Women's Aerials Olympic Preview
Posted 7/6/2009
Aerial skiing is often referred to as freestyle skiing, and it allows women athletes to show off their skills.
It became a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympics and was finally added to the official program back in 1994.
The sport began back in the 1930's as trickskiing began to catch on among Norwegians. The tricks later became known as 'hotdogging.'
Athletes nowadays jump off a long, steep ramp built of either metal or wood and covered in snow.
The ramp often propels the skiers 50 feet into the air, which obviously makes the sport a little dangerous.
They then fly through the air while doing various tricks before having to stick a landing on a steep hill.
The athletes are judged based on their takeoff, form and landing.