Female ski jumpers lose 2010 Olympic battle

We’ve written a lot over the past year about the battle waged by 15 former and current women ski jumpers who have argued about their right to participate in the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

For some background, check out these posts:

Stand with women ski jumpers
Female jumpers sue for Olympic dream
Female ski-jumpers can’t compete in 2010 Olympics

So today, after months of arguments, presentations, protestations and support comes word from the Supreme Court of B.C. that female ski jumpers WILL NOT be competing in the 2010 Olympic Games.

The group went to court in April to argue their exclusion from the Vancouver Games violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

They wanted a court declaration that the Vancouver organizing committee, known as VANOC, must either hold women’s ski jumping in 2010 or cancel all ski jumping events.

VANOC argued that the International Olympic Committee decides which sports are allowed in the Games, and that the charter doesn’t apply to the IOC.

For its part, the IOC had insisted that its decision to keep women’s ski jumping out of the Vancouver Games was based on technical merit, not discrimination.

“The IOC would like to stress again the decision not to include women’s ski jumping has been taken purely on technical merit,” Emmanuelle Moreau, the IOC’s media relations manager, said in an email to The Canadian Press in November 2008. “Any reference to the fact that this is a matter about gender equality is totally inappropriate and misleading.”

In order to be considered for inclusion in an Olympic Games, the IOC said a sport must have held at least two world championships. The first women’s ski jumping world championships will be held next year in Liberec, Czech Republic.

Reasons for judgment
In its reasons for judgment, the court sided with VANOC in that the issue is an IOC responsibility. And while women are being discriminated against, the court said, the responsibility was the IOC’s, not VANOC’s.

The judge also sided with VANOC in its argument that it is not a government entity, and therefore the charter does not apply.

In 2008, Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, said because there are so few female ski jumpers in the world, including them in the Games would dilute the medals being handed out to other athletes.

Supporters of women’s ski jumping argue there are 135 female ski jumpers in 16 countries. This compares with other sports already in the Games, including snowboard cross, which has 34 women from 10 countries, skier cross, which has 30 women from 11 nations, and bobsled, which has 26 women from 13 nations.

They also say the women’s marathon was added to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles after a single world championship in 1983.

While not unexpected, the decision is disappointing on so many levels. My condolences to the ladies who were hoping, and who rightfully deserved, to compete.

Now is the time for the Jacques Rogge and the IOC to step in and right this wrong.

State of Vermont hopes to make snowboarding an official sport

The state flower of Vermont is the red clover. The sugar maple is the official tree of the Green Mountain State. And within the next year, several legislators hope to make snowboarding the official sport of Vermont.

How awesome would it be if every state had its own official sport and one day out of the year was designated a state holiday just for that sport.  Hawaii could claim surfing while Californians take a day for kiteboarding. The official sport in Idaho could be cow-tipping. Florida might make swimming the official sport. Rhode Island could adopt sailing.

The bill currently sitting in the Vermont legislature cites the importance snowboarding plays in the economic and historical well-being of the state.

Colorado has skiing and snowboarding as its state sports and some Vermont legislators would like to see the dual sports designated as official sports in their state. With competing pieces of legislation sitting in committee, lawmakers do not expect to tackle the state sport issue until the 2010 session.

Both options make sense since skiing and snowboarding have a long history in Vermont:

In 1934, the country’s first ski area opened outside of Woodstock when the first rope tow ski lift was installed, leading to the nation’s first ski race on Mount Mansfield the same year.

Four years later, C. Minot Dole founded the National Ski Patrol in Vermont, using his model to convince the U.S. Army to activate a division of soldiers on skis.

The Suicide Six Resort in Pomfret was the first American resort to allow snowboarding in 1982. Vermont was also the first state to host a snowboard park.

Additionally, Vermont resident Jake Burton Carpenter founded the first snowboard company in 1977 and perfected the technology to build the boards.

A number of Vermonters have excelled in the Winter Olympic games as well, from skier Barbara Ann’s gold medal in 1972 to the first-place snowboarding victories by Hannah Teter, Ross Powers and West Dover’s Kelly Clark.

