Birk Ruud at Rev Tour

It really bothers me seeing younger skiers post about getting third at a rev tour or something similar and the other guys on the podium are full on pros with energy drink sponsors and stuff.

Probably really needs some FIS points...

That’s what I was thinking

Skier-JonProbably really needs some FIS points...

A lot of the bigger riders are doing the rev tours this season as they are the only events to happen so far this year and they need the points. They may be targeted to 13-19 year old riders, but they are also Nor-ams, and can get US riders a Grand Prix spot if they do well. They can also get international riders enough points to get into the Grand Prix and World Cups. It definitely sucks for the younger kids, but it can also be super beneficial for them. If a rider that has a ton of points does the event, it brings up the point level for everyone. For example, the Aspen Open last season was at the same time as a Grand Prix (or World Cup, I don't remember), so all of the big dogs with big points went to the Grand Prix. Because of this, the winner got something like 70-80 points. This year, because Birk and other people with a lot of points competed, the winner got 290 points. It's definitely a double edged sword, but having them compete can help everyone by bringing considerably more points to the event.
This event in Aspen was absolutely insane. Birk was crushing. T-pod blew minds. Fuck, even Schlopy did it.

bnewbs6A lot of the bigger riders are doing the rev tours this season as they are the only events to happen so far this year and they need the points. They may be targeted to 13-19 year old riders, but they are also Nor-ams, and can get US riders a Grand Prix spot if they do well. They can also get international riders enough points to get into the Grand Prix and World Cups. It definitely sucks for the younger kids, but it can also be super beneficial for them. If a rider that has a ton of points does the event, it brings up the point level for everyone. For example, the Aspen Open last season was at the same time as a Grand Prix (or World Cup, I don't remember), so all of the big dogs with big points went to the Grand Prix. Because of this, the winner got something like 70-80 points. This year, because Birk and other people with a lot of points competed, the winner got 290 points. It's definitely a double edged sword, but having them compete can help everyone by bringing considerably more points to the event.
This event in Aspen was absolutely insane. Birk was crushing. T-pod blew minds. Fuck, even Schlopy did it.

Who’s tpod

keagan.karstensWho’s tpod

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLutNx9lyEo/

This happens in surfing too. A guy on the world tour can go do the lesser contests if he wants. Sometimes they need to for points, or because they haven't competed in a while and want to keep the competitive juices flowing. Technically there's nothing stopping them from just going if they want to ruin some noobs though.

That being said, although maybe less so with skiing, the non big name pro field is stacked. There's so many great surfers not on the world tour that surf at a high enough level, and there's probably less but still quite a few amazing skiers that just don't compete but would slay on the big stage.