster, get injured way more often, and legacy's will not last as long as they do on the current tour.
When putting together a broadcast for a scheduled Olympic date, do you think any of these dudes will care that the venue is windblown rock hard ice on 50 degree slope and low tide conditions? No. Do you think the athletes will do stupid shit because there is the potential of an "Olympic medal". Yes. Also when is the last time any one of these dudes dropped a cliff? yet alone skied?
mikemhonestly ive stopped watching FWT content after the merger, but this is sad to hear. If it somehow becomes an Olympic sport, I predict athletes will cycle through faster, get injured way more often, and legacy's will not last as long as they do on the current tour.
When putting together a broadcast for a scheduled Olympic date, do you think any of these dudes will care that the venue is windblown rock hard ice on 50 degree slope and low tide conditions? No. Do you think the athletes will do stupid shit because there is the potential of an "Olympic medal". Yes. Also when is the last time any one of these dudes dropped a cliff? yet alone skied?
you haven't seen shit until you've seen Enzo Smrekar ski!
jk. I don't care about any of those fools. but I am actually hyped to see the big show this year. last year went off when it went down. though they cancelled a couple events.
these are my favorites to watch, and others will win this year too. it's quite hype.
finn bilous abel moga craig murray max palm marcus G ross tester weitien ho
snomasterthese are my favorites to watch, and others will win this year too. it's quite hype.
finn bilous abel moga craig murray max palm marcus G ross tester weitien ho
as for the women, this is pretty much the core group I think are on it. but I hope others surprise us and step up this year too!
