From Deseret News archives:
Deer Valley World Cup skiing Ski cross skiers to watch
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.
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.
Recent comments
Wow I didn't know there were such talented skiers in the field....
zxr | Feb. 1, 2008 at 11:48 a.m.
this ski cross event sounds like one wild rodeo. yee-haw! anything...
Kathe's guy | Jan. 31, 2008 at 10:23 p.m.
I was at DV today and saw the course from the nearby lift... it looks...
UtahSnowRulz | Jan. 31, 2008 at 3:12 p.m.
- Sports on the air 1:21 a.m.
- 2009 MLS Cup recap 12:45 a.m.
- MLS Cup winners, MVPs 12:41 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 12:36 a.m.
- Paper circulation worse than it looks 12:28 a.m.
- RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks 12:22 a.m.
- Editorial: Cancer screening 12:15 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:15 a.m.
- Treat teachers with respect, trust 12:15 a.m.
- 'Reform' helps old, hurts young 12:15 a.m.
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
202 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
191 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
130 - BYU records with win
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
That game was amazing! I think this will really help the sport grow in Utah....
Congrats on a great win. Utah as a whole should be proud not just of a major...
Congrats Real Salt Lake! but, they aren't the first major sports team to...
I told ALL of you how much i liked NED Pure irony his contributions vs x...
this is to NevadaUTE @ 10:25!!! I love soccer, I love Real and it brought a...
wow!!! amazing. UTAH JAZZ DO SOMETHING!!!
So much fear and anger from Beck lovers. You all lost the last election, we...
This is the most emotion I have had watching a sporting event since my...
Nicky Rimando is my hero! I love that guy. He has had his detractors, but...
Two stars means nothing! We played as a team and it showed! I'm still in...


