History of snowboarding
It all began in 1965 when Sherman Poppen, invented a toy for his daughter. He fastened two skis together with a rope attached to one of them to keep that board under control. And then and there the modern snowboard was invented.
Poppen called he board a “snurfer”, thats a combination of snow and surfer. The toy became more and more popular among his daughters friends so Poppen licensed the idea. Over a millions snurfers were sold during the next decade. In the 70s.
Other inventors made similar “snowboards” during this era. Dimitrije Milovich, Jake Burton Carpenter (founder of Burton Snowboards from Londonderry, Vermont), Tom Sims (founder of Sims Snowboards), Chuck Barfoot (founder of Barfoot Snowboards) and Mike Olson (founder of Gnu Snowboards) came up with new designs for boards and mechanisms that slowly developed into the snowboards and other related equipment that we know today.
History of skiing
The history of skiing according to Wikipedia.
Norwegian Sondre Norheim is known as the “father of modern skiing” (the originator of skiing as recreation and sport). He was from from Telemark district in Norway, which is also known as the “cradle of skiing”. Norheim created the design templates from which all forms of modern skiing are derived. In 1850, woodcarvers from the Telemark region introduced lighter, thinner, cambered skis. These developments were accompanied by Norheim’s creation of stiff bindings by fully securing the heel with a strong yet flexible strap made from birch roots. This new binding system enabled the skier to swing, jump and maneuver turns while skiing down hills. These were known as “Osier” bindings. Morten Lund writes, in his piece outlining the development of Alpine skiing, that “Telemark skiing marked the transition to dynamic control, changing the angle of the ski bottom on the snow and changing the direction of the ski to the line of descent—the basis of technique even today”, thus the necessity for Norheim’s heel binding invention. And as a result, came the “flowering of the world’s first “freestyle” contests—climbing, running, making turns for the heck of it and flying off natural bumps on unprepared snow.
As an of topic remark, The heroes from Telemarken is a great movie 
Nordic Combined Calendar
Nordic Combined, not really my cup of tea but here is the calendar
| Date | Event | Nation | Category | Mens |
| 4.-5.9.2010 | Liberec | CZE | OPA | Gundersen NH HS90/10.0 Km |
| 2.-3.10.2010 | Oberstdorf | GER | OPA | Gundersen NH HS100/10.0 K |
| 26.-27.11.2010 | Kuusamo | FIN | WC | Gundersen LH HS142/10.0 K |
| 4.-5.12.2010 | Lillehammer | NOR | WC | Gundersen LH HS138/10.0 K |
| 4.-5.12.2010 | Steamboat Springs, CO | USA | COC | Gundersen LH HS134/10.0 K |
| 11.-12.12.2010 | Park City, UT | USA | COC | Gundersen LH HS134/10.0 K |
| 18.-19.12.2010 | Ramsau | AUT | WC | Gundersen NH HS98/10.0 Km |
| 18.-19.12.2010 | Erzurum | TUR | COC | Gundersen NH HS95/10.0 Km |
| 8.-9.1.2011 | Schonach | GER | WC | Gundersen NH HS106/10.0 K |
| 14.-16.1.2011 | Lauscha | GER | OPA | Gundersen NH HS102/10.0 K |
| 15.-16.1.2011 | Seefeld | AUT | WC | Gundersen NH HS106/10.0 K |
| 15.-16.1.2011 | Klingenthal | GER | COC | Gundersen LH HS140/10.0 K |
| 22.-23.1.2011 | Chaux-Neuve | FRA | WC | Gundersen LH HS117/10.0 K |
| 25.-31.1.2011 | Otepää | EST | WJC | Gundersen NH HS100/10.0 K |
| 5.-6.2.2011 | Kranj | SLO | OPA | Gundersen NH HS109/10.0 K |
| 12.-13.2.2011 | Szczyrk | POL | COC | Gundersen NH HS106/10.0 K |
| 12.-13.2.2011 | Eisenerz | AUT | COC | Gundersen NH HS95/10.0 Km |
| 19.-20.2.2011 | Kranj | SLO | COC | Gundersen NH HS109/10,0 K |
| 22.2.-6.3.2011 | Oslo | NOR | WSC | Gundersen NH HS106/10.0 K |
| 5.3.2011 | Sapporo | JPN | FIS | Gundersen NH HS100/10.0 K |
Snowboarding Calendar
One of the most popular event, maybe for the younger generation. Can be fun to watch.
