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Mogul History
Before freestyle skiing made it into the Olympics, all the sport had going for it was snow, and athletes who loved to do crazy things on and above it.
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(Dec. 29, 2001)------
The sport - and all it's high-flying acrobatics - began during the social upheaval of the 1960's.
It took the International Ski Federation until 1979 to finally recognize freestyle as a sport.
In 1988, freestyle skiing was added as a demonstration event at the Calgary Olympics.
Then, in 1992, mogul competition made its official Olympic debut in Albertville.
Over the years, the sport has changed -- and so have the courses.
Fifteen years ago, the skier could decide where to throw "air."
Now there are two ramps, or "kickers", built into the course.
And at previous Olympics, the bumps on the moguls course were created with machines, spaced perfectly apart, creating a very rythmic, symmetrical course.
But that won't be the case in 2002.
At the Olympic venue in Deer Valley, the moguls are placed at random intervals - they are far less symmetrical, and more challenging for skiers.
