Equal parts ski jumping and gymnastics, aerials first became an Olympic event at the 1994 Lillehammer Games. Competitors start down a steep ramp focusing on generating enough speed to produce the highest takeoff possible. Unlike ski jumping, in which the ramp flattens out at the end, the aerials ramp goes straight up at the end, propelling skiers five stories in the air, where they remain aloft for about 3.5 seconds, enough time to include up to three flips and five twists. Judges score the jumps based on takeoff, height, body position, form and landing. The jump’s degree of difficulty is factored into each score, much like diving. Each competitor makes two jumps in qualifying with the top 16 advancing to the finals. There, the scores are reset, and the aerialist with the top combined score from two more jumps wins.
