LAKE PLACID, NY (Jan. 19, 2017) – After hosting the Putnam Investment Freestyle Cup last weekend, aerials action continued at the Olympic Jumping Complex in Lake Placid, NY with the U.S. Freestyle Aerials National Championships. Kiley McKinnon (Madison, CT) and Mac Bohonnon (Madison, CT) led the U.S. team, both winning the national titles.
The U.S. team was joined by competitors from Russia, Canada, Great Britain, Kazakstan and Switzerland. Stanislav Nitkin and Liubov Nikitina, both from Russia, took the wins for the day. McKinnon and Bohonnon were the top U.S. finishers, each landing a second and third place respectively. Bohonnon competed with a double full, full, full and finished with a score of 109.05. McKinnon competed with a full, double full and finished with a score of 81.42, earning her first national title.
“I’m really excited to have the title of national champion,” said McKinnon. “I’ve been second place the past few years, so it feels good to land my jumps and earn the title. It’s definitely given me a boost of confidence.”
Coming off a second place finish at the World Cup last weekend, Bohonnon was carrying momentum into nationals. Changing conditions made it difficult to get the speeds just right, but he was able to lay down yet another set of solid jumps.
“I was very pleased with the way I jumped today,” said Bohonnon. “Changing conditions made our speeds inconsistent, and I left a little bit on the table, but I was happy to land all my competition jumps and come away with the title.”
L to R: Eric Loughran, Ashley Caldwell, Kiley McKinnon, Mac Bohonnon, Winter Vinecki and Chris Lillis were the top U.S. finishers at nationals.
Ashley Caldwell (Ashburn, VA), the winner of last weekend’s World Cup on the women’s side, accomplished another impressive feat on the Lake Placid jump site. During the super final round, she became the first U.S. woman to complete a full, double full, full in competition. She is the second woman in the world to land the trick.
“My coaches and I had been talking about me throwing it [the full, double full, full] for a while,” said Caldwell. “Today, the landing hill was soft, and I did a nice full, full, full earlier in the day. So, we decided to go for it. When I got up there to jump I was like ‘oh wow, this is going to happen.’ I was terrified - but it was awesome.”
The U.S. aerials team will return home to Park City, UT for training prior to the next World Cup, the Visa Freestyle International, at Deer Valley Resort, UT Feb. 2-4.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Kiley McKinnon and Mac Bohonnon each landed a national title at the U.S. Freestyle Aerials National Championships in Lake Placid, NY.
- It was McKinnon’s first national title and Bohonnon’s second.
- Teammate Ashley Caldwell, who finished fifth, became the first U.S. woman and second woman in the world ever to complete a full, double full, full in competition.
- Other top finishers for the U.S. men included Eric Loughran in fifth, Chris Lillis in eighth and Jon Lillis in 10th.
- Other top finishers for the U.S. women included Winter Vinecki in seventh, Kate Telles in ninth and Elle Gaudette in 10th.
QUOTES
Kiley McKinnon
I’m really excited to have the title of national champion. I’ve been second place the past few years, so it feels good to land my jumps and earn the title. It’s definitely given me a boost of confidence.
Mac Bohonnon
I was very pleased with the way I jumped today. Changing conditions made our speeds inconsistent, and I left a little bit on the table, but I was happy to land all my competition jumps and come away with the title.
Ashley Caldwell
My coaches and I had been talking about me throwing it [the full, double full, full] for a while. Today, the landing hill was soft, and I did a nice full, full, full earlier in the day. So, we decided to go for it. When I got up there to jump I was like ‘oh wow, this is going to happen.’ I was terrified - but it was awesome.
RESULTS
Women’s Results
Men’s Results
