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Do you think ski competition is stupid?

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Duluthskier17
Posts: 23 - Karma: 1,419
Do you think ski competition is stupid? I have a lot of friends who say competing (especially at a junior level) is stupid. I mean they will watch x games and stuff but would never compete themselves.
What do you think?
Feb 25 2014 11:17PM
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Substitute
Posts: 1375 - Karma: 2,270
I think people should stop actively giving a fuck about how other people ski. In all homesty we just throw these weird planks to our feet and slide down hills all day. How you go about it is your pwn buisness.
Feb 25 2014 11:24PM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,158
regulated competition (fis, ussa) is utter bullshit, rail jams, park jams, and other unregulated comps are tight though! but ski for fun, that's the best way to do it.
Feb 25 2014 11:25PM
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
I can't speak for park comps.. but as far as big mtn comps go I think it depends on how you look at it.

I personally do it primarily because it pushes me out of my comfort zone and to try things I wouldn't normally do when just skiing around. I also love the vibes at comps and how it's just you and 90 other like minded people all stoked to be riding.

The thing I hate is how since the FWT has got bigger, more people are taking it super serious and you can see the odd few at comps almost treating it the same as ski racers, which I find quite depressing as that pre race vibe is why I quit racing and started freeriding.

Watching the slope and pipe at the olympics kind of made me sad and stoked at the same time. People threw down hard, but seeing a coach stood next to them at the top shouting them out the start gate just made me see racing.

tl:dr: Comps are good for pushing the sport, but when it gets too serious it sucks.
Feb 26 2014 4:13AM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,182
Comps are cool, but when it comes becomes to competetive that's when it's stupid, for example every year Australia has a nation wide comp called interschools, where you compete against other schools in events like downhill and skiier cross, at the lower levels it's just for fun but at the higher levels they're all so serious, and the worst part is they think they're better than you because they are rich (only rich schools enter mostly) and they ski around in full skin suits when they're not competing with their bibs still on like it means something to be in this comp, it means shit all to be in interschools, it's open anyone can enter and they act like they are the best thing in skiing since henrik haurlaut pisses me off so much how cocky they are, they even have the audacity to talk shit about your gear in the lift line because my skis are 3 seasons old uhh
Feb 26 2014 7:08AM
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270on420out
Posts: 7492 - Karma: 50,771
I love rail jams. But hate most comps organized by USASA. Especially USASA rail jams.
Feb 26 2014 8:10AM
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_____alfredo____
Posts: 1123 - Karma: 2,503
why do people act like you can only compete or film and nothing else
Feb 26 2014 4:38PM
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mski
Posts: 4791 - Karma: 3,803
Comps are great! I felt lucky to participate because that was the only real way to get into the ski community when I was 15-17 years old. I did like USASA comps and met other freeskiers that way. Im a huge advocate of competing on that grassroots level where all the drama is put aside.

Even local Rail Jams and my favorite comp I was ever in , Young Gun Open, were so relaxed that it was just a fun day on the hill with a ton of people I was friends with / looked up to.

I think if your capable of the level of skiing to compete professionally and thats your passion go for it. But, don't hate just cause its beyond what you find interesting.

I hate cross country skiing, but that doesn't mean I'm gunna hate on their scene because of it.

As freeskiers, most of us are far to much into one anothers business. Since when do other people dictate what do you for fun? What is this North Korea?
Feb 26 2014 4:46PM
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zwilly
Posts: 635 - Karma: 1,908
Comps are way to serious. I prefer to just do railjams and have fun not worrying about placing or something.
Feb 26 2014 6:27PM
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AceleTerrie
Posts: 257 - Karma: 36
im not a competitive person at all so its hard for me to get into comps. id rather cruise with my friends have everyone stomp new shit. also in comps i find people dont try new things generally, you just try to link tricks you can already do. also entry fees are stupid cuz the next day you can lap the comp course all day usually haha
Feb 27 2014 12:21AM
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snakerton
Posts: 2434 - Karma: 1,977
I've done a decent amount of big mountain comps and I love it. Mostly for the adrenaline rush. When I drop in to my run I am so amped up I can amaze myself with my own ability.

I can see two downsides, they are expensive and maybe too serious.
Feb 27 2014 12:26AM
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stupendous-man
Posts: 8637 - Karma: 13,293
unsactioned rail jams hosted by your mountain are sick. usasa rail jams are not rail jams because you actually only have three runs that you are judged on so its pretty much a rail comp.


Feb 27 2014 12:34AM
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TomDavies
Posts: 788 - Karma: 5,295
skiing
Feb 27 2014 12:47AM
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
Personally, while comps are entertaining, and push athletes and ultimately the sport, I'm not a huge fan of them. I'll watch Grand Prix, Dew Tour and XGames of course, and I was up at 3am to watch slope finals, but after competing in a couple this year, then tearing my acl preparing for another, I've decided I'm not into comps, they're just not mah thang.

