# Hairstyle question about women Olympic skiers and snowboarders **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 19, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148 "2018-02-19T21:56:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/1 "2018-02-19T21:56:53Z")
At first I thought it was an accident, but it seems that many (most?) of the women Olympic skiers and snowboarders do this thing where they let a strand of hair hang out under their wool caps on either side of their face. Is this a style thing for women on the slopes these days? Just wondering. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/2 "2018-02-20T20:27:30Z")
I noticed it too, and it’s far too universal to be accidental. In fact, I saw one of the women pull a strand out on purpose when the TV camera came to her. Can’t be anything but on purpose. No idea if it’s a “thing” anywhere but the olympics. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/3 "2018-02-20T20:36:24Z")
I don’t know about female Olympic skiers and snowboarders but I do know for a fact that female gymnasts have to wear their hair in a certain way. My daughter is a competitive gymnast and it takes her a couple of hours to do her hair and look neat in general before a meet. The scoring system is pretty opaque even to people that have been watching it for years like me but I was told that they can get deductions for hair and general appearance that don’t meet the standards including the color of athletic tape they use if they need it. That seems blatantly sexist to me but it seems to be a real thing and I didn’t invent the scoring criteria. I wouldn’t be surprised if other women’s sports have similar requirements. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/4 "2018-02-20T20:49:42Z")
I think it started with girls on the slopes with boys and wanting to appear female, everybody looks the same in snow suit gear. Maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/5 "2018-02-20T23:50:33Z")
**Shagnasty** , skiing isn’t judged, is it? I thought it was all just times (or distance, for the jump). ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/6 "2018-02-21T00:13:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > **Shagnasty** , skiing isn’t judged, is it? I thought it was all just times (or distance, for the jump). Freestyle sports are judged. Racing/Alpine are based upon distance/time. As for the OP, it really is just brand image and good old fashioned “looking nice” when people are taking photos or you’re on t.v… Knit cap and helmet with all the hair tucked under isn’t exactly an attractive look. Additionally, most of these women have endorsements with companies are expected to represent the brand. You’ll notice in snowboarding at the end of the run they almost ALWAYS show their board with their sponsors logos/brand. It’s all a part of looking good and representing yourself and your sponsors. Just do a Google Search on female snowboarders and look at the images. In almost every photoshoot photo you’ll see this same thing - hat with strands of hair. Even in some “action shots” from competitions you’ll see it though that is far less common. Edited to Add: It is also sexy as hell. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/7 "2018-02-21T08:58:43Z")
Shags, Marylou Retton had a short bobbed haircut. Nadia K. had pigtails, I think. I think gymnast hairstyles are mostly a personal preference. I can’t remember her name, but the Hispanic young lady in the Rio games had a big curly ponytail, very cute. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/8 "2018-02-21T10:57:52Z")
Yeah, I’ve been on the competitive gymnastics circuit with my youngest since she was six - she’s 13 now and aging out - and the hair is a matter of personal preference. Styled to a fare-thee-well, yes, but there’s nothing compulsory about it. God, the amount of glitter. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/9 "2018-02-21T12:28:16Z")
I watch a lot of alpine skiing and I don’t know what the OP means at all. Hair seems rarely to be a focus for the skiiers (as it is normally stuffed under a helmet) and when they stick a bobble-hat on if they have long hair it hangs down at the sides because it is long. Is there a picture that shows this? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/10 "2018-02-21T12:47:09Z")
Most of the skiers are pretty hot, in my opinion. I think a little hair out of the cap adds to their appeal and if they think it makes them look nice, why not? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/11 "2018-02-21T13:58:32Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I watch a lot of alpine skiing and I don’t know what the OP means at all. Hair seems rarely to be a focus for the skiiers (as it is normally stuffed under a helmet) and when they stick a bobble-hat on if they have long hair it hangs down at the sides because it is long. Is there a picture that shows this? [Sure.](https://www.outsideonline.com/sites/default/files/migrated-images_parent/migrated-images_58/glen-plake-freestyle-skier_fe.jpg)😉 Nothing new about long braided or long loose hair behind the strap, but [long hair in front of the strap](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/01/21/sports/olympics/21sisters/21sisters-master1050.jpg) seems to me to be more frequent in the last few years. Meh, just fashion. At least the ski race suits are purely functional and don’t have women constantly pulling their costume out of their ass crack as they do in beach volleyball and gymnastics. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/12 "2018-02-21T14:13:04Z")
Never noticed that, To be fair though when watching them I’m concentrating on their sporting ability primarily but I do find the shapely bodies, tucked into tight racesuits rather pleasing to the eye. The hair? not so much. I don’t even notice what my wife does with her hair. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/13 "2018-02-21T14:24:37Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > Freestyle sports are judged. Racing/Alpine are based upon distance/time. Ski-jumping awards points for style:steadiness of skis, body angle, landing, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/14 "2018-02-21T14:30:06Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I don’t even notice what my wife does with her hair. Yeah, she mentioned that when we were in bed last night. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/15 "2018-02-21T14:37:30Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > Freestyle sports are judged. Racing/Alpine are based upon distance/time. For the most part, yes, but one exception to this is World Cup telemark skiing. In the GS, time penalties are made for every non-telemark turn. In the Classic (GS plus some added stuff), a time penalties are made for all non-telemark turns, and a time penalty is made if you do not perform a telemark landing on the jump. (And if you happen to botch your landing so severely that you take out the Japanese judge, failing to get a time will be the least of your worries . . . just sayin’.) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/16 "2018-02-21T15:10:18Z")
Was that The Agony of Defeat? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/17 "2018-02-21T16:30:18Z")
Yeh. Caught an edge and hooked off the course into the net. The judge was standing right beside the net rather than a few feet back, so she got her feet knocked out from under her (volunteer jump and gate judges were always in short supply, so often the quality was not always what one would expect – they were fine in telling the difference between a tele and a christie, and in telling if we cleared the jump distance, but sometimes were clueless about keeping clear of the nets and not using their radios to chat). Anyway, she lodged a complaint against me for swearing at her and (I kid you not) for deliberately slamming into her – I had shouted “Lookout! Shit!” just before impact. That was the second Japanese complaint against me in that competition arising out of shit. The first was a couple of days earlier when I walked into the washroom in my chalet only to interrupt a fellow on the pot who thought that he was in his chalet. It turned out that some of the the Japanese team had been moved to another chalet so that a contributing editor from Powder who was into telemarking and I could have the place to ourselves (I edited a national newsletter for telemarking, so the organizers thought we’d enjoy sharing a chalet, which we did). The Japanese team were quite rightfully pissed off about being booted over to another chalet (and I quite agreed with them). What was even worse was that the short notice resulted in the fellow on the pot not having been made aware of the switch. Thus the initial complaint against me. Come to think of it, there was a kerfuffle (though no formal complaint) the day before the race when the resort had everyone involved sign waivers/releases. I was OK with waiving negligence (hey, shit happens), but not gross negligence (at another resort at our previous year’s nationals, the resort was not up to snuff on a serious course safety issue), so there was a kerfuffle until they relented on the gross negligence issue. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/18 "2018-02-21T18:21:38Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Yeah, she mentioned that when we were in bed last night. hey! conversations cost extra! ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/19 "2018-02-21T18:42:10Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > hey! conversations cost extra! (thank you for not getting mad at me. It was a joke that was hard to resist.) ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148/20 "2018-02-21T21:31:24Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > (thank you for not getting mad at me. It was a joke that was hard to resist.) Joke? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairstyle-question-about-women-olympic-skiers-and-snowboarders/809148.md?page=2)