Freestyle

Duals U.S. Titles for Matthews and Wilson

by
USSA
2016-03-20 16:02
 

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO (March 20, 2016) – The best regional and national moguls athletes dueled it out on Steamboat Resort’s famed Voodoo mogul course in the final event of the season at the 2016 USANA U.S. Freestyle Championships. Mikaela Matthews (Frisco, CO) and Brad Wilson (Butte, MT) made it through multiple rounds on Voodoo to land national titles.

It was the first national title for Matthews, who captured a win in duals at the World Cup opener back in December and finished sixth in the World Cup rankings this season. She dueled young gun and Steamboat local Jaelin Kauf (Alta, WY; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club) in the final. The two battled it out earlier this season at Deer Valley Resort where Kauf was victorious. While Kauf was first across the line on Voodoo, Matthews was cleaner on her airs.

“Jaelin’s fast, so I knew I was going to have to push myself,” said Matthews. “For me, I don’t think as much in duals. I just go and don’t hold anything back. I ski fast, I ski hard, I go big. I lose that fear and that aspect of control. I was pretty excited to just ski my run. It was a clean, solid run and it was enough to give me my first national title.”

The women’s podium was completed with Nessa Dziemian (East Hampstead, NH) battling Kelly Lawson (Boulder, CO; Winter Park Competition Center) in the small final to land in third.


Women's podium (l to r): Jaelin Kauf, Mikaela Matthews and Nessa Dziemian. (U.S. Freestyle Ski Team)

Wilson has been making a strong comeback from injury since returning to the World Cup in late February. He skied clean, fast runs all day leading in to his final dual against Joe Discoe. It was a close race, with Wilson taking the win 20 to 15.

“A national title is always awesome to have and it’s a great way to end the season,” said Wilson. “Another really cool think about it is coming out here and skiing with some of these younger skiers. It gives you some great hope for the future. These kids are shredding. They gave me a run. The kid in my first dual was really good. It’s fun to ski with those younger competitors and see what we got coming up.”

Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME) and Tom Rowley (Long Beach, NY) went head to head in the small final. Cota stayed strong in the middle section while Rowley blew out, securing himself the third place spot.


Men's podium (l to r): Joe Discoe, Brad Wilson, Jeremy Cota. (U.S. Freestyle Ski Team)

With the conclusion of the 2016 season, the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team will head back to Park City, UT to rest up before summer training begins.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Mikaela Matthews and Brad Wilson took home dual moguls national titles in the last event of the 2016 USANA U.S. Freestyle Championships.
  • It was Matthews’ first national title and Wilson’s third.
  • Steamboat local Jaelin Kauf was second and Nessa Dziemian third for the women.
  • Joe Discoe was second and Jeremy Cota third for the men.

QUOTES

Mikaela Matthews
Jaelin’s fast, so I knew I was going to have to push myself. I was pretty excited to just ski my run. It was a clean, solid run and it was enough to give me my first national title.

I was a little disappointed after singles day. I came in with bib number one and finished sixth. I’m definitely excited to work this summer and get my singles run up to the same caliber of my duals runs. For me, I don’t think as much in duals. I just go and don’t hold anything back. I ski fast, I ski hard, I go big. I lose that fear and that aspect of control. In my singles runs, I try to over control everything and make every turn perfect. But things happen so much better when you don’t overthink. We can ski faster than we can think, so if you’re thinking, you’re already behind it.

Brad Wilson
A national title is always awesome to have and it’s a great way to end the season. Another really cool think about it is coming out here and skiing with some of these younger skiers. It gives you some great hope for the future. These kids are shredding. They gave me a run. The kid in my first dual was really good. It’s fun to ski with those younger competitors and see what we got coming up.

I love Steamboat. This season, I was really looking forward to coming here. We showed up and it was cloudy and snowy. But here we are now, enjoying what nationals should be: a fun, sunny bump competition. It’s one of those places you always look forward to coming to.

RESULTS
Women’s Dual Moguls
Men’s Dual Moguls

 


 


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