FIS SUCKS – an example brought to you by Ted Ligety.

Ya, but FIS is FIS.... Thankfully, they aren't acting that way towards freesking right now.. They're treating freeskiing well, and asking for athlete input. Being a former FIS racert/turned Freeskier, I believe however that Ted is alluding to the future. Nobody want's to see FIS come in, ask for advice and then come up with their own rules limiting jump size, distance between jumps, amount of jumps per vertical feet, and control everything. The only data about FIS right now pretty much exists in years upon years of racing. Hopefuly you'd think that they are becoming more in-tune with a newer generation, and a newer sport. But, you'd think they'd take that newfound school of thought, and maybe correlate it towards racing as well. Since it appears thats not the case, it just leave a whole lot up in the air. The thing is, we as athletes, fans, competitors, and skiers, can join in force and find a positive way to possibly change this. It's going to take someone like Ted, and Jon, Bode, Simon, Tanner, to collectively come together and use the companies that produce their skis to make a difference. IMO.... good article, stoked to read all the responses.. But iv the Germans can bomb Pearl Harbor, a group of skiers can unite and form a union to collectively fight FIS... even if its just through encouraging ski manufacturer's to not produce ski's that FIS deems legal. That would be the best start IMHO.
 
i see no sympathy in that post, the guys basically saying that because we don't race and these rules don't directly effect us we shouldn't care. well thats a bullshit attitude. like i said before hopefully you dont get fucked over too.
 
This is why I cant understand the push for our sport to be included in the Olympics. I understand its a sign of legitimacy, sure, but come on, did you seriously think that FIS would not come in with a bag of dicks and dick everything up?

Freeskiing has always been about freedom and rebellion from rules and the norm. I know part of this will always live on, probably out of bounds and in deep glorious powder, but its a shame that we'll soon be having similar discussions about rules for park and halfpipe disciplines.
 
ligety rules. also it would be sick if this was stickied, everyone should see this with all the olympic talk
 
Seriously Chuglife?

So the FIS is ignoring the wishes of alpine racers and the slope style side of snowboarding, but they're not that bad cause they're listening to us?

So you're siding with the governing body while turning your back on the concerns of your fellow athletes.

And yes it can affect what skiing is to us. EX. An unfortunate accident occurs during a FIS slopestyle event and someone becomes paralyzed or even worse dies. FIS determines that the shape or size of the jump was at fault. They decide without any input from the athletes that jumps can only be a certain shape and size at all FIS sanctioned events. The USSA will follow suit since their events are promoted as Olympic qualifiers. Shortly after most resorts will also follow the new regulations for fear that if they don't they will have to answer in court why they went against the Olympic standard. Everyday parks will now be regulated by the FIS.

Summary: The athletes have the power right now, do not ignore what Ted Ligety, Bode Miller, Terje Haakonsen and thousands of others have gone through. The olympics want slope and pipe because it's marketable and exciting. Much more so then moguls and racing. Don't follow in the footsteps of racing and moguls and sellout to the FIS. Stand up as a group of athletes across all disciplines and demand change from FIS!
 
spot on, mike douglas said in an interview long ago (that i for whatever reason bring up whenever theres an olympic thread) that they [the royal canadian air force] started freeskiing to get away from FIS and rules, now look where we are...
 
I completely agree with you and MikeWeinerONE as I am a current FIS racer. A girl, but it still effects the entire industry.

I was just saying I thought that was what Chug was trying to say. Don't say 'Fuck FIS' to the freestyle things just yet, as they are being treated right at the moment. However, Ted's warning should be heeded. As if you look at the past FIS always stuffs things up.
 
Ted is the man, and i believe that it will only be a matter of time before FIS starts to try and control our sport like they do in ski racing. At least the competition side of our sport, especially now that people will be trying to earn a place in the olympics. However we can all be glad that unlike racing, freestyle skiing is not one big competition and there are aspects of it that can not be touched by FIS. I don't think FIS will be at level 1's spring shoot or your local rail jam making sure all the athletes skis adhere to length and sidecut regulations haha.
 
