"Like Roller Derby On Skis"

The New York Times has a short slideshow piece on a sport that I had never heard of before, "ski cross," and its upcoming addition to the Winter Olympic Games in 2010. I personally haven't cared much about the Olympics since around the era of Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding, so I probably wouldn't have read this piece if not for the opening paragraph:

"Once just a novelty, ski cross, which is like roller derby on skis, will receive the ultimate sporting sanction next year as a new sport for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics."

Like roller derby on skis? Really now.

"In ski cross, four to six racers simultaneously dash over banked turns and bumpy surfaces, and make soaring leaps, all while elbowing and pushing their way to the finish line."

Hm, ok.

"Because the course is in a compact space, there is no such thing as a comfortable, or safe, lead."

I see.

"The fighting for position in ski cross often leads to collisions, high-speed crashes that become popular on YouTube, and frequently, injuries."

All right.

"Some veterans in the sport are mildly wary of its increased status as the Olympic Games near. They like the attention and the increased prize money, but joining the mainstream could irrevocably upset the rebel ethos at the heart of the sport."

Ok. Maybe the comparison isn't quite as crazy as it looked on its face.