CHANGCHUN, China (Jan. 4) – Olympians Emily Cook (Belmont, MA) and Dylan Ferguson (Amesbury, MA) will lead the U.S. Freestyle Aerials team into the 2013 FIS Freestyle World Cup opener Jan. 5 in Changchun, China. Fueled by a strong start with four podiums at the Columbia Super Continental Cup in Park City, UT last week, the team anticipates upping the degree of difficulty in China with more U.S. athletes competing triples than ever before. The tour debuts in the U.S. Jan. 17-19 in Lake Placid, NY with the USANA Lake Placid Freestyle Cup.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The 2013 FIS Freestyle World Cup tour begins Jan. 5 with men's and women's aerials events in Changchun, China.
- Olympians Emily Cook (Belmont, MA) and Dylan Ferguson (Amesbury, MA) lead a team that also includes Columbia Super Continental Cup podium finisher Jonathon Lillis (Rochester, NY) and reigning U.S. Championships silver medalist Mike Rossi (Long Valley, NJ).
- Olympian and World Cup winner Ashley Caldwell (Ashburn, VA) is out for the season following a crash last month in Park City.
- Scotty Bahrke (South Lake Tahoe, CA) will also miss the season in order to focus on the upcoming Olympic season.
- Following the aerials opener, the team will head to Val Saint-Come, Canada Jan. 12 before meeting up with the moguls team Jan. 17-19 for the USANA Lake Placid Freestyle Cup.
QUOTES
Todd Schirman, Freestyle Program Director
The athletes are jumping well after a great prep period and posted strong results at the Columbia Super Continental Cup at the Utah Olympic Park prior to traveling to China. We have several new athletes in China and this will be great international experience as we head towards the Olympic test event in Sochi and the upcoming World Championships. China always has a strong event and we are looking forward to getting the season started.
Scotty Bahrke, Aerials athlete
After a lot of thought this summer I've decided to take the season off from competitive skiing. The decision wasn't an easy one but it's led me to some great new opportunities! I'm now a student at Westminster College and couldn't be more excited to start. This time off will allow me to refocus and be even more prepared for the 2014 Games.
LINKS
Facebook
Twitter
USSA Network
HELP THE TEAM
Athletes like Dylan Ferguson and his U.S. Ski Team teammates rely on the support of the American public. Click here to support the team.