While we wait to see what happens in Vermont, what do you think should be the official sport in your state?

Looking Ahead: Vancouver One Year Out

While winter sport competition pushes on around the world,  athletes look one year ahead to a competition that represents the completion of goals met and dreams reached for athletes everywhere – the Olympics.

On Feb. 12, 2010, the opening ceremonies will commence two weeks of competition on the world’s stage from Vancouver, where battles will be won and lost, but everyone will walk away an Olympian.

With one year to go, three-time Olympic medalist Angela Ruggiero appeared on the Today Show this morning to coach host Meredith Vieira on the ice at Rockefeller Center.  Ruggiero is currently part of a women’s residency program established by USA Hockey in Minn., for post-NCAA players. There, she is training with the 2008-09 U.S. Women’s Select Team in hopes of making her fourth Olympic appearance in 2010.

Today Show Video

The year-out date finds top U.S. athletes competing from Vancouver to Moscow, battling for this year’s World Cup titles, but thinking, too, about Olympic medals 12 months from now.

A few of the top U.S. ski and snowboard contenders took time from their global competition travels this week to tell their story a year out from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games – where are they now and where will they be a year from now at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
 
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Winter X 13 Results – Women’s Ski Snowboard

It was lucky 13 for these ladies:

Women’s SNB X: Lindsey Jacobellis ran away with her second straight snowboarder X crown, no one even near her at the finish. In a light snow, she streaked to a 25-yard victory with Helene Olafsen taking second and Sandra Frei finishing third.

Women’s SNB: Slopestyle: A jubilant Jenny Jones could hardly believe what she had just accomplished in the Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle. The pride of Great Britain trailed Spencer O’Brien going into the final run and knew she had to do something big to steal the top spot. And Jones did just that, sticking a front-side 720 off the money booter final ramp to steal the victory and the gold medal from O’Brien, 90.00 to 87.66.

Slopestyle SNB Official Results  – Jan. 24, 2009
1. Jenny Jones  Bristol, Great Britain 90.00
2. Spencer O’Brien  Whistler, B.C., Canada 87.66
3. Megan Ginter  Seattle, Wash. 82.00

Women’s Slopestyle Ski: Anna Segal led off the Women’s Slopestyle Skiing contest Saturday at Winter X Games 13 in Aspen with a score of 85.00. Little did she know at the time, but that would be the best score of the day as she battled the course and the elements taking the gold in the inaugural event.  In the same event, Sarah Burke came up short on her landing during the last jump and was whisked to an awaiting ambulance. Diagnosis: Compression fracture to part of her lower back.

Slopestyle Ski Official Results  – Jan. 24, 2009
1. Anna Segal  Melbourne, Australia 85.00
2. Grete Eliassen Salt Lake City, Utah 79.00
3. Kaya Turski Montreal, QB, Canada 70.00

Women’s SNB Superpipe: Throughout Winter X 13, the Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe belonged to Australian rider Torah Bright.  In the elimination round Bright set a Winter X Games scoring record of 97.66, and although she was not able to equal that mark, her score of 91.33, which reflected an awesome McTwist, was enough to secure her the gold medal on Friday over silver medalist Kelly Clark. It was the second X Games gold of Bright’s career, following silver in 2008. Last year’s winner, Aspen native Gretchen Bleiler, had to withdraw from the competition after falling hard in her second of three runs.

SNB Superpipe Official Results -  Jan. 23, 2009
1. Torah Bright  Cooma, Australia 91.33
2. Kelly Clark  Mount Snow, Vt. 88.33
3. Hannah Teter  Belmont, Vt. 83.00

Women’s Ski Superpipe: A wet, heavy snow fell throughout the day Friday on Buttermilk Mountain, slowing down most of the SuperPipe competitors, but not Sarah Burke as she grabbed her third consecutive gold medal in the Women’s Skiing SuperPipe final at Winter X Games 13.

Ski Superpipe Official Results  – January 23, 2009
1. Sarah Burke  Whistler, BC, Canada 93.33
2. Jen Hudak  Aspen, Colo. 92.66
3. Jess Cumming  Wilton, Conn. 84.00

Learn to Ski or Snowboard for free in January

December 17, 2008 – Got a friend that wants to learn to ski or ride? Maybe it’s you that wants to venture out and learn the sport of skiing and riding! Either way, grab a friend and take advantage of discounted or FREE actitives.

