MOSCOW, Russia (March 3, 2016) – The U.S. Freestyle Ski Team moguls athletes will close out the 2015-16 season this weekend with a dual moguls city event in Moscow. This is the first-ever moguls event to be held on scaffolding, set up just outside Moscow’s city center. The same venue was used for an aerials World Cup back in February. The top 24 athletes in the current World Cup standings will compete, with 10 U.S. athletes looking to improve their standing before season’s end.
The U.S. team is coming off a strong weekend in Tazawako, Japan, with podiums from Brad Wilson and Tom Rowley and two top 10 finishes for Mikaela Matthews. Rowley is currently leading the U.S. men in the World Cup standings in 10th and Matthews is leading the women in fifth.
While the World Cup aerialists have become familiar with competing on scaffolding at events in Beijing and Moscow, the set up is new territory for the mogul skiers. Matthews found the new atmosphere a bit intimidating at first, but began to feel more comfortable throughout training on Thursday.
“The scaffolding structure is visually intimidating, but once I put my skis on and step into the start gate, it feels surprisingly normal,” said Matthews. “There are certainly some features in the course that stand out compared to a “normal” course - the top air is quick, the bottom jump transition is really long, and the whole course is very short. But the course skis really well and it turned into a fun and productive day of training. I am excited to see how big the crowd will be cheering for us on Saturday!”
The dual moguls competition begins at 8:50 a.m. EST with women’s and men’s qualification rounds. Finals will begin at 11 a.m. EST. Live scoring is available via FIS Freestyle.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The last FIS Freestyle moguls World Cup of the season takes place this weekend on March 5 in Moscow.
- The skiers will compete in dual moguls on a scaffolding structure just outside the city center.
- It is the first FIS moguls event to be held on scaffolding.
- Mikaela Matthews and Tom Rowley are currently leading the U.S. in the World Cup standings, sitting fifth and tenth respectively.
- Competition beings at 8:50 a.m. EST with qualifications. Finals begin at 11 a.m. EST.
- Live scoring is available via FIS Freestyle.
QUOTES
Mikaela Matthews
The scaffolding structure is visually intimidating, but once I put my skis on and step into the start gate, it feels surprisingly normal.vThere are certainly some features in the course that stand out compared to a “normal” course - the top air is quick, the bottom jump transition is really long, and the whole course is very short. But the course skis really well and it turned into a fun and productive day of training. I am excited to see how big the crowd will be cheering for us on Saturday!
U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Starters – Moscow, Russia
Men
Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club)
Joe Discoe (Telluride, CO; Telluride Freestyle Club)
Tom Rowley (Long Beach, NY; Hunter Mountain Freestyle Team)
Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY; Ski and Snowboard Club Vail)
Brad Wilson (Butte, MT; Wasatch Freestyle, Deer Valley Resort)
Women
Nessa Dziemian (East Hampstead, NH; Carrabassett Valley Academy)
Ali Kariotis (Tiburon, CA; Squaw Valley Freestyle Team)
Jaelin Kauf (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club)
Mikaela Matthews (Frisco, CO; Team Summit)
Keaton McCargo (Telluride, CO; Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club)