To each their own, though! If you want to compete, fuck what your friends think, go out and compete. If you're just posing the question to see others' thoughts on the matter, here are mine.
Feb 27 2014 1:06AM
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Saga.
Posts: 3812 - Karma: 45,323
Competitions at the level you're referring to OP are good if you enjoy competing and feel that they push you at the rate you like. Competitions aren't everything. But they can be good/fun
Feb 27 2014 1:09AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7099 - Karma: 17,038
Comps were some of my best ski days. It awsome to ride with loads of people who you may not get to ride with often. You usually get to ride the biggest and best setup's. You win free shit. And the whole atmosphere pushes you to try new things.

I raced DH mountain bikes and ski raced and did slope and it's something I think all young riders should at least try.
Feb 27 2014 5:27AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51257 - Karma: 157,314
If you don't want to compete don't. It isn't stupid. IF you don't like it don't do it.


Feb 27 2014 10:45AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13044 - Karma: 18,268
Contests are sick. Now that I am older, I see contests as a get together of all the best riders of the area. It is the time to push yourself and to encourage others. People dont do comps for one reason: they dont want to lose. All I can say is fuck it, go out there and have fun. I finished last in my last events, but they were so much fun I cant wait for next year.
Feb 27 2014 11:32AM
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thedanimal
Posts: 490 - Karma: 180
We should all just stop giving a fuck about what others are doing. Weather it be racing slope skiing or just filming. It would make skiing so much better.
Feb 27 2014 7:52PM
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milk_man
Posts: 5214 - Karma: 6,494
For the people who are good at skiing and only skiing, comps are a good way for those people to make a couple dollars. And they're usually fun for everyone
Feb 27 2014 9:43PM
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Blynch2
Posts: 480 - Karma: 1,006
Hahaha this m8 is replying to his own thread. Hes in 10GrandMedia and probably made this thread on that account.
Feb 27 2014 10:19PM
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skibumb2929
Posts: 1119 - Karma: 1,474
"we used to be at the start gate joking messing around a few of us were smoking joints"
T hall
that shit was when skiing was at its peak that shit was dope now shits just like some crazy ass sport just chill out shred some pow or some park have fun push each other bmoke a sowl
Feb 28 2014 12:49AM
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PhuzzyWuzzy
Posts: 358 - Karma: 82
A "Freeride Competition" is an oxymoron. 
Feb 28 2014 12:51AM
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CaptnCooke
Posts: 24 - Karma: 35
i think its pretty sick when you have the best skiiers around the world all together in one big event its like one big friendly sesh!
Mar 3 2014 4:19PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36658 - Karma: 110,390
not really, because I competed for a few years from age 14 to 16. the skiing and going up against other people part is fine, theres nothing wrong with that. I'm just not a fan of how political everything is with FIS and the governing bodies of it. also, i think its hard to judge freeskiing because people interpret it in many different ways, much like art. some people like rails more than jumps, others like more technical spins and grabs where others like floaty cork threes and "style" tricks.
Mar 3 2014 5:32PM
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Session
Posts: 5315 - Karma: 21,334
It's always a mother fucker from Minnesota...
Mar 3 2014 5:41PM
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Wolfgang.
Posts: 807 - Karma: 866
I've always enjoyed competing. It always gives me an idea of where my skiing has truly progressed to. It's also an opportunity to push yourself even more, perfect tricks, and see what you can do on the spot. Personally I think hating on people because of how they want to ski, is no better than the classic 'racer mentality'.
Mar 3 2014 6:03PM
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Saga.
Posts: 3812 - Karma: 45,323
I think in these cases its incredibly important that every competition make the riders aware what type of contest its going to be. As long as everyone involved has equal information about what it takes to win it eliminates a lot of the subjectiveness. You can't just say, "We're looking for the best possible run." That could be so many different things to so many people.
Mar 3 2014 6:38PM
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.Witta
Posts: 114 - Karma: 262
Minnesota hosts lots of competitions every year
Mar 3 2014 9:11PM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,158
Keep quiet unless You TRYNA get icicled.
Mar 4 2014 9:36AM
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Session
Posts: 5315 - Karma: 21,334
The best part....I spent half my childhood in Mn.
Mar 4 2014 10:20AM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,158
So you are familiar with the practice of icicling.
Mar 4 2014 10:26AM
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Iraq_Lobster
Posts: 1866 - Karma: 4,904
I love competing in local big park comps. I love the fact that it kinda makes me feel like im a pro or something, I also really like how tense and serious it can get, like when it's your last run and the adrenaline is pumping so hard and everyone's watching, I think it's fun
Mar 4 2014 10:36AM
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Ali_Dibden
Posts: 1966 - Karma: 1,688
The atmosphere at comps is really good i find, everyone is stoked for each other to land new stuff and after the comp most go for runs down the park which is always a good time. I also really like the adrenaline that trying to put down a good run gives me.
Mar 4 2014 11:03AM
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