Start the New Year resolving to ski or ride because January is Learn a Snow Sport Month at many alpine resorts, Nordic centers, state and national parks all over the U.S. Sample deals include:

New York: Starting January 5 and available all month (except MLK weekend 1/17-1/19), you can learn to ski or ride for free or at a 50% discount depending on the resort you choose.  Think of it: you get a beginners package which includes a beginners lift pass, rental ski or board package and a professional lesson (resort participation varies).

Utah: Utah’s 13 alpine resorts have put together special learn to ski and snowboard packages for Utah residents that are fun and affordable. Lucky 13

Vermont: As the holidays draw closer in the Green Mountains, Ski Vermont has announced that its member ski resorts will offer first-time skiers and riders free lessons, rentals and limited access lift tickets from January 4-11, 2009.

Earlier we linked to a promotion for fourth graders who wanted free mountain time. January’s Learn a Snow Sport program allows skiers and riders of any age to partake. Yoohoo!

And for just as much fun without the adrenaline, on January 10, 2009, the 14th annual Winter Trails, an event organized by SnowSports Industries of America, offers free snowshoeing and/or cross country skiing for those new to snow sports. Venues and information on Winter Trails can be found at Wintertrails.org.

Sea & Ski

December 4, 2008 -From snow covered mountains to tropical beaches girls are ripping everywhere. Here are some links to what’s happening in the surf and snow…

Surfing: “Do women belong in the kitchen or the barrel?” Jessi Miley-Dyer writes in Surfline. It’s a question she asked herself on a recent girly girl surfari in Mirconesia. The Aussie ripper teams up with fierce friends Stephanie Gilmore, Karina Petroni, mom-to-be Chelsea Georges, Nicola Atherton and Leilana Gryde to explore the tropical paradise, get some sick shots and shoot down old-school cliches… (kind of an old link but have been meaning to post it for a while)

Skiing: The Women’s World Cup hits Lake Louise this weekend and defending World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn posted the fastest time in Wednesday’s first training run for the opening women’s downhill race of the season. The downhill races at Lake Louise are scheduled for Friday and Saturday and the season’s first World Cup super-giant slalom is set for Sunday. Last season, Vonn became the first American in 25 years to win the overall World Cup title and the first in more than a decade to win the downhill.

December snow events = fun, fun, fun

December 1, 2008 – Looking for something to do this month? Snow is falling across North America, and slopes are opening from East to West so we found some wintery events that sound like fun (though sadly we won’t be attending any of them).

Down-Mountain and Cross-Country: 140 Years of Skiing in Maine Dec. 1 – Maine’s skiing history goes back farther than any other New England state and a digital slideshow produced by the Ski Museum of Maine backs up that claim. The show will be presented Monday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m.

Celebrity Skifest Dec. 5 – 8: Deer Valley is kicking off the ski season with Celebrity Skifest . The invitational ski event pairs former Olympic ski legends with television and film celebrities for a weekend of skiing, live music and fundraising for the environmental group Waterkeeper Alliance, which supports and empowers member organizations to protect communities, ecosystems and water quality.

The DV Celebrity Skifest will include giant slalom races on the ski resort’s Birdseye run, and the public is invited to watch as some of the best-known legends of U.S. skiing compete in this year’s event, including Deer Valley’s own Ambassador of Skiing, three-time Olympian Heidi Voelker. Celebrities scheduled to attend include Larry David, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Matthew Modine, Scott Wolf, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Gloria Rueben, Ian Ziering,  Rob Morrow, Patrick Warburton, Neil Patrick Harris, Dylan Bruno, and Camyrn Manheim. The Skifest Race will be televised by CBS on Sunday, December 21st following NFL Football.

Free skiing at Hidden Valley Dec. 6-7: With 20 inches of snowfall so far this season and ideal snowmaking weather, Pennsylvania’s Hidden Valley ski and snowboard resort in the Laurel Highlands near Pittsburgh is open for skiing and riding with free lift tickets Dec. 6 – 7.  In addition to the free skiing, Wintersports U, the resort’s new snowsports school, will offer 90 minute group ski or snowboard lessons at no charge to guests age seven and older through December 19th.

