Winter Olympics preview: Snowboarding
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History
After debuting at the Nagano Games in 1998, snowboarding has grown, not just in terms of popularity worldwide, but also in medal events at the Olympics. 16 years ago, there were only four snowboarding events, two for men and two for women. This year in Sochi, there will be 10 medal events in total, five per gender.
Events (10)
Men’s and women’s Slopestyle, Halfpipe, Snowboard Cross, Parallel Slalom, and Parallel Giant Slalom.
Venue: Rosa Khutor X-treme Park
With construction completed in 2012, the 6,250 seat facility (for snowboarding) located in Krasnaya Polyana boasts excellent snow cover to go along with the space to design special courses for the slalom, giant slalom, halfpipe and the new slopestyle events. However, there have been some complaints that the slopestyle course is too dangerous, prompting Shaun White to pull out of the event.
The Top Story
Shaun White. Shaun White. Shaun White. Shaun White. Shaun White took a deep breath. Shaun White scratched his head. Shaun White grimaced. Shaun White smiled. Shaun White exhaled. Shaun White will win gold in halfpipe.
But also ...
Chloe Kim would be a certain medal hopeful for the United States in Sochi if it wasn't for one problem: She’s 13-years-old, and as such, ineligible to compete at the Winter Olympics. In the lead up to qualifying, the eighth grader finished second in back-to-back halfpipe events to three-time Olympian Kelly Clark, and finished third behind 2010 gold medalist Torah Bright and Clark in a previous event. 13! In four years, when the Olympics come to Pyeongchang, South Korea, she will still only be 17-years-old.
Five Names To Remember
Shaun White (USA) - Halfpipe: Obviously. Is there another face more associated with winter sports let alone snowboarding? He’s pretty much got the halfpipe already won, and a legend that continues to grow.
Kelly Clark (USA) - Halfpipe: There’s a lot of competition on the women’s side of her event, but two Olympic podiums and seven Winter X-Games medals makes it foolish to bet against the FIS World Cup veteran.
Dominique Maltais (Canada) - Snowboard Cross: Failing to qualify for the finals at the 2010 Olympics will never be easy to forget, but a gold at the Winter X-Games in 2012 coupled with a strong showing in 2014 would certainly help.
Alex Pullin (Australia) - Snowboard Cross: Redemption will be sought by this fixture on the FIS World Cup circuit who failed to qualify in Vancouver, but has consistently put up great results on tour.
Andreas Prommegger (Austria) - Parallel Slalom: The leader of a strong Austrian contingent, Prommegger won the Olympic parallel giant slalom test which was staged in Sochi last February.
Three Terms You Need To Know
Double Cork: A flip that starts on one axis and then changes to another in the second flip, the snowboarder’s body contorts like a corkscrew in the air. A triple cork just adds yet another axis to the flip.
Frontside/Backside: When turning on snow, frontside refers to a toeside turn, while backside refers to a heelside turn. In the air, backside means that you turn the front of your body into the rotation first and frontside means you turn your back into the rotation first. Confused? Good.
Jib: An object or obstacle used by a snowboarder to jump on or over; also used as a verb, to jib is the act of jumping up or over an object or obstacle on a snowboard.
Previews for each individual event below.