[Photo: Bob Martin, Allsport] Jan Bucher executes a perfect pole flip. And yes, the photographer did survive.

Formerly called ballet, acro is the third of the freestyle ski disciplines. Skiers perform a short routine to music, and are marked on technical difficulty and composition/style. The prepared course is a shallow slope. Competitors move down the slope as they perform their routine; they choreograph a series of pole flips, axels and linking steps 'blended together...into a well-balanced programme, performed in harmony with music of the skier's choice.'

Although acro may seem far removed from the world of the ordinary skier, it requires a high degree of coordination and athleticism. Unfortunately, during recent years acro's popularity has dwindled as it failed to be accepted as an Olympic discipline, and it is uncertain whether it will survive as a competitive sport.