Basically this... I remember back in 2006 when i quit racing it was just so serious and everything was just red and blue. FIS always found a way to shit on everything.

I starting riding big mountain afterwards and it just sucks that FIS is getting involved in freeskiing.

I think FIS should allow freeskiing to have it's own regulation board to work along side IOC for halfpipe and slopestyle in the Olympics.

Just my 2 cents.
 
I'm sorry, but this is really, really stupid. You're acting like an egotistical 10 year old who got his share of the candy, and doesn't give a fuck about his friends. You fail to realise that FIS is one single organisation, and what they are doing to others right now, might very well happen to us as well. As someone else said, it's worrying that you care so little about your fellow skiers and snowboarders, who are being fucked up the ass big time right now. Please try to understand that racing, snowboarding and freestyle skiing exist in the same world, and will undoubtedly effect each other. If you take a historical look at FIS policy towards athletes, you would probably take this seriously, and not make stupid comments like this.
 
As long as you don't forget what they did to mogul skiing and "aerials" back in the day. Watch vid of pre-FIS moguls and post FIS moguls. They took the "free" out of freestyle for an entire generation. It took 20 years for the grass roots to bring it back. Now they want in again...beware...
 
Threads. Seem ridiculous what they are doing without asking what the racers want. Also putting them in danger
 
Poor chug...... The only reason athletes are down with this is because our industry barley supports athletes financially and the olympics looks like the only way to get more support to keep doing what we love.... but i ask you why is no surfing, skateboarding, bmxing in the olypics but are doing fine?
 
haha

All the problems with FIS in snowboarding and racing result from the FIS having no reason to listen to anyone's dissenting opinion. The snowboarders can't effectively boycott because, with the exception of Terje, nobody is willing to be the one person missing out on the Olympics. They don't listen to racers because FIS is the only gig in town.

Even though the process in slope/pipe skiing is going nicely right now, eventually FIS is going to make a boneheaded decision, and skiers will be a lot better off if the athletes can present a coherent opposition. Maybe AFP can play that role?
 
The thing is.... there are still mogul fields, there are still dudes that shred moguls, but that sport is dead to the youth because there's zero upward mobility and the constraints on a competitive level filter down to the next generation. You can still win the Olympics, but when a cork 7 without a grab scores the same as a cork 7 blunt, or a back flip X, it's really not that enjoyable to participate in.

What if they do that with park skiing? What if a switch dub 10 blunt scores the same as a switch 10 blunt? If FIS made a move like that, it would sure as hell dictate the direction of tricks and how people do them.

It could also swing in our favor... What if FIS decides that Phil/ Henrik's style of rail skiing is infinitely better, more technical, and competition worthy than 10,000 switch up and pretzel combinations on a box? That would put a smile on my face at least....

Although I see your point, I think FIS does suck; as does any governing body trying to control a lifestyle to keep their defunct organization going. The important thing is to keep skiing raw, keep wearing clothing, making edits, and listening to music that pisses people off. The last thing we need is a handful of politically correct country club cockboys running the industry.

 
Okay I realize FIS sucks and everything but if you don't race or compete in any form, how will this affect you personally or your skiing whatsoever? It won't.
 
because for those who do or want to, (i don't anymore) the way they learn to ski is going to change for the worse. 17 year old kids are going to have to learn how to turn a ski that is basically a downhill ski on a GS course. that's ridiculous and benefits no one

for freeskiing, if some sort of equipment or course regulation came into effect in 5-10 years (hopefully it doesn't w/ the AFP) the effect will be felt in the products companies sell and the way parks are built.

example:

FIS makes a max limit on slopestyle and pipe skis of 180cm.

-companies stop making park skis over 180 and the bigger guys competing are stuck w/ 180's

FIS makes a limit on jump type/size

-major parks around the country (a51, breck, mammoth) make jumps to close to that spec because that's what the pros want to train on.

obviously the changes made in racing are going to have a bigger impact than anything i can think of in freeskiing, but the fact that they were able to do it w/ so much opposition is saying something
 
It's more as a portent of things to come. Besides which, it is a pretty shitty deal for the people it directly affects, which... well, I care about even though I'm not one of them. Moreover, it obviously affects the entire ski industry in so far as it affects manufacturers and retailers of product.
 
