Chris Cole/Allsport |
HISTORY
 In the 1960s, Americans began the tradition of freestyle skiing, known as "hotdogging" dangerous type of free-form skiing with few rules.
1979: The International Ski Federation (FIS) accepts freestyle skiing as a member of the international community.
1986: The first freestyle skiing World Championships are held in Tignes, France.
1988: Of the three freestyle skiing events – aerials, moguls and ballet – only moguls appears as a demonstration sport in the Calgary Winter Olympics.
1992: Moguls debuts as an official Olympic event at the Albertville Games. American Donna Weinbrecht wins the women's gold and Edgar Grospiron of France captures the men's gold.
1994: Aerials is added as an Olympic freestyle event at the Lillehammer Games. Andreas “Sonny” Schonbachler of Switzerland unexpectedly wins the men's gold, coming out of retirement to compete at the Olympics. Lina Cheryazova of Uzbekistan, the heavy favorite, wins gold in the women's aerials event.
1998: Americans strike gold in three freestyle events at the Olympic Games in Nagano: Nikki Stone wins the women's aerials event, Eric Bergoust takes first in men's aerials and Jonny Moseley captures gold in men's moguls.
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