In June 2004 the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team chose DonJoy to be their official medical supplier. We are now delighted to announce that a leading light of that team, 26 year old Kristi Richards, the current World Freestyle Mogul Champion, has agreed to be our new ‘Face of DonJoy’. Kristi, who was the first female to successfully complete a 720 (two full twists) off a mogul jump, will feature in our snow sports advertising campaign while she continues her ceaseless quest for top podium positions during  the 2007/2008 World Cup events.

Kristi who beat fellow Canadian and Olympic Champion, Jennifer Heil, to win Gold at the 2007 Freestyle Skiing World Championship in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy now has the 2010 Winter Olympics in her sights especially as they are being hosted by her home town of Vancouver (Summerland). She said: “I am delighted to have DonJoy backing me in my journey to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.  I know what it’s like to suffer from a knee injury - I missed the 2003/2004 season with an ACL injury to my left knee.  I used the DonJoy braces during my recovery from ACL surgery and found the brace gave me the confidence to ski to my potential and push me to my limits.”

Freestyle skiing began in the 1930’s, when Norwegian skiers began performing acrobatics during alpine and cross-country training. The sport developed further throughout the 60’s and 70’s, when it was often known as "hot-dogging". The free-form sport had few rules and wasn't without danger; knee injuries became a common phenomenon for professional freestyle

The International Ski Federation (FIS) recognized freestyle as a sport in 1979 and brought in new regulations regarding certification of athletes and jump techniques in an effort to curb the dangerous elements of the competitions. The first World Cup series was staged in 1980 and the first World Championships took place in 1986 in Tignes, France. Freestyle skiing was a demonstration event at the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988 and Mogul skiing was added to the official programme of the Albertville Games in 1992, and aerials added for the Lillehammer Games in 1994.

During a competitive mogul run, skiers must turn around large bumps (moguls) and also perform two jumps (airs). The slope is very steep, usually between 22 and 32 degrees, and about 660-890 feet in length. The jumps in a moguls competition are smaller than those in aerials, and until recently inverted manoeuvres were banned. The skier is judged on overall form and turns (50%), jumps (25%) and speed (25%).

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