Big air and team SBX proposed for 2018 Olympics

Torstein Horgmo would definitely benefit from Olympic Big Air. Photo: Tim Peare Torstein Horgmo would definitely benefit from Olympic Big Air. Photo: Tim Peare

Despite all of the controversy that surrounded the addition of slopestyle to Sochi 2014, there is little doubt that the discipline’s inclusion to the games was a great thing for snowboarding. It is vital that the general public has a encompassing understanding of what is included in the sport, and therefore necessary to give big air and team SBX an opportunity for representation at the Olympic Games. The United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) has proposed to the International Ski Federation (FIS) that each event be added to the list of snowboard disciplines for the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics — that’s South Korea, by the way. USSA hopes the success of slopestyle in Sochi will help push the FIS to come to the right decision, which the Snowboard Committee of the organization is already in favor of. Bottom line, each of these events will provide a boost to the viewership of the 2018 Olympics and they need to be included to encourage the growth of snowboarding. Let’s just hope the FIS has the vision to realize that.

Here’s what slopestyle Gold-Medalist Sage Kotsenburg had to say about it:
As we have all seen with the addition of halfpipe into the Olympics, it became a viewer favorite. When slopestyle was added, it was also one of the favorites with the third most streams of the entire games and one of the most watched sports. With big air, it would bring even more snowboarding to the world and, if we do it right it, would benefit snowboarding and the Olympics.

The FIS will be making its decision between now and June 6, here is the formal proposal from USSA to the FIS Congress:
The inclusion of snowboarding has provided FIS and its National Ski and Snowboard Associations with a youth-oriented, innovative platform which has led to exciting new Olympic events, attracted new competitors and inspired new participants, and provided valuable new opportunities for sponsors, organizers, and media partners. It has also delivered high numbers of spectators and TV viewers – particularly at the Olympic Games – and has provided strong exposure to winter sports to a young audience.

Snowboarding defines itself through progression, and FIS has been a leader in establishing the most progressive events in its World Championships and, ultimately, the Olympic Games. This has added to the FIS brand, and established it as an innovative, youth-oriented international federation, which has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee as well as the media in the mission to adapt the Olympic program to be relevant to today’s youth and markets.

Snowboarding continues to progress, with events like big air and team SBX, which have been well- received by athletes, organizers, spectators and media. Team SBX has provided a true national team event, which is lacking in the sport at the Olympic level. And Big Air has been a spectacular centerpiece to the World Championship since 2003.

We respectfully request that FIS continue to foster the progression of snowboarding, and formally request to the International Olympic Committee the inclusion of snowboarding’s most relevant events in terms of youth, media, broadcast, commercial and spectator interest into the Olympic Games.

Comments

Up Next

May 20, 2023

Register for Beyond the Boundaries Week at High Cascade Snowboard Camp – June 18-24, 2023

Beyond the Boundaries Women’s Snowboard Camp is making the seasonal trip to the glacier for a week at summer...

April 6, 2023

Snowbird’s been Interlodged for Five Days as UDOT and Ski Patrol Perform Avalanche Work

Following an in-bounds avalanche on Mount Superior, the Interlodge was put back in place today.

March 30, 2023

Everybody’s Invited! The Uninvited x Beyond the Boundaries Women’s Ride Day at Boreal

Jess Kimura been working on something magical for this spring. Building on the momentum of The Uninvited trilogy, on...

March 23, 2023

East Street Archives’ East Coast Reunion Homesick is This Weekend at Stratton

Starting on Friday, March 24th, Stratton Mountain in Southern Vermont is the site of the kind of gathering the...

March 13, 2023

Burton Releases MINE77 x Underberg Collection

Jake's favorite herbal aperitif on special collection to honor his love of good times in the mountains.

March 11, 2023

There’s Nowhere Else to Put the Snow, But It Just Keeps Dumping

Life in Mammoth Lakes this winter has plenty of powder days, but the constant storms are a challenge that...

March 8, 2023

A Day for Jake – Go Snowboarding on March 11, 2023

Saturday, March 11, 2023, celebrate the life and legacy of Jake Burton Carpenter by heading to the mountains and...