THE SPORT
Mogul Skiing
Introduction
In the United States, the 1960s were a time of revolution, of young people challenging authority and demanding change. Freestyle skiing began in that decade, when social change and freedom of expression led to new and exciting skiing techniques. Originally a mix of alpine skiing and acrobatics, the first freestyle skiing competition was held in Attitash, New Hampshire, USA, in 1966.
A relative newcomer to the Olympic Winter Games program, freestyle moguls became an Olympic medal discipline in 1992, at the Games in Albertville, France.
The ABOM Mogul Challenge first operated in 1989, on Mt Buller’s Wood Run.
What is Mogul Skiing
Athletes choose which of the three to four different lines they will ski down on the mogul course. After the start signal, they ski down a steep slope and over a series of o set large bumps (moguls) as high as 1.2 metres, spaced between three to four metres apart. There are two sets of ‘air bumps’, one near the top of the course, the other near the bottom, where the skiers are required to perform two different jumps of their own choice.
The goal is to ski down the course as fast as possible while performing the two jumps without technical errors or loss of balance. Different mogul jumps include the 360- to 1080-degree spins, loops (side flips), off axis jumps, back and front flips, and flips with twists. The jumps can incorporate different grabs or holds of the legs or skis. Going down the moguls, skiers need to keep their upper bodies facing straight down the hill while their lower body and skis are constantly turning. Maintaining snow contact with the skis is an important element.
Ski Wear
As knee control is essential, the colour of the knee pad is often different from the ski suit to draw the judges attention to the skiers expertise.
Skis
Skis are shorter than those used in Alpine Skiing and have minimal side cut.
Competition
The ABOM Mogul Challenge is a dual mogul event, which incorporates two different parts.
• Part A – Single Mogul Qualifications
• Part B – Dual Mogul Final
Part A – Single Mogul Qualifications
All competitors participate in a qualification round. Skiers are judged by a panel of five judges awarding a maximum score of 100 points. Deductions are made for errors or falls. Three judges award points for turns (60 percent of score or 60 points). The judges independently evaluate the competitors’ turns based on the use of the fall line, absorption and utilization of the bumps in turning, carving action, body position, pole plants, control and aggressiveness.
Two judges independently score the two jumps or “air” (20 percent of score of 20 points). Air is evaluated on: form, spontaneity, height, distance and landing, and multiplied by the degree of difficulty of the maneuver. The two air scores are then averaged and added to the turn points.
The remaining 20 percent of the score of 20 points is awarded for speed and calculated using a formula based on a pace time. The distance in slope is measured, from the start to the finish, and then this distance is divided by a predetermined speed measurement.
In the ABOM Mogul Challenge the top 16 men and top 8 women from qualifying then advance to the Dual Mogul final.
Part B – Dual Mogul Final
In the Dual Mogul Final, the highest ranked qualifier duals off against the lowest ranked qualifier e.g 1st vs 16th, 2nd vs 15th etc… with with the winner of each round advancing to the next round until a final result is achieved.
Five judges are used in Dual Moguls at the ABOM Mogul Challenge, with each judge having five points to allocate between the two skiers. The breakdown of judging is two judges on turns, one judge on air, one judge on speed and one judge overall impression.
In the United States, the 1960s were a time of revolution, of young people challenging authority and demanding change. Freestyle skiing began in that decade, when social change and freedom of expression led to new and exciting skiing techniques. Originally a mix of alpine skiing and acrobatics, the first freestyle skiing competition was held in Attitash, New Hampshire, USA, in 1966.
A relative newcomer to the Olympic Winter Games program, freestyle moguls became an Olympic medal discipline in 1992, at the Games in Albertville, France.
The ABOM Mogul Challenge first operated in 1989, on Mt Buller’s Wood Run.
What is Mogul Skiing
Athletes choose which of the three to four different lines they will ski down on the mogul course. After the start signal, they ski down a steep slope and over a series of o set large bumps (moguls) as high as 1.2 metres, spaced between three to four metres apart. There are two sets of ‘air bumps’, one near the top of the course, the other near the bottom, where the skiers are required to perform two different jumps of their own choice.
The goal is to ski down the course as fast as possible while performing the two jumps without technical errors or loss of balance. Different mogul jumps include the 360- to 1080-degree spins, loops (side flips), off axis jumps, back and front flips, and flips with twists. The jumps can incorporate different grabs or holds of the legs or skis. Going down the moguls, skiers need to keep their upper bodies facing straight down the hill while their lower body and skis are constantly turning. Maintaining snow contact with the skis is an important element.
Ski Wear
As knee control is essential, the colour of the knee pad is often different from the ski suit to draw the judges attention to the skiers expertise.
Skis
Skis are shorter than those used in Alpine Skiing and have minimal side cut.
Competition
The ABOM Mogul Challenge is a dual mogul event, which incorporates two different parts.
• Part A – Single Mogul Qualifications
• Part B – Dual Mogul Final
Part A – Single Mogul Qualifications
All competitors participate in a qualification round. Skiers are judged by a panel of five judges awarding a maximum score of 100 points. Deductions are made for errors or falls. Three judges award points for turns (60 percent of score or 60 points). The judges independently evaluate the competitors’ turns based on the use of the fall line, absorption and utilization of the bumps in turning, carving action, body position, pole plants, control and aggressiveness.
Two judges independently score the two jumps or “air” (20 percent of score of 20 points). Air is evaluated on: form, spontaneity, height, distance and landing, and multiplied by the degree of difficulty of the maneuver. The two air scores are then averaged and added to the turn points.
The remaining 20 percent of the score of 20 points is awarded for speed and calculated using a formula based on a pace time. The distance in slope is measured, from the start to the finish, and then this distance is divided by a predetermined speed measurement.
In the ABOM Mogul Challenge the top 16 men and top 8 women from qualifying then advance to the Dual Mogul final.
Part B – Dual Mogul Final
In the Dual Mogul Final, the highest ranked qualifier duals off against the lowest ranked qualifier e.g 1st vs 16th, 2nd vs 15th etc… with with the winner of each round advancing to the next round until a final result is achieved.
Five judges are used in Dual Moguls at the ABOM Mogul Challenge, with each judge having five points to allocate between the two skiers. The breakdown of judging is two judges on turns, one judge on air, one judge on speed and one judge overall impression.
