BEIDA LAKE, China (Dec. 18, 2016) – The FIS Freestyle aerials World Cup opening weekend concluded on Sunday afternoon in Beida Lake with a team event. The U.S. team, consisting of Kiley McKinnon (Madison, CT), Mac Bohonnon (Madison, CT) and Alex Bowen (Springville, NY), posted a score of 234.93, finishing fifth.
The format for the aerials team event includes a qualifying round that counts as an individual World Cup finish. Bowen was the top U.S. men’s qualifier, landing sixth with a full, double full, full and a score of 105.75. McKinnon was the top U.S. women’s qualifier in 14th. Australia’s Danielle Scott and China’s Guangpu Qi earned valuable World Cup points as the top finishers in the qualifying rounds.
As the strongest jumpers in the qualifying round, McKinnon, Bowen and Bohonnon were selected to represent the U.S. in the team event. The first final round has six teams. Each athlete took one jump for their team and their scores combined for a total team score. Bohonnon had the best scoring jump in the team round, landing a full, full, full for a score of 91.85. But the U.S. team’s total score of 234.93 wasn’t enough to advance them to the final round of three teams.
“This week in China has been productive for us, but we just weren’t competition ready,” said head aerial coach Todd Ossian. “One good take away is that everyone got more degree of difficulty this week. There were some great jumps, we were just lacking consistency.”
The Russians took home the top spot in the team round with a score of 293.75. Team Canada was second with a score of 290.03 followed by Team Australia with a score of 280.78.
The FIS Freestyle World Cup tour takes a break for the holidays before returning to action Jan. 13-14 in Lake Placid. NY.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The U.S. aerials team finished fifth in the Beida Lake team event.
- In qualifying rounds, which counted as a World Cup finish, Alex Bowen was the top U.S. men’s finisher in sixth.
- Kiley McKinnon was the top U.S. women’s finisher in 14th.
- Based on qualification results, Bowen, McKinnon and Mac Bohonnon were selected to represented the U.S. in the team event.
- Bohonnon posted the highest U.S. score in the team round, a 91.85.
- Team Russia brought home the win with a total score of 293,75, followed by Team Canada and Team Australia.
- A full event replay is available at www.nbcsports.com/live.
- The FIS Freestyle World Cup tour continues Jan. 13-14 in Lake Placid, NY.
QUOTES
Todd Ossian, Head Aerials Coach
This week in China has been productive for us, but we just weren’t competition ready. One good take away is that everyone got more degree of difficulty this week. There were some great jumps, we were just lacking consistency. We have another week of training coming up in Park City and feel confident that we will be prepared for the Lake Placid World Cup in January.
RESULTS
Men’s Final Results
Women’s Final Results
Team Final Results
Men’s World Cup Standings
Women’s World Cup Standings
