Ok, there are a lot of idiots posting in this thread so I'll do my best to try to set things right by imputing my personal and hopefully reasonable thoughts on the matter:
AGE
Look at other sports and see that people with the age of 20 and under are considered young guns. In reality this is very true because it is a young age to be had. I think people are setting the standards for the term "young gun" very low (ages 15 even!) because they are focusing so much on the young prodigy atheletes in our sport such as Derek Spong, TJ Shiller, Sammy Carlson... etc. Personally the people entering should use their own discretion if their age is the right age to be entering. I'm 18 and I'll be entering because 1. I think 18 is still very young to be pro, and 2. I just want to have a good time at a resort I never have the pleasure of going to. Reall the number 2 reason is why many others enter so why bitch about their ages when they're just out there having fun in an actual ski comp. that's getting a lot of press in the ski world.
SPONSORED RIDERS
I think it was best said in a previous post that the AMs with flow sponsorships (Matt Walker, Lil' John) deserve to win because they went through, as far as we know, a lot of crap; training, injuries, risks, dedication and good decisions to get where they are and really in the end they do deserve it because really they are trying to do what we all are doing and that is becoming pro by winning comps. Now people are going to disagree and say that there are people out there that are out there with no sponsorships and that are really good but won't have the opportunity to shine because all these sponsored AMs are comming in... well if this unsponsored nobody was as amazing to be a pro, let that person come to the YGO and show that he/she wants it and has the ability to get it. Otherwise, go through the process the ones before you have done and get basic shop sponsorships and work your way up from there.
Ok, I said my piece, now I'll steal Matt Walker's by saying, stop bitching and go out and earn your spot in the ski industry through WORK and PRACTICE.