Freestyle Skier Daron Rahlves Going to 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver

At 36, Daron Rahlves of Sugar Bowl, CA, is practically a senior citizen on the U.S. Ski Team. Ski cross is the newest Olympic freestyle skiing event and Daron Rahlves will be racing for ski cross gold at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Rahlves was at the 2006 Torino Winter Games and the two before that. Vancouver will be his fourth Olympics appearance. The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games run from February 12 to 28.

Daron Rahlves' Alpine & Freestyle Skiing Record

Rahlves spent 13 years as a member of the U.S. Alpine Ski Team and retired after the 2006 Torino Olympics. Still wanting to ski competitively, however, he hopped back on the boards as a freestyler and is now running in the wild world of ski cross. His past record includes three Olympics, 12 World Cup wins, and ski cross gold at the 2008 X Games.

Rahlves Crashes Out of Medal Contention at Vancouver

During a semi-final qualifying race, Daron Rahlves tangled with French ski cross racer Ted Piccard and went down hard. He got up and skied to the finish, but was no longer in contention for a medal. Rahlves finished in 28th position. Teammate Casey Puckett placed 23rd.

What is Ski Cross?

In ski cross, a group of skiers races together along a marked course, similar to snowboard cross. It's speed that counts, not style, with medals awarded according to where competitors place in relation to each other. Ski cross is making it's debut as an Olympic sport in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

Rahlves' ski cross teammate will be Casey Puckett of Aspen, CO. Vancouver will be Puckett's fifth Olympics.

Sources: U.S. Ski Team, 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, Daron Rahlves Website.