No Tribes Skiers in Winter Olympics

Events in the 2002 Winter Olympics under way in Salt Lake City are dominated by skiing, from downhill and slalom to cross country and ski jumping. As the Games recognize the best in the world, players of Tribes 2 are surprised that none of their finest were accepted in the quadrennial competition.

Gamers in Tribes 2 use the technique of skiing, or jumping and jetting down hills, as a way to increase speed and build momentum, usually when on flag runs. Unlike skiers in Nordic events, Tribers ski all year long and on a variety of surfaces: not just snow and ice, but also lush hills and desert badlands.

Skiers of all disciplines need expert skills to reach their level of competition, and Tribes 2 is no exception. Some even showboat a little. "The mogul skiers do wicked tricks in their jumps, but you should see [PoE]Crackpipemidget do a 'woohoo' animation while skiing away with the flag on Beggar's Run," said WSBN shoutcaster SuicideTaxi.

Another Triber was even disdainful of the Olympic high-speed downhill racers. "All those guys do is ski downhill in lightweight aerodynamic skinsuits. Let's see them try it in armor, carrying weapons, ammunition, mines and grenades, while being chased by an angry mob of flag defenders."