| Date | Event | Nation | Category | Ladies | Mens |
| 20.8.2010 | Mt Hutt | NZE | FIS | PGS | PGS |
| 1.-7.9.2010 | Chapelco (ARG) | BRA | SAC | GS SBX SBS | GS SBX SBS |
| 1.-7.9.2010 | Chapelco (ARG) | BRA | MAS | GS SBX SBS | GS SBX SBS |
| 5.9.2010 | Mt Buller | AUS | FIS | PGS | PGS |
| 9.-12.9.2010 | Zermatt | SUI | NC JUN | HP BA | 2xHP 2xBA |
| 11.-12.9.2010 | Chapelco (ARG) | BRA | WC | SBX | SBX |
| 10.10.2010 | Landgraaf | NED | WC | PSL | PSL |
| 27.-28.10.2010 | Saas Fee | SUI | EC | HP | HP |
| 30.10.2010 | London | GBR | WC | BA | |
| 3.-4.11.2010 | Saas-Fee | SUI | WC | HP | HP |
| 18.-19.11.2010 | TBD | USA | NAC | PSL PGS | PSL PGS |
| 20.11.2010 | Stockholm | SWE | WC | BA | |
| 27.-28.11.2010 | Hochfuegen, Zillertal (AUT) | GER | EC FIS | 2xPGS | 2xPGS |
| 3.12.2010 | Seoul | KOR | WC | BA | |
| 3.-5.12.2010 | Welschnofen-Carezza | ITA | EC | PGS PSL | PGS PSL |
| 9.-11.12.2010 | Copper, CO | USA | NAC | HP | HP |
| 10.-11.12.2010 | Ratschings/Racines | ITA | FIS EC | 2xPGS | 2xPGS |
| 11.12.2010 | Limone Piemonte | ITA | WC | PGS | PGS |
| 13.-14.12.2010 | Copper, CO | USA | FIS | HP SBS | HP SBS |
| 15.-18.12.2010 | Telluride | USA | WC | PGS 2xSBX | PGS 2xSBX |
Freestyle Skiing Calendar
Half-pipe is my favourite event. I can see my house from heeeeere 
| Date | Event | Nation | Category | Ladies | Mens |
| 20.-21.8.2010 | Perisher | AUS | ANC | MO DM | MO DM |
| 21.-22.8.2010 | Mt Hotham | AUS | ANC | 2xSX | 2xSX |
| 22.8.2010 | Mettmenstetten | SUI | FIS | AE | AE |
| 28.8.2010 | Mt Buller | AUS | ANC | DM | DM |
| 2.-5.9.2010 | Chapelco (ARG) | BRA | SAC | 2xSX | 2xSX |
| 8.-10.12.2010 | Copper, CO | USA | NAC | HP | HP |
| 11.12.2010 | Suomu | FIN | WC | MO | MO |
| 15.12.2010 | Meribel | FRA | WC | DM | DM |
| 17.-20.12.2010 | Beida Lake | CHN | WC | MO 2xAE | MO 2xAE |
| 18.-19.12.2010 | Innichen/San Candido | ITA | WC | 2xSX | 2xSX |
| 18.12.2010 | TBA | USA | NAC | AE HP | AE HP |
| 19.-22.12.2010 | TBA | USA | FIS | 2xMO DM AE | 2xMO DM AE |
| 7.1.2011 | St. Johann (Tirol) | AUT | WC | SX | SX |
| 7.-8.1.2011 | Erzurum/Palandöken | TUR | FIS | MO SX | MO SX |
| 8.-9.1.2011 | Meiringen-Hasliberg | SUI | EC | 2xAE | 2xAE |
| 10.1.2011 | TBA | USA | NAC | AE | AE |
| 10.1.2011 | Madarao | JPN | FIS | MO | MO |
| 12.1.2011 | Alpe d Huez | FRA | WC | SX | SX |
| 14.-16.1.2011 | Piancavallo | ITA | EC | 2xMO | 2xMO |
| 15.-16.1.2011 | Mont Gabriel | CAN | WC | DM AE | DM AE |
Alpine Skiing Calendar
Alpine Skiing.
