Freestyle

Three Podium Weekend for U.S. Aerialists

by
USSA
2014-12-21 07:49
 

BEIJING, China (Dec. 21, 2014) – Connecticut natives Kiley McKinnon and Mac Bohonnon (both Madison, CT) each put down personal bests to earn World Cup podium finishes during the individual portion of the first-ever aerials team event at the FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup opener. McKinnon found herself on the podium for the second time during this World Cup with a second place finish. Bohonnon, who finished 10th in the individual competition yesterday, improved his jumping and landed himself in third place.

“My qualification jump was the best jump I’ve ever done,” said Bohonnon “It was my personal high score, which was sweet for me. I was psyched on that. It was cool to get on the podium.”

The qualification round counted for individual World Cup points. McKinnon is now second in the World Cup aerials standings after two events.

Bohonnon, McKinnon and teammate Mike Rossi were selected to represent the USA in the team competition. While McKinnon was able to land her full, double full (two flips with three twists), scoring a 90 in the team competition, Bohonnon and Rossi just barely walked out of their skis on the landing, knocking down their scores. Team USA finished fourth behind Team China 1, Russia and Belarus.

“Kiley, Mac and Mike all put down incredible jumps in the team round, but the landings just didn’t go our way,” said coach Matt Saunders. “This was a great trip for our team with three World Cup podiums. The whole team had an incredible week of training, everyone is jumping very well and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.”

The aerials team returns to action at Utah’s Deer Valley Resort for the Visa Freestyle International on Jan. 8.

“The past few days have been some of the best days of jumping I’ve had,” said Bohonnon. “Our whole team is jumping really well. Deer Valley should be an awesome competition.”

 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kiley McKinnon and Mac Bohonnon each earned second and third place podium spots in the individual qualifiers portion of the first-ever FIS Freestyle World Cup team event, where the USA finished fourth.
  • It was McKinnon’s second podium of the weekend, putting her in second in the FIS Freestyle World Cup aerials standings.
  • McKinnon scored a personal best (95.52) on her full, double full (two flips, three twists) in the individual qualification round.
  • Bohonnon scored a personal best (119.47) with his full, double full, full (three flips, four twists) in the individual qualification round.
  • Individual athlete scores from the qualification rounds were used to determine seeding for the team competition and counted for individual World Cup points.
  • Bohonnon, McKinnon and teammate Mike Rossi represented the USA in the team competition, finishing fourth.

 

QUOTES

Mac Bohonnon
My qualification jump was the best jump I’ve ever done. It was my personal high score, which was sweet for me. I was psyched on that. It was cool to get on the podium. The team event was a blast and hopefully we will get to do something like it again.

The past few days have been some of the best days of jumping I’ve had. I’m psyched about where my jumping is at. Our whole team is jumping really well. Deer Valley should be an awesome competition and a good competition for our team.

Kiley McKinnon
My full double full in the qualification round was the best jump I’d ever done. I landed [the team jump] and scored a 90, so it went well. I’m really happy with how the whole competition went.

Matt Saunders, Aerials Coach
Today was a great day. The team jumped really well. Kiley landed a great full double full in the team round. Mike and Mac put down incredible jumps but unforutenly both walked out of their skis on the landing. This was a great trip for our team with three podiums. The whole team had an incredible week of training, everyone is jumping very well and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.

RESULTS

Men’s Qualification Results (individual World Cup points)
Womens’ Qualification Results (individual World Cup points)
Team Results

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