Translated by Wordport from Xywrite-III Document FKL.TXT
FREESTYLE SKIING International Federation: Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) Countries Affiliated: 120 (November 2013) Year of Formation: 1924 First Year of Olympic Appearance: 1992 Olympic History: Freestyle skiing is a newer discipline within the sport of skiing. It has roots in Scandinavia, similar to all skiing disciplines, but its primary development occurred in North America. In the 1930s Norwegian skiiers used ski acrobatics in training for cross-country and alpine competitions. It was considered an acceptable part of training but not a true competitive sport. In the United States, freestyle skiing developed as a part of professional ski exhibitions early in the 20th century. Standardized competitions began in the 1960s with the first freestyle skiing event taking place in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire in 1966. The first professional competitions were held in 1971 and the World Cup freestyle tour began in 1980. In 1979, the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) recognized freestyle skiing as an amateur sport. The first World Championships were contested in 1986 in Tignes, France. There are multiple different events in freestyle skiing – moguls, aeriels, halfpipe, slopestyle, and skiier-cross. A combined event has also been contested at the World Championships, and ballet used to be a popular freestyle event, but less so in the 2010s. Freestyle skiing was contested as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, with competition for men and women in all three events. Freestyle became an Olympic medal sport beginning in 1992 at Albertville. The only event at Albertville was moguls, but aeriels were added in 1994. In 2010 a new event was added, termed skiier-cross, similar to the boardercross event in snowboarding.
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