Now were talking, this is more my kind of events, fast and furious.
| Date | Event | Nation | Category | Ladies | Mens |
| 16.-22.8.2010 | Mt Hotham | AUS | ANC | GS | GS |
| 17.-21.8.2010 | Catedral – Bariloche | ARG | NC FIS | 2xSL | 2xSL 2xGS |
| 21.-22.8.2010 | Chapelco – S.M. de los Andes | ARG | SAC NC | 2xGS | |
| 21.-24.8.2010 | Coronet Peak, NZ (NZE) | JPN | FIS | 2xSL 2xGS | 2xSL 2xGS |
| 25.-27.8.2010 | Valle Nevado (CHI) | BRA | NC SAC | SL GS SG | SL GS SG |
| 30.8.-1.9.2010 | Coronet Peak | NZE | NC | SL GS | SL GS |
| 30.-31.8.2010 | Coronet Peak | NZE | DAR | SL GS | SL GS |
| 1.-3.9.2010 | Antillanca | CHI | CHI | SL GS SG | SL GS SG |
| 2.-4.9.2010 | Coronet Peak | NZE | ANC | SL GS | SL GS |
| 4.-5.9.2010 | La Parva | CHI | SAC | SL | SL |
| 6.-10.9.2010 | La Parva | CHI | TRA SAC | 4xDH SG SC | 4xDH SG SC |
| 6.9.2010 | Mt Hutt | NZE | NC | SG | SG |
| 6.9.2010 | Mt Hutt | NZE | DAR | SG | SG |
| 7.-11.9.2010 | Mt Hutt | NZE | ANC | SL GS 2xSG 2xSC | SL GS 2xSG 2xSC |
| 10.-13.9.2010 | Cerro Castor – Ushuaia | ARG | FIS | 2xSL 2xGS | 2xSL 2xGS |
| 11.-12.9.2010 | El Colorado | CHI | SAC | GS | GS |
| 14.-16.9.2010 | Antillanca | CHI | NC SAC | SL GS SG SC | SL GS SG SC |
| 2.-3.10.2010 | La Hoya – Esquel | ARG | ENL | SL GS | SL GS |
| 7.-8.10.2010 | Valle Nevado | CHI | FIS | GS | GS |
| 22.-24.10.2010 | Soelden | AUT | WC | GS | GS |
Ski jumping calendar
The Ski jumping scene keeps evolving. I will probably follow it this year.
| Date | Event | Nation | Category | Ladies | Mens |
| 19.-21.8.2010 | Wisla | POL | GP QUA | 3xLH | |
| 20.-21.8.2010 | Oberwiesenthal | GER | COC | 2xNH | |
| 27.-29.8.2010 | Hakuba | JPN | GP QUA | 4xLH | |
| 28.-29.8.2010 | Örnsköldsvik | SWE | FC | 2xNH | |
| 11.-12.9.2010 | Kranj | SLO | OPA | 2xNH | |
| 11.-12.9.2010 | Lillehammer | NOR | COC | 2xNH | 2xLH |
| 18.-19.9.2010 | Oslo | NOR | COC | 2xNH | 2xNH |
| 25.-26.9.2010 | Falun | SWE | COC FC | 2xNH | 2xNH |
| 25.-26.9.2010 | Almaty | KAZ | COC | NH LH | |
| 30.9.-1.10.2010 | Liberec | CZE | COC GP QUA | NH | 2xLH |
| 2.-3.10.2010 | Wisla | POL | COC | 2xLH | |
| 2.-3.10.2010 | Oberstdorf | GER | OPA | NH | |
| 2.-3.10.2010 | Klingenthal | GER | GP QUA | 2xLH | |
| 8.-9.10.2010 | Einsiedeln | SUI | FC | 2xLH | |
| 26.-28.11.2010 | Kuusamo | FIN | QUA WC | 2xLH TL | |
| 30.11.-1.12.2010 | Kuopio | FIN | QUA WC | 2xLH | |
| 3.-5.12.2010 | Lillehammer | NOR | QUA WC | 3xLH | |
| 10.-12.12.2010 | Harrachov | CZE | QUA WC | 3xLH | |
| 11.-12.12.2010 | Harrachov | CZE | |||
| 11.-12.12.2010 | Vikersund | NOR | COC | 2xLH | 2xLH |
Cross Country Calendar
Cross Country is looking good this year, might be interesting.
