IOC ADDS SLOPESTYLE SKIING, SNOWBOARDING PLUS SNOWBOARDING PSL

DURBAN, South Africa (July 4) - The International Olympic committee announced Monday evening that slopestyle skiing and snowboarding would make their Olympic debut at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. Snowboarding parallel slalom was also added, while the proposed alpine team event was not. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association played a key role in working together with the International Ski Federation on slopestyle, including support in producing the debut World Championship last February at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort. The announcement was made following an IOC Executive Board meeting in Durban, South Africa.

Details of IOC Decision
http://www.olympic.org/media?articlenewsgroup=-1&articleid=133067

KEY POINTS
•    Freeskiing event of slopestyle skiing added to the Olympics for 2014
•    Other freeskiing event of halfpipe skiing previously added for 2014 in April, 2011; skicross made its debut in 2010
•    Slopestyle snowboarding added to the Olympics for 2014
•    Snowboarding made its original Olympic debut in 1998 (halfpipe, GS); snowboardcross was added in 2006
•    The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association played a key role with the International Ski Federation in pushing the addition of slopestyle skiing and snowboarding
•    The USSA played a key role in support of the debut of slopestyle skiing at the FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort this past February
•    Snowboarding parallel slalom was also added for 2014; parallel giant slalom has been in the Olympics since 1998 (original giant slalom, changed to PGS in 2002)
•    Skiing and snowboarding Olympic events under International Ski Federation now represent 50% of Winter Olympic events.
•    The proposed alpine team event was not accepted for 2014

Reaction from GB Ski Cross Manager, Ian Findlay: "Its fantastic to have slopestyle as part of the Olympic family. Freestyle skiing now offers 5 events for men and women and a total of 30 medals. GB has real talent in slopestyle as we do throughout snowsports. It only takes 1 medal to make a real difference!"

Reaction around the world:
Slopestyle inclusion a shocker for practitioners Vancouver Sun
A reaction to the IOC's decision to include ski slopestyle in the 2014 Olympics ESPN
NEW EVENTS A BOOST FOR BRITISH HOPES Sportinglife.com
From the BOA and BSS - nothing yet!