Moguls: making short, dynamic turns through a course of 'bumps' and executing two separate aerial tricks without pause.

Moguls skiing came to be recognised as an organised sport in the 60's, revolutionising the way ski events could be conducted. With music and entertaining antics,  organisers were able to create a more appealing atmosphere when compared to the way traditional alpine events were conducted. Spectators were able to view the entire course from one vantage point, which is virtually impossible with alpine race courses. These Freestyle events in the 60's were the predecessor to today's snowboarding events.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) officially recognised the sport in 1979 and due largely to its popularity mogul skiing went on to become a demonstration event at the 1988 Calgary Olympics and was added as an official medal event at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.

Moguls are created any time a high number of skiers ski a similar fall line on relatively steep terrain. The moguls or bumps become more pronounced in softer snow conditions and quite deep on steep pitches, becoming more pronounced with increased skier traffic.

With modern day competitive mogul skiing, snow cats with wenches are used to cut in the bumps. An experienced operator can create an entire 200m course in about 4-5 hours. Once the snow cat has cut the bumps in, skiers then side slip and groom the course and then shape two aerial jumps. One set of jumps at the top of the course and second set of jumps near the bottom of the course. Mogul courses must conform to a set of specific regulations.

After two or three days of practicing on the course, you end up with a very challenging mogul course and it's game on. The course is divided up into 10 equal parts with 'control gates' down the sides marking the sections. These also act as course boundaries and the competitor will be disqualified if they ski outside them.

A panel of judges score competitors using two categories, turns and air, with speed being a mathematical, objective formula, factored in. Turning accounts for 50 per cent of the final score, mogul competitors highlight their knees with crosses or bright patches so the judges can easily assess their turning technique. Aerial tricks and speed are given 25 per cent each of the final score.

Image: VANOC/COVAN

In the men's moguls, Australia's Dale Begg-Smith is the current gold medal holder. Dale sustained a season ending knee injury at the Deer Valley World Cup last January. While Dale's had time to rehab and his training is going well, it will be worth paying attention to the pre-Olympic World Cup events to see just how well he is doing. There's time for Dale to make a great return to form and the January events in the US and Canada will hopefully see Dale well and truly in the mix or leading the field.

Backing up Dale are Ramone Cooper and Sam Hall. Ramone has been wrestling with various injuries although now he's healthy and skiing great. Sam is transitioning into World Cup competition and last season even qualified for finals at a the World Championship dual moguls. If both skiers can put in solid performances making finals in these pre-Olympic World Cup events they will share a growing confidence and a momentum that will serve them well in Vancouver.

In Vancouver the moguls finals will be held under lights at Cyprus Mountain and in the grand tradition of freestyle events it is sure to be one big party.

Federation Internationale de Ski http://www.fis-ski.com/

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