Men's LG Snowboard Cross FIS World Cup 2010, before the new two-person addition. (LGEPR/flickr)

Though they may only watch the sport every four years, fans will see a much more exciting look in this year’s snowboard cross.

For the first time since the sport’s debut in Torino, this year's Olympics will showcase six-person heats. The tighter, busier look will mimic that of the heats used in the Winter X Games, meant to increase the intensity and competition. Snowboard cross looks for the rush, the adrenaline, and the danger - all fulfilled by this addition.

Two more riders on the course in each heat than in past Olympics means the racing will be much more complex, and the added traffic will create a bigger battle for the gold. In anticipation of this change, the FIS World Cup races leading up to the Olympics switched to the six-man format, as well. This new format will create more chances for passes, more chances for heated mid-pack battles, and of course, more chances for crashes.

This new style of snowboard cross, with more riders in the gate, creates a heightened level of unpredictability. But, with the electrifying luge events having just wrapped up, snowboard cross had to do something to keep its Olympic audience interested. 

Another important distinction between four- and six-man racing is the style of the course. The newer course is wider, bigger, and better built for passing - necessary to accommodate more riders. (Not to mention, there’s also a jump where the lip is 60-feet wide.) The course has done its best to mimic an X Games course and its extreme nature will likely be reflected in the heats and athletes. 

As for the athletes, thrill is what attracted them to the sport.  Experience will be tested; they now have to identify the potentially dangerous situations of an extra person losing control or crashing. They will have to be even more sensitive to their surroundings, deciding when something doesn’t look right and avoiding it within split seconds.

This year, a number of American favorites are in the lineup to compete.

Lindsey Jacobellis

Lindsey Jacobellis pre- her ACL-tearing fall. (Selden Linderman/Flickr)

After spending nearly two years away from snowboard cross, Lindsey Jacobellis is back. Jacobellis is coming back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that she suffered in the 2012 X Games; however, she is also coming back from a 2006 Olympic silver medal performance. As the female athlete with the highest number of wins in X Games history - having won her eighth X Games gold medal in January - audiences can expect Lindsey's reign to continue. She didn't get back on snow until June and competed for the first time since her injury in November, but she’s back with a vengeance.

READ MORE: TeamUSA.org interviews Jacobellis. 

Nate Holland

Nate Holland is also an eight-time X Games gold medalist, who’s never made it to the elusive Olympic podium. Holland broke his collarbone in a training run at the first Olympic qualifier on Dec. 7 in Austria. He flew to Vail, Colo., and had surgery the next day. On Dec. 18 he was back on his snowboard, taking a test ride. Now, he’s ready for his third Olympics.

Nick Baumgartner

Another contender to watch is Nick Baumgartner, of Iron River, Michigan. Baumgartner has been a favorite in the World Cup, the X Games and the Olympics. At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Baumgartner’s all-or-nothing approach cost him dearly, but that makes him all the more exciting to watch. Baumgartner was awarded the fourth and final spot on the Olympic team, over two-time defending Olympic gold medalist, Seth Wescott.

2010 FIS competitors finish out their runs. (LGEPR/Flickr)

Trevor Jacob

Additionally, be on the lookout for U.S. team rookie Trevor Jacob. He’s only been racing snowboard cross for two years, but has already won a World Cup in Vallnord-Arcalís, Andorra, in January. 

The first Olympic snowboardcross races in Sochi will be held on Feb. 16.

See the full Snowboardcross schedule here.  

Reach Staff Writer Durga Ghosh here.