Guess I should've seen this coming hahaha.

No. 1 I am 100% supportive of what Ligety is saying. The sport of ski racing (which is only competition based) is fucked. Entirely.

No. 2 In no way am I turning my back on any of my fellow athletes. The majority of them aren't nearly as concerned as you guys are to be honest haha.

No. 3 Writing that I'm "acting like an egotistical 10 year old who got his share of the candy, and doesn't give a fuck about his friends" is completely ridiculous, uncalled for, and unnecessary, but hey, you can be a dick if you want I suppose. To each there own.

No. 4 The AFP is whats ruling right now. The IOC does not want to change our sport, nor snowboardings. Look at Snowboard pipe, it's been an olympic sport for what almost 10 years? Do you think snowboarding has changed? Look at Danny Davis, Danny Kass, Louie Vito, I Pod, Scotty Lago, Peetu and so on. Do those guys seem that lost? Danny has podiumed at 2 Olympics, and runs the sickest contest ever, the Grenade Games. Scotty Lago creates some of the most epic segments I've ever seen. I still have faith in the IOC if this is still possible after Olympic pipe being in for 10 years.

No. 5 They are coming to us, I repeat. They didn't do that with the other sports (moguls, aerials). This is why we are supportive. The rules are the same as X Games, Dew Tour, etc...just as the AFP likes it. If this ever happens to change and they do decide to change our sport we will NOT support it. Times have changed my friends.

All I'm saying is, yes, FIS fucked racing, completely, 100% agreeable, but they are doing there best, and its working very well, to keep US, the SKIER, happy. Give them a chance for slope and pipe.

As for racing, fuck FIS for that, that is total and complete horseshit, but our sport is still good, and we intend on keeping it that way, which it is right now.

Anyways, you guys can continue hating on me if you'd like but, I'm sure nothing will affect you, or our sport as well. :)

Love always,

Chuggles
 
Oh also, if you pay attention to my ski career at all... have you seen Chug Life? Do I seem like someone whos going to support a shit ton of rules and regulations?

hahaha
 
This is exactly the problem. The olympics is the most legitimate body in our sports. Sports that are based around illegitimacy and creativity. As soon as the courts are involved and you are not inline with such a regulated body, they courts will question your diligence.

It will be a slow change but it will happen. Look at CWSAA and how they have changed park construction.
 
your ski career seems pretty unprofessional(partying is great no hate) with an increasing lack of skiing, this new rule is going to seriously affect alot of professional ski racer careers.
 
Sorry about the 10 year old remark, i hope we're cool.

But don't you see that FIS's willingness to fuck over one side of skiing proves that they are capable of completely disregarding the athletes in a sport, and enforce their own grotesque rules?

Maybe FIS and the olympics didn't ruin snowboarding, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be cautious when it comes to dealing with them. I'm not sure snowboarding moved in the direction snowboarders initially wanted after 98, but now they accept it, and make the best of it. Maybe we should be careful not to end up in a position where we don't control the direction out sport is taking. And as of right now skiracing and snowboarding are being fucked over, I don't get why you don't acknowledge the possibility of it happening to freestyle skiing as well.

I guess what i'm saying is that history provides us with enough proof to make us tread carefully when it comes to the FIS.
 
So you don't think FIS and the olympics has changed snowboarding?

Then lets take a look at some snowboarding history.

Back in the 1990s the snowboarders had a organisation calles ISF (international snowboard federation) which ran an independent halfpipe world cup. At the same time FIS saw the potential of snowboard halfpipe and started the FIS snowboard world cup. The problem was that all the riders likes the ISF system and event the most and only second ranked riders rode the FIS world cup. Then comes the FIS/IOC sollution - include snowboard halfpipe in the olympic and make rules that say:

1. only riders on the FIS world cup can qualify for the olympic, and

2. riders competing on the ISF world cup are not allow to also compete on the FIS world cup.

This was pretty much what killed the ISF, gave FIS a few years of glory as the sole organiser of a snowboard world cup and set back the evolvement in snowboarding for many years.

