The longitudinal analysis included 4,459 competitors and 44,355 observations for males in the freestyle event. Relative to the age-42 peak, estimated pace was 6.5% slower at age 20, 4.6% slower at age 30, 0.2% slower at age 40, 2.5% slower at age 50, 12.2% slower at age 60, 30.2% slower at age 70, and 43.4% slower at age 75.
Females in the freestyle event (838 competitors and 7,342 observations) showed a similar trajectory as that of males. Relative to their age-42 peak, pace was 8.0% slower at age 20, 5.0% slower at 30, 0.1% slower at 40, 1.7% slower at 50, 9.2% slower at 60, 29.1% slower at 70, and 47.7% slower at 75.
Freestyle skiers had peak performances at an earlier age than classic skiers. They also had a greater % reduction in pace as they aged. In other words, age had a greater (negative) effect on freestyle performance than classic, particularly as skiers approached their 70s and on.