PARK CITY, UT (Jan. 21) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced the nomination of nine moguls and aerials athletes to the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team. The team will be led by reigning Olympic Champion Hannah Kearney and Olympians Patrick Deneen, Heather McPhie, Emily Cook and Ashley Caldwell. The athletes were nominated based on results on the International Ski Federation World Cup.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association announced the nomination of nine moguls and aerials athletes to compete in the Olympic Winter Games.
- The team is headlined by 2010 Olympic champion Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT).
- Kearney took three World Cup wins this season and five podiums.
- Patrick Deneen (Cle Elum, WA) was 2009 World Champion and a 2010 Olympian.
- Wilson, brother of 2010 bronze medalist Bryon, clinched his Olympic spot with two podiums last week including the USANA Freestyle Cup in Lake Placid and will be making his Olympic debut.
- Ashley Caldwell (Ashburn, VA) was the youngest Olympian from Team USA in 2010 and made her return from injury with a podium in China last month.
- The moguls athletes will now head to Steamboat Springs for a final training camp and official sendoff on Saturday, Jan. 25.
- The aerials athletes now go to Park City, UT, for training at the 2002 Olympic venue at Deer Valley before an official sendoff at the resort on Saturday, Jan. 25.
- The U.S. Olympic Committee will formally name the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team on January 27.
Men's Moguls
Patrick Deneen, Cle Elum, WA (12/25/1987) *
Bradley Wilson, Butte, MT (6/5/1992)
Women's Moguls
Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT (2/26/1986) *
Heidi Kloser, Vail, CO (9/18/1992)
Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT (5/28/1984) *
Eliza Outtrim, Hamden, CT (7/18/1985)
Men's Aerials
Mac Bohonnon, Madison, CT (3/27/1995)
Women's Aerials
Ashley Caldwell, Ashburn, VA (9/14/1993) *
Emily Cook, Belmont, MA (7/1/1979) *
* Competed in past Olympics
Official competition uniform: Columbia
QUOTES
Todd Schirman, USSA Freestyle Director
Our Olympic aerials and moguls athletes represent a mix of veteran champions. It blends a mix of veteran champions like Hannah Kearney and Patrick Deneen with younger athletes who are starting to distinguish themselves like Rookie of the Year Mac Bohonnon. Every athlete on this team has shown that they can ski onto the podium against international fields and are well prepared to compete in Sochi.
All nominations are subject to approval by the U.S. Olympic Committee.