Peter Velisek

Home Resort- Whitewater, Nelson BC Canada

Freeski Competition Results-
1st 2005 Molson Canadian Freeskiing Challenge
3rd 2004 Molson Canadian Freeskiing Challenge
1st 2004 Lake Louise Big Mountain Challenge
2nd 2003 Fernie Freeskiing Competition

Sponsors- Movement Skis, Hestra Gloves, Peak Performance, Smith Optics, Komperdell Poles, Deuter Packs, Diamir, Coltex Skins

BL- What is your skiing history?
I grew up skiing here in Whitewater and raced extensively in slalom and giant slalom. A few years ago I moved on and am now competing in freeskiing which allows me to be expressive and creative with my skiing.

BL- 2 seasons ago you hurt your knee quite seriously. What happened and how is it?
Inspecting the venue at Snowbird before the freeski comp I crashed and tore my ACL, partially tore my MCL and meniscus. I had surgery last year and spent the summer rehabilitating my knee. Third day back last season though I tore some more meniscus that we didn’t pick up in the first surgery so I wasn’t been able to ski 100% and compete.

BL- Although you’ve been on the competition sideline, it hasn’t stopped you participating in comps in another capacity.
Yeah. I’m on the other side of the panel this year judging. It’s been good considering I can’t be out there charging because it gives me a better understanding of what it takes to win comps and what the judges are looking for. Plus I still get to party. (laughs)

BL- As a judge, what are the criteria for scoring a freeski comp?
Competitors are judged on 5 different criteria; Line Choice, Control, Fluidity, Technique, and Aggressiveness. Each criterion is marked out of 10 for a total possible score of 50. Five judges score each skier and then an average from all 5 judges determines the competitor’s final score.

BL- How do you determine a Line score?
The morning of the comp, the judges will inspect the venue and snow conditions and determine the easiest line down the mountain and assign a score to it. From there they will draw a map of the venue and place a value on different terrain features such as cliffs or technical rocky sections. Because the competitors can choose any line down the mountain it is impossible to predetermine a score for every conceivable line. We score line choice on the degree of difficulty and creativity.
Line score is important because you cannot score more than 2 marks higher than your line score in any of the other criteria. Therefore, even if you choose an easy line with a low line score of say, 2 and ski it very well, you can’t score more than a total of 18. A bonus point in a category can be given, however, if the skier absolutely impresses the judges.

BL- What is involved in Control?
The biggest thing that impacts on a competitors score for control is crashing. Crashing or falling is skiing out of control. If someone skis balanced from top to bottom, in control of their speed and any airs they hit, generally speaking there is no reason why they can’t score maximum marks (that is Line score _ 2). On the other hand, if someone skis slowly they might have great control, but will not score highly in other criteria.

BL- What is the definition of a fall or crashing? A lot of times you see competitors take big airs and back slap or not land them smoothly, but continue skiing. What is a judge’s view of this?
A fall is if the skier comes to a stop not standing on their skis or, for example tumbling or spinning before continuing skiing. It is pretty obvious, but things like putting a hand down, hip-checking or back slapping are things you need to look out for. These things compromise control. While surviving on big airs demonstrates aggressive skiing, the people that can stomp and ski out clean will also score high on control.

BL- Explain Fluidity.
Are you in constant motion? That is best way to explain fluidity. Stopping, or hesitating will compromise fluidity. It is fine to hesitate to check out something big or really technical, but the person confident enough to ski straight into it will score higher. Also, you don’t necessarily have to ski fast to score well. So long as the skier is moving towards a goal like traversing to reach a feature for example, their score won’t be hurt.

BL- How do the judges determine a Technique score?
Everyone has a different style, but ultimately it comes down to whether the skis are carving or sliding through turns. Someone skiing a line making turns with a calm upper body will score better for technique than someone skiing wild. At the Lake Louise Comp I just judged, one competitor side-slipped down through this steep rocky section, while another skier made jump turns. The second skier scored higher because it required more technique to make turns and was it a risk to do so.
Tricks are another thing that come into technique. If you can do tricks and ski out clean you are demonstrating another technical aspect.

BL- Aggressiveness is the real crowd pleaser; hucking big air and skiing fast, but how do you quantify it?
Aggressiveness is about attacking the mountain and skiing with energy. You can see the difference between someone skiing confidently and someone skiing timidly. Air isn’t a criteria but it demonstrates aggressive skiing because it is more difficult to do so and land than not. Finer points like airing into the fall line will boost line score and aggressiveness. Charging through turns and not hesitating will enhance fluidity and aggressiveness also.

BL- So the skier who goes the biggest won’t always win?
True. While judging a freeski competition is a subjective thing, the 5 criteria make it possible to determine the overall best skier. When sticking to this system, landing 2 separate 30ft airs will score better overall than a 60ft back slap. The other thing is, comps are often held in less than Ideal snow conditions, so people have to be able to ski everything. You can tailor the event though by making it clear to the competitors beforehand what the judges will really be looking for. For example, if the judging panel wants to promote safe skiing they might score the control criteria really hard, discouraging people from skiing things that they might crash on. On the other hand in the World Tour, the skiers are the best of the best and there is a generic high standard. They are capable of going big and skiing clean and so the finer points of control may not be penalized as harshly as a feeder comp. It depends on the competition and the ability of the skiers it will attract.

BL- It is interesting to get beyond freeskiing as purely skiing scary lines and hitting big air.
For sure! Being a good freeskier is definitely about those things, but more about being able to negotiate big mountain terrain. If you can work on and develop all of the criteria in your own skiing you will be able to go ski those lines with a mandatory air, variable snow conditions or tight chutes.

BL- Thanks for you time Pete and enjoy the rest of the Winter.
Thanks. Anytime