WSI vs. JOI explanation
A lot of you are wondering how the hell I can choose going to World Skiing Invitational in Whistler, over my home event, Jon Olsson Invitational in Åre, Sweden. The arguments are great, Jon’s trademark perfect jump building, the hometown feeling, etc, and if this was any other year I would have chosen to go to JOI without any hesitation. This time it’s different though, because this little thing called the AFP ranking came along and made the choice harder.
For those of you who don’t know, The Association of Freeskiing Professionals is a system not far away from FIS, that has the objective to rank and classify both riders and events. An event can get a status ranging from bronze to platinum, basically telling sponsors and athletes how important the competition in question is. Depending on the status of the comp, the athletes in it get AFP points for how well they score in it, and move up and down in the ranking systems.
Obviously there is no way of telling who is the best skier and so on, but for people outside of our sport, such as corporate sponsors and mainstream media, having an official looking ranking system is obviously very convenient. With the JOI only having one discipline, and an AFP gold standard, it only makes sense for me, and several other athletes, to go to the platinum-ranked WSI event. There I can do two disciplines and score a lot higher in the final ranking, where I am currently ranked 3rd (big air), 11th (slopestyle), and 9th (overall).
It’s a huge bummer the events coincide because trust me, I want to compete in front of the home crowd more than anything, but with sponsor contracts being renewed, this is the smartest choice for me business-wise. It’s not a long career and you gotta make the smart moves!
Whistler is going to be awesome, not only is it 3 days of competing at one of the oldest and most prestigious events in our sport, it’s all during the 10 day long Telus festival with a bunch of sick bands playing so I’m obviously stoked for that side of the trip too 
after my second place at the WSI big air in 2009, most fun big air comp ever. super stoked its happening again!
Hope this was enough explaining from my side for you to fully understand my thoughts around this. Stay tuned for some travel blogs dropping soon, heading out to Maine for the Dumont Cup tomorrow morning!
Jacob
problems, random, skiing
Sad that one cant do evrything, but a clever choice…
Totally understand your choise, though I would have love to see some great and funny blog post from you and Sofia at JOI.. Next year JOSS again though..
Question; can you give more insight in some sponsor contracts.. not to hate, for me its your style that I follow your blog and freeskiing is about doing what you love to do, but your scores and podiums have been better.. How does that work with sponsor contracts? Train hard and kick ass at WSI, otherwise you could have better gone to JOI..
faberge – my sponsor contracts are doing fine, ive had 1 gold and several top 5 finishes this season so Im actually pretty stoked on my year result-wise. hopefully I’ll be able to finish it off in a good way before summer. as far as podiums go im not too worried since my main goal is to push towards the backcountry more and more, and i know my sponsors want to help me pursue that dream as well. there’s a lot more to this world than competition skiing.
Wow, i really think of WSI as a rinky dink event compared to JOI. I am surprised that it rates higher than JOI even with two events. I guess that’s the problem with people ranking a sport that always has trouble deciding whether it’s “Freeski” or “competition” driven.
Time will tell if your decision was the right one. Would have loved to see some progression at JOI. Next year i guess.
Wondering if you’re hanging out in Åre the first part of JOSS with rest if the circus?
thedude – WSI has been around for so many years in this industry, I think of it as one of the original big air events that has set the standard for competition skiing today. JOI is relatively new as a competition and no matter how fun it is to do, WSI is just a bigger event.
Emil – theres no JOSS this year, JOI is only during three days, so no I will be staying in canada.
Hi Jacob,
Thats great to hear! I didnt really look into your results, it was just a feeling.. Results dont do much for me, but I figured for sponsors it does.. To hear they will support your dream to push more in the BC is great!! Stoked for you man!
@jacobwester
I agree WSI has been around for a long time. TJ Schiller helped kick start his career winning that event. But that was 6 years ago. Since that time JOI and other big air events have come into play. I remember the half-pipe comp at WSI being the event to win outside of xgames. I just don’t know if it continues to be as relevant to freeskiing. But i am just a fan. Not a skier who would ever be able to attempt the kind of things you do daily.
Regardless goodluck at WSI. You and your blog will be missed at JOI.
i think you made the right choice jacob, keep on rockin’!
From http://www.wssf.com/event/world-skiing-invitational-afp-world-championship-big-air:
Complete list of invited athletes will be issued on March 20 (based on AFP rankings immediately following X Games Europe). Confirmed athletes to date include:
Jacob Wester
Russ Henshaw
Henrik Harlaut
Bobby Brown
Gus Kenworthy