Oberhofen, Switzerland – In a decision reached earlier this month at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Council meeting in Oberhofen, Snowboard Slopestyle has been approved as an event on the program of the 2011 FIS Snowboard World Championships to be held this winter in La Molina, Spain. The decision opens the door for Slopestyle’s inclusion in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.nThe first ever slopestyle competitions at FIS Snowboard World Championships will take place with qualifiers on Jan. 21, 2011 and the finals on Jan. 22.

The quotas for athletes participating in the slopestyle competitions will be added to the maximum team rosters already announced in October. There will be four national spots for both genders, men and women, per team. In addition, Slopestyle will be featured in two events on the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup this season, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and at Bardonecchia, Italy.

“This is significant news for snowboarding. With minimal facility requirements, the discipline allows for mountain resorts of all sizes to provide a golden opportunity for young riders to climb on the podium. Freestyle riders from every region can now aspire to become World champions,” said Steven Hills, interim chief executive officer of Canada~Snowboard, the governing body for competitive snowboarding in Canada.

Earlier in October, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board announced a delay in their final vote for the 2014 Olympic Program, stating, “Before taking a final decision, the Executive Board would like to consider the outcome of the respective World Championships which will take place during the winter season in 2011.”

The first FIS Junior Snowboard World Championships in slopestyle were successfully staged in New Zealand last August.