Deer Valley World Cup skiing — Ski cross skiers to watch

DEER VALLEY — Ski cross isn't difficult to figure out. The first skier across the finish is the winner, just like in auto racing.

Which is one reason it was selected as a new addition to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. And why, in the selection process, the International Olympic Committee said it was chosen "because of strong appeal for the younger generation."

The race this Friday and Saturday at Deer Valley won't be the first ski cross in North America, but it will be the first World Cup event on this continent. And it will draw a strong contingent of competitors from around the world for that reason.

Ski cross is a race involving four skiers racing down a course comprised of jumps, turns, banks, hits, rollers and natural terrain features, with the first to cross the finish line being declared the winner.

Winners then go on to face other winners until there is a champion.

It is said this type of racing dates back to the early 1990s. Somewhere in the mid-1990s it was introduced into the X Games, where it drew worldwide attention.

Since that time, remembered Tyler Shepherd, former alpine racer turned ski cross competitor and now new ski-cross coach for the U.S. Ski Team, the event has progressed.

"Every year we see something a little different, a little more difficult. Now the (International Ski Federation) is involved we're seeing even more changes, and I'm sure we will see more before the Olympics," he added.

Most of the top ski cross competitors are former alpine racers from their respective countries. Many have been on the pro ski cross tour and earning good money.

Shepherd thinks that may change and more of the top competitors will start to ski World Cup with the Olympics scheduled in two years.

He expects to nominate a U.S. ski cross team this spring. Right now U.S. competitors are running as independents. Among them are Casey Puckett, Daron Rahlves and Jacob Fiala, all former members of the U.S. alpine ski team.

Thus far all of the WC events have been held in Europe. Courses there have not always been the best, said Shepherd.

"Here, (in the U.S.) we have a good course builder who has learned from his mistakes; learned how to build a good course. Over (in Europe), it's a crapshoot on whether or not you end up with a good course because it's not always the same builder," he added.

A good course is one that is similar to a motocross course in that it allows the racer to speed up, slow down, then speed up and slow down from start to finish.

"You don't want to go super fast because it makes it very difficult to pass. Skiers don't have a throttle to accelerate. There has to be places where a skier can pass and still be safe. When you get four people on a course, racing, anything can happen."

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