Freestyle skiing big air is one of seven events making its Olympic debut this year as the Games tries to expand its reach into extreme sports and promote gender equity.
But there are few rules in big air, where skiers can land forward or backward, flip or spin in any direction and grab their skis to show their individual style.
Aerials, the second-oldest freestyle skiing discipline in the Winter Olympics, is due for an upgrade by adding a mixed team event in which three skiers per country — each team must have at least one man and one woman — compete together with the team score combining individual marks from all three athletes.
“That’s definitely a new feeling for me, but it is fun,” said Caldwell, a four-time Olympian who helped the United States to a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the 2021 world championships. “And these are my friends and I know at the end of the day, whatever happens, they love and respect me.”
Mixed gender events have become a focal point for the IOC, which uses the unique formats to promote gender equity. Nine mixed team events debuted in Tokyo, including swimming, track relays and triathlon, bringing the total number for the Summer Games to 18. In Beijing, there are 11 mixed events.
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