freeskiing

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China Loves This Olympian. America Has Mixed Feelings

18-year-old Eileen Gu, born and raised in US, will compete for China as its best chance for gold

(Newser) - Eileen Gu "is, without debate, the most dominant woman in freeskiing," per ESPN . The 18-year-old San Francisco native is therefore the favorite to win gold in big air, halfpipe, and slopestyle freestyle skiing events at the Beijing Olympics. But if she does, those medals won't be counted...

Freeskiers Do It for the Thrills
Freeskiers Do It for the Thrills

Freeskiers Do It for the Thrills

Death-defying sport doesn't come with a big paycheck

(Newser) - Freeskiing, extreme skiing, call it what you like—just don't say it's a stable career. Freeskiers admit that their work is risky and low-paying, but skiers and fans alike indulge in the adrenaline rush of danger. "It's the same reason people watch NASCAR," said Steve Winter, who founded...

X Games Grow More Xtreme
X Games Grow More Xtreme

X Games Grow More Xtreme

Yesterday's edgiest trick is today's standard move

(Newser) - Snowboarders and freeskiers are waging a cold war, the New York Times reports, putting top competitors under constant pressure to develop next-generation tricks. At this year's Winter X Games, under way in Aspen, the stakes are higher than ever: A new event named big air calls for competitors to launch...

3 Stories