Then we can fast forward time 12 years - snowboarding now have a new riders run organisation called TTR (ticket to ride) which has a slopestyle world tour and the support of the riders + there are some big independent events like Dew tour and X-Games. For all these years FIS has rejected to organise slopestyle competition and therefore once again don't have the support of the riders. But the slopestyle is becoming a new olympic disciplin and the IOC have appointed FIS to run the qualification system for this new disciplin.

So far FIS haven't organised any big slopestyle events and are now responsible of running what might be the biggest event, FIS have rejected to work together with TTR or any of the other establised snowboard events such as Dew tour and X-Games to work out the best judging system and FIS also rejects to work with these events on planning a time schedule that bennefits the riders and allow them to participate in all events - One would fear that FIS once again will plan their qualification events so that riders have to choose either to go the olympic way or the TTR way hoping to kill yet an other riders-run organisation even if this mean stopping the possitive evolvement of the sport.

So this has not happened with freestyle skiing - yet. But I can see some similarities between the skiing and snowboarding scenes with the AFP running good independent events and I hope that this can continue and FIS won't pull the same stunt here that they done with snowboarding.

"This should serve as warning for sports like freeride skiing and snowboarding, don’t let FIS monopolize your sport. FIS will bleed your sport dry of what has made it so cool" - quote Ted Ligety.
 
yeah but the the winter Olympics was traditionally skiing when it started. freeskiing is a part of skiing so as the Olympics has expanded it has been involved. the summer Olympics was originally stamina/ speed based eg running. nothing to do with any of those sports to be honest. i think its stupid all those sports such as bmx racing being included in the summer ones anyway.
 
No worries my man, we good. I appreciate the apology.

I do see the FIS history can show there willingness to fuck over one side, but in reality, the way they have approached us is really amazing. It's something the public doesn't see. I do acknowledge the possibility of it happening, but at this point I think the chances are slim and nobody should jump to conclusions. Treading carefully is what we are doing, but so far, things are going extremely well. We have all made it very clear that we like the sport the way it is and we won't have it changed.
 
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Thanks Chug for the responses!

If all of the top pro's truly care like you do (and I'm sure they do) then the olympics will be a great event for skiing! If the IOC is actually listening to the AFP like you say then congrats to everyone involved with AFP for doing what so many others have failed at!

Good luck on making the podium in Italy!

P.S. Please raise hell when the IOC/FIS inevitably proposes standardization of slope courses.
 


CHUG you are not in contact with MOST OF THE COMPETITORS so for you to say they approach US is not entirely true...
also the RULES ARE NOT THE SAME AS DEW TOUR AND X GAMES. the facts are... You don't have to pay well over 250$ for a membership fee Plus entry fees for Dew or X, you can take any drugs or chemicals you wish for dew and x. and you sure as hell can wear any clothing you want in dew or x... just to name a few
I am a competitor in FIS and I am in no shape or form included in any discussions about any ideas, rules or regulations.
In conclusion, I am in FIS for the money and if you say that you are not in it for the money than you are either in denial or straight crazy.
 
I am in contact with most of the competitors that are potential olympians, which is the topic at hand. And no offence, but you may not be involved in what's going on with the rules and regulations, but people above you are.

You do have to pay entry fees to Dew Tour for the open qualifier, invited athletes do not, nor do invited athletes at FIS World Championships. You can "sure as hell" wear whatever you want at world champs, grand prix's, and world cups, all FIS events.

Drugs, yea that's a different story. But I think the competitors will live without blessing up to Jah.

How are you in FIS for the money? This is a serious question. Are they paying you? They definitely are not paying me haha. And if they aren't paying me, how am I in denial that I'm in it for the money? X Games and dew tour victory pay outs are much larger, so I really don't understand.
 
hahaha

but seriously, them suing skiers for speaking out against them is like the catholic church wanting to burn martin luther for speaking out against their ways.

it scares me to think what they will do to freestyle skiing
 
Of all the terrible analogies I have read on this site over the years this might actually be the funniest. I am dying here.
 
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