2008 US Open Info

(your response to Mattyb)

no way dude. I don't think any kid that gets in from signing up expects to win. Kids should sign up for the experience, see what they got agains the pros, see what high level competing is all about without the comp being completly invite only.

whatever though, im so over competing. shits turning into racing how serious kids are taking shit now/
 
Us open sucks......i mean im a hypocrite as i do it, but thats only to try and get somewhere....but as far as comps go, sucks balls
 
Yeah sooo lame. In 2009 you can all come to the WILLEMS AMERICA OPEN. Its gonna be sick Im going to just watch you guys and whoever I think is the best Ill pick then Ill compete too and whoever wins is going to be the best skier in the world he gets that title just for winning WILLEMS AMERICA OPEN. Ill see you then.
 
Ok, I know it's US Open but I'd like to bring an european point of view to this discussion. Skiing marketing, connections between teams and ski resorts are so much bigger and better in America than in Europe. This is caused by financial situation of skiing business in America. When there is so much more money in this business, you can put together bigger teams and pay for the riders. Then the american team manager, who has better connections than his european fellow just calls to his friend, who is taking care of US Open registration and announce him the riders he want's into the comp.

Im not saying that there are no team spots to US Open in Europe at all. But after all, it's all about money. Americans are publishing pictures of their own riders in magazines and american ski brands rather take domestic riders to their teams in order to sell their products better. Kids wouldn't look up for euro guy, who can hardly speak english. In addition, americans are also more eager to get their own riders into competitions such as US Open. You mentioned Mike Hentituk, Matt Hayward, Max Hill and Jon Brogans. As I know, they are all from USA or Canada and that's why you know these riders. There's so many good, sponsored riders in Europe that are not getting in, because their sponsors doesn't have good enough connections to US Open. And that's why me and so many other good europeans are going to have a hard time with this lottery thing.

 
Actually, there is a big difference: For the WSI lottery you could only enter once.  This system that the Open is using encourages rich kids to spend tons of cash (which doesn't go towards entry fee) for multiple tickets.
 
there should be a reasonable cap to the lottery so that no few people can buy it out. I guess theyre hoping that the richer pros who usually compete will spend more money but thats a pretty dumb system.
 
yeah like ill do rail jams and stuff cause its not so serious and its fun to be just straight skiing then hiking up nonstop for 30 minuites, it gets you all pumped.  but big comps can be so gay, everyone is so serious and shit.  it just sucks cause if you wanna get a sponsor or anything thats easily the best way.
 
your talking about how your company wont be able to get you in because you're from europe? in many ways i have seen it as the exact opposite.. i'm having trouble getting into the event because all the spots at salomon are being given to europeans..
 
I don't have a problem with a lottery. THe NY city marathon uses a lottery. I do have a problem with entering the lottery more than once. Not very democratic eh?
 
I don't think so honestly. Take a look back at the 04 Open. TJ signed up as a complete unknown, wins Slope and finishes 2nd in Big Air. And if I'm not mistaken, that same year, Tanner Rainville, another total unknown at the time, finished 3rd at slope.

I think the USFO is definitely the place where surprises can happen.
 
don't get me wrong kids can totally come out of nowhere.

Schiller

Spong

Rainville

...

but thats a short list...i'm talking MOST kids that sign up
 
Hey what about me? I registered. I am going to throw down and own you all with my spread daffy whirly bird.

 
Over the last 10 years, the US Freeskiing Open, started and owned by

Mountain Sports Media, has become the premiere event for park and pipe

skiers in the world. Part of the reason for this is that Mountain Sports

Media has done a good job fostering its growth and promoting the event.

Another reason for this event's "premiere" status is that it is truly an

"Open" event where young and undiscovered skiers are allowed to compete

and routinely showcase next-generation talent and excitement.

However, the 2008 Freeskiing Open will be less authentic.

Mountain Sports Media - the owners of Skiing, Ski, Warren Miller and

Skinet -- and event producers Mountain Sports International (MSI)'s new

lottery system for gaining entrance into the 2008 US Freeskiing Open is

unfair and inaccessible for many of the best young skiers in

the world for the following reasons:

* It is no longer a true "Open" event because most people will

never have the chance to qualify or gain "open" access. Instead, people

will be chosen at random through a lottery. And most "up-and-comers"

will be excluded even from qualifying.

* The lottery system is biased in that it allows as many entries

for each person as possible for $5 per each entry, unlimited.

those with more money, time and computer access stand a greater

chance of entry than those with less. This means that, unlike a true or

pure "Open," there is little chance that the best undiscovered skiers

will be able to compete.

* The lottery submission fees are non-refundable. They are also not

credited toward your entry fee if you're selected. This is unfair to prospective competitors. So, for aspiring young skiers who are spending all their savings

on additional lottery tickets, it’s loose-loose scenario for the entrant if they

do not win a spot.

I realize that there is no single, perfect solution. But there are alternatives that

are more fair and feasible. Some suggestions:

* Identify or hold more qualifying events

* Hold more qualifying heats

* Make regional or resort spots available to coaches, programs and feeder events

* On various websites, make alternative forms of access to entry

available. (ie. If you don't gain entrance in the lottery, you can go to

these events or you can submit entry resume with references, etc.)

Moving forward, I would be more than happy to help implement any of the solutions to keep this event as successful as it has been in the past.

Best regards,

Paddy Kaye

Rossignol Team manager

 
^^^^ Paddy! Thank you very much for your post. Thank You Thank You Thank You....

What surprises me is that I would think that Copper would want as many as possible to enter and attend the event. As a parent, I respect my sons desire to want to attend and participate. I am willing to make that week a ski week vacation for my family regardless of how he might place.

As it stands now, there is a very good chance that we will not be going, because he will not get selected. Is it really that difficult to add an additional heat or two this year and revisit it next year for a different qualifying format?
 
Yeah well i ended up putting one more in, but im still boycotting by not spending 100s of my mommy and daddys dollars. Actually now that I think about it, i wouldn't be able to spend my parents money anyways. Poop. Fail.
 
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