INAWASHIRO, Japan (Feb. 23) – Rookie of the Year Bradley Wilson (Butte, MT) earned his career first podium in single moguls with a second place finish on a slick course in Inawashiro. Wilson was able to stay tight and in control on the fast course and finished only .10 points behind the winner. Sho Kashima (South Lake Tahoe, CA) finished a respectable sixth in his first competition back since a knee injury sidelined him last season. Mikael Kingsbury and Audrey Robichaud both of Canada took the respective wins.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bradley Wilson (Butte, MT) earned his career best second place finish in single moguls.
- Wilson's top air was a back full and his bottom air was a back X.
- Wilson also won 100,000 ¥ for highest turn scores in finals.
- Sho Kashima (South Lake Tahoe, CA) finished sixth in his first event back after a knee injury sidelined him late last season.
- Eliza Outtrim (Hamden, CT) was the first U.S. woman landing in seventh.
- Olympic champion Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) failed to make finals and ended the competition in 23rd after skiing out of her line and landing back in her top air.
- It was the first competition this season Kearney has worn the yellow bib, reclaiming it after winning the Sochi World Cup last week.
- The finish put Kearney three points behind Justine Dufour-Lapointe of Canada who reclaimed the lead.
- Fast snow in the men's qualification round, led to small mistakes from Bryon Wilson (Butte, MT) and Dylan Walczyk (Breckenridge, CO) landing them just out of the top 16
- The action continues with a dual moguls competition on Saturday night.
- The team is looking ahead to World Championships in Voss, Norway, March 5-10.
QUOTES
Bradley Wilson
When I woke up this morning there was about 3-4 inches of fresh show on the ground. It made the course wet and definitely more difficult to ski. I went out there today and was doing my best to ski conservatively and really focus on my turns. I was able to keep my skiing under control and keep my turns clean and tight.
If you're a mogul skier you've heard of Inawashiro. Everyone knows this course, it's so difficult! The most difficult course on tour so to be able to pull out a second place here is pretty sweet.
Today I just focused on skiing my own run. I get in my head sometimes in singles. When I don't have someone right next to me, pushing me I tend to watch what other people are doing – how fast their going, how big their air was. Today I just focused on my run and that as enough to get me into second place.
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