Emelie Forsberg Instagram – I feel embarrassed for the beautiful wild sport of ski mountaineering, that a new discipline for the Olympics is using that name. The legacy of a truly awesome sport.
It has been a little raid of #saveskimo here on social media, and as a true lover, devoted athlete and fan of the sport I feel like contributing to it.
What drew me to ski mountaineering was the mountains, the opportunity to race, and give my all in different conditions on mountains. To ski up a hill, continue on foot as the hill becomes a ridge, use crampons if needed, conditions we need to be comfortable in. Then to choose a line going down, mastering different snow conditions and of course follow the flags, but still choosing your own fastest way.
I enjoyed the disciplines of vertical, I mean I´m an endurance athlete, who doesn´t want to push yourself to your absolutely limit? And a vertical is great for that. I enjoyed the sprints, more or less same thoughts there, to be fast, smooth and do transitions efficient. I saw it as side kicks to the real sport. To be good in these would help me perform on the real races.
The sport that is going to the Olympics is a shame for the name, I wish they could change it. All respect for the athletes competing, I know how hard they train and pour all their heart in it, but my fire is still burning to protect and evolve ski mountaineering. Not skiing in a kids slope, running up stairs and following portals.
Maybe the future is that ski mountaineering still excist with what it truly is, still world cups, championships etc, but also this new sport, sking up and down a small slope? What could be a good name for that? I´m not trying to be sarcastic here, just trying to think of ways to evolve a beautiful sport. | Posted on 28/Jan/2025 18:09:31