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Iranian women skiers to participate in Olympics

October 23, 2008 – Iran’s women skiers will take part in the winter Olympic for the first time, the Mehr News Agency (MNA) reported.

Iranian women will participate in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. They took part in the ski on grass held in Tehran and Lebanon’s Asian junior championship both last year, snatching gold and silver medals, said the president of the Iranian Ski Federation.

Iran had two ski coaches after Iran’s revolution but 500 coaches work in the country at the present, Isa Saveh Shemshaki added.

It may be uphill for the skiers from Iran, who aren’t as well known as other international competitors.  But skiing is a popular sport in Iran and there are some great resorts near Tehran where skiers can train.

Situated in the Alborz mountain range near the peak of Damavand (a giant dormant volcano), the Dizin ski resort is Iran’s highest in altitude. Coming in at almost 14,000 feet Dizin is currently the largest ski resort in the Middle East. Shemshak is the host to the nation’s hardest and the steepest slopes

Until recently, ski slopes were segregated, with women skiing on one side and men the other.  It is still illegal for men and women to ride a lift together or share a gondola.  And of course women must remain covered which shouldn’t be much of a problem on the slopes. 

The announcement that women skiers will participate in the Olymics is good news and definitely a step in the right direction. Bring it on girls.

FYI: If you’re interested in learning more about how Muslim women are taking up sports, check out this paper on Islam and Women’s Sports.

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010.

The Gear Junkie’s Adventure Sweepstakes

October 15, 2008 – Armchair travelers, weekend warriors and everybody who’s ever picked up a copy of Outside magazine and said to themselves, “My life is so lame.”, should enter the Choose Your Adventure Sweepstakes.

Hosted by Gear Junkie, a site devoted to the outdoors, health, fitness, adventure travel, and all the gear and equipment associated with those pursuits and written by freelance journalist Stephen Regenold, the sweepstakes offers a bevy of great prizes.

Not only does the winner get to pick from a list of REI Adventures including a Mount Washington Winter Climb, Sequoia Winter Mountaineering Clinic, Yosemite Snowshoe Trip, Ice Climbing Basics in New Hampshire or a White Mountains Hut-to-Hut Snowshoe  but they’re outfitted from head to toe with new gear.

Just because one of the sponsors is LazyMan (tagline — “Earn your Lazy” ) doesn’t mean gals can’t enter (at least I don’t think that’s the case). Twenty-one years or older; deadline is Dec. 17th. Check out the Link!

Craigieburn: A New Zealand Adventure

by Chantelle Heroux
October 1, 2008 – Sometimes you just have to trust yourself.

If I hadn’t, I would’ve missed out on one of my greatest experiences in New Zealand.

Going with what your heart says isn’t always easy. In fact, most of the time it’s illogical in every sense. But there is a saying that goes, “it’s better to regret something you’ve done, than regret something you didn’t do.” With that in mind, it’s easier to let loose and start an adventure – and that is exactly what I did.

First, I had to convince myself I made the right decision to rent a car that had over 200,000 kilometers on it and a funny rattle that you could hear over the ‘Hit’s of 1997′ mixtape included with the vehicle (I know what you’re thinking – 1997 – there were no hits in 1997.  Actually, there was a whole tape full of them – think Hanson!). 

Amazingly enough, I made it to where I needed to go. It only took an hour to find out the emergency brake was on (may or may not have contributed to the funny rattle), about seven hours to figure out how to drive on the opposite side of the road, and a couple of wombats’ lives (were they wombats?!). Needless to say, I made it. Gratefully.

Arriving at the bottom of an access road in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, it was recommended that all two wheel drive vehicles and camper-vans park and drivers-passengers hitchhike up the mountain. So that’s what I did. I was glad to get in a car with a group of friendly skiers. I buckled my seatbelt, only to have the driver look at me in shock and say “Umm, you won’t want your seatbelt on. If I say bail, you’ll want to bail!”

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