| Date | Event | Nation | Category | Ladies | Mens |
| 21.-22.8.2010 | Falls Creek | AUS | ANC | 5k 10k | 10k 15k |
| 28.8.2010 | Falls Creek | AUS | ML | 3xMl | 3xMl |
| 4.9.2010 | Oroslavje | CRO | ROL ROLJ | 2×10k | 2×10k |
| 10.-12.9.2010 | Prato Nevoso/Cuneo/Chiusa Pesio | ITA | ROL ROLJ | 4×15k 2xSP | 4×15k 2xSP |
| 25.-26.9.2010 | Thessaloniki | GRE | ROL ROLJ | 2×10k 2xSP | 2×10k 2xSP |
| 6.-7.11.2010 | Rybinsk | RUS | FIS | 10k 2xSP | 15k 2xSP |
| 12.-14.11.2010 | Beitostoelen | NOR | FIS | 5k 10k 2xSP | 10k 15k 2xSP |
| 20.-21.11.2010 | Gällivare | SWE | WC | 10k TE | 15k TE |
| 24.-27.11.2010 | West Yellowstone, MT | USA | UST | 2xDI 4xSP | 2xDI 4xSP |
| 26.-28.11.2010 | Kuusamo | FIN | WC SPWQ | 5k 10k 2xSP | 10k 15k 2xSP |
| 27.-28.11.2010 | Gaalaa | NOR | FIS | 10k 2xSP | 15k 2xSP |
| 4.-5.12.2010 | Düsseldorf | GER | WC SPWQ | Tsp 2xSP | Tsp 2xSP |
| 4.-5.12.2010 | Goms | SUI | JUN FIS | 2×5k 2xSP | 2×10k 2xSP |
| 11.-12.12.2010 | Davos | SUI | WC SPWQ | 10k 2xSP | 15k 2xSP |
| 11.-12.12.2010 | Sovereign Lake, Vernon, BC | CAN | NAC | 10k 2xSP | 15k 2xSP |
| 15.-16.12.2010 | Erzurum/Kandilli | TUR | FIS | Dpu SP | Dpu SP |
| 17.-19.12.2010 | Black Jack SC | CAN | NAC | 5k 10k 2xSP | 5k 15k 2xSP |
| 17.-19.12.2010 | Savalen | NOR | COC | 2×10k 2xSP | 2×15k 2xSP |
| 18.-19.12.2010 | La Clusaz | FRA | WC | 15k TE | 30k TE |
| 18.-19.12.2010 | Craftsbury, VT | USA | FIS | DI 2xSP | DI 2xSP |
Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix is over
I have very mixed feelings about the Nordic Combined. I see no correlation between Cross Country Skiing and Ski jumping?
Well well.
Magnus Moan took his second victory in a row in the Nordic Combined Summer Grand Prix. According to Magnus he had become more relaxed after the birth of his second child in April. The final race was a tough one. The schedule was tight and there were not much time for regeneration from Friday to Saturday.
Magnus Moan won in the heavy rain on Friday. Magnus started with 55 seconds to the leader and went on to win the competition with the fastest time in the roller skiing race.
But the over all winner was Rydzek in the summer rankings. Johannes Rydzek, was the most consistent athlete in all four events, and was very pleased: “I’m really very happy that I had such a good streak – one victory, three second places
FIS Snowboard & Freestyle Junior World Championships
FIS Snowboard & Freestyle Junior World Championships is soon here.
The event takes place from 19th-31st August. Over 300 of the world’s elite snowboarders and freestylers from 30 nations will arrive in Lake Wanaka to fight for the medals.
For the first time a FIS World Championshipis on location in New Zeeland and it is also the first time the disciplines of Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding have combined at FIS World Championship level.
There is a total of nine events – snowboard slopestyle, snowboard cross, snowboard half-pipe, snowboard parallel slalom and giant slalom, snowboard big air, ski slopestyle, ski cross and ski half-pipe.
If you you want to follow the event and results, check out the web site www.juniorworldsnz.co.nz.
Good luck to all of the participants.