The FIS Congress in Antalya, Turkey, agreed to ask the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include halfpipe skiing medal events for men and women, following a proposal by the United States and French ski federations, who claimed that it was a "new and dynamic sport".

 

The FIS is already submitting both an alpine team event and women's ski jumping again to the IOC for 2014 consideration, both approved in past meetings.

 

In halfpipe skiing, competitors score points for performing tricks and jumps on the same course used for the snowboard halfpipe.

 

Ski halfpipe is already on the programme for the inaugural 2012 Youth Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.

 

Luke Bodensteiner, the vice-president of the US Ski and Snowboard Federation, said: "Ski halfpipe is strongly supported by the ski industry as an opportunity to derive value from sponsors and television who crave innovative events with strong youth appeal.

 

"As a member association, we're proud of the reputation that FIS has developed as a progressive and dynamic international sports federation, particularly in terms of the events and sports it provides to the Olympic Games.

 

"By aggressively developing new and dynamic action sports into its program, FIS is leading from a position that is relevant to youth and the worldwide public.

 

"That provides value to our stakeholders and our partners."

 

The FIS also decided to add slopestyle and team snowboardcross events to the snowboard World Championships.

 

It also may seek Olympic status for those events in 2018, when the Games will be held in either Annecy, Munich or Pyeongchang.

 

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