2010 Winter Olympics: Ski-Cross Makes Fantastic Debut in Vancouver

Switzerland’s Michael Schmid took the gold in the first Olympic ski cross event in Vancouver last night.

The spectacular event certainly proved itself as an event worthy of Olympic acceptance, drawing huge crowds to the sunny Cyprus Hill cross course.

Inspired by the fusion of freestyle and downhill, and the translation of a typically snowboard-only discipline to ‘planks’, ski cross was conceived to be as exciting, exhilarating and technically taxing as possible.

The Olympic competition begins with a larger group of skiers put through a time trial. The fastest 16 (women’s) or 32 (men’s) advance to a heat stage which eventually reaches a final (‘big’ and ’small’ finals decide positions one through four and five through eight respectively).

First over the line wins, and contact is strictly prohibited.

Contrasting with downhill and slalom events, ski cross competitors dress much more akin to freestylers than to racers. In fact, speed suits are banned under the FIS regulations. This padding certainly proves useful when, as many competitors discovered, you take a tumble.

Equipment wise, skiers use adapted grand slalom skis usually known for their slightly longer length (giving a longer turn radius) and reduced edge radius—giving a smoother turn and increased stability at speed compared to slalom skis. Cross skis generally have a slightly softer tip to help deal with the steeper bumps and to soften landings.

Ski cross requires supreme lower body fitness to cope with the substantial jumps and rollers designed to off balance the rider. In addition, a heavier skier will excel at the front, whereas a lighter skier will be better at overtaking, leaving it to the last possible moment to emerge victorious from a heavier rider’s slipstream.

Yesterday’s final drew a huge sell-out crowd and though the home favourite, Christopher Delbosco, took a huge spill in the closing of the final, the eventual winner, Schmid was immensely impressive throughout the whole competition.

His No. 1 world ranking is well deserved.

This article was written by Katie Hobbs for Half Volley , the half sport, half science website.