US "Open"

[*DrewT*]

So I was looking through the article on us open qualifiers and didn't see my buddy David Wise and was wondering what could have happened that he didn't make it through. Then I thought hey maybee he's prequalified he did win Aspen Open after all. So I search for the list of prequalified athletes and I find a list of 23 men (David Wise included fortunately) that have already been qualified. I couldn't help but notice only 15 guys from the qualifier made it through to semi finals...........

I can't seem to grasp the concept of how they can call this an "open" event with more prequalified athletes in the semi-finals than kids who registered hoping to get their big chance. Now I realize some of the guys like Tanner Hall aren't gonna show up but that's besides the point. World Skiing INVITATIONAL has a format very similar to this yet this is the US OPEN.

 

[tride]

Anyone can enter, and if they ski good enough, anyone can make finals, and can win, so it is an "open" in every sense.

 

[quebecfreestyler]

it's an open competition as in anyone can enter and try to win it.

and it's becoming more of a joke every year.