How to watch freestyle skiing moguls at the Winter Olympics: A guide to understanding and appreciating the sport

The Winter Olympics are here, which means a lot of snow and a lot of people with things strapped to their feet. One of the more interesting and hectic events is the freestyle skiing moguls event. Moguls are a series of bumps on the slope, and skiers have to navigate this with as much speed and technique as possible.

It’s almost comical at times, like a dirtbike going over a series of bumps, but with a whole lot more grace. It’s one of multiple freestyle skiing events at the Pyeongchang Olympics, alongside aerials, ski cross, half-pipe and slopestyle. Freestyle skiing has been described as a “circus on the snow” and its an apt description. There is so much grace and coordination, but it’s bumpy and chaotic at the same time.

In addition to hitting the moguls, the skiers will also have to hit a couple jumps along the way, incorporating twists and flips if possible. The most important thing for a moguls competitor is a strong base. The knees absorb a massive amount of force going over the moguls themselves, and it’s quite impressive to see a near-perfect run.

The women’s moguls qualification will take place at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 9. The finals will take place at 7 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. For the men, the qualification will take place at 9:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. The final will be at 7 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12. NBC will have live streaming coverage of the events.

You can also live stream NBC, NBCSN, and the Olympic Channel coverage via FuboTV on your computer or mobile devices.

It’s one of the most accessible skiing events, but also one of the coolest to watch. It’s not as intense as aerials, where skiers get 30 feet up in the air, but it’s hectic in a way that feels like the competitors are always right on the edge of losing it.

Competitors ski down a course with rounded bumps — moguls — and twice during the run, they will hit a jump. They must execute a trick, usually a flip that incorporates some kind of horizontal spin. Speed is a factor, but it is not a race. Each run is judged on two components, with five judges determining the score for turns and two judged determining the score for air. Each run will be timed, with speed making up the third component to the score.

As far as weird rules go, they get really specific when it comes to turning. The fall line, carving, absorption, extension, and upper body are all part of what the turning judges consider, and they judge these things to a decimal point.

The fact you know the bumps are actually called moguls is probably a good starting point.

Well, Jaelin Kauf is the woman best-suited to take home the gold for the US.

American men have one gold medal, one silver medal, and three bronze medals in the history of the event. American women have two gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals in the event’s history.

Gif via Deadspin.