Park City, UT (Dec. 6, 2015) – After starting the season at World Cups across the globe, the U.S. Freestyle Team is back in the USA to compete at the Visa Freestyle International at Deer Valley Resort from Jan. 8-10. A strong group of moguls and aerials athletes will be on the hunt for top podium spots, including Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT), Bryon Wilson (Butte, MT), Mac Bohonnon (Madison, CT) and Ashley Caldwell (Ashburn, VA). All events will be streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra.
This World Cup is both an athlete and fan favorite, with all events taking place at night under the lights. The White Owl aerials ski run and the Champion moguls ski run give athletes a bird’s-eye view of the thousands of fans there to watch them compete. Each night wraps up with a fireworks display.
Fans will be able to watch their favorite aerials and moguls athletes compete under the lights (Getty Images/Mike Ehrmann)
“Deer Valley has a reputation for being one of the best World Cup sites,” said aerials team member Alex Bowen (Springville, NY). “I live and train here in Park City for most of the year, so it’s really fun to perform in front of the hometown crowd.”
Both the moguls and aerials teams have rosters stacked with veterans and up-and-coming athletes, including mogul skiers Morgan Schild (PIttsford, NY) and Troy Tully (Pleasantville, NY), who earned World Cup starts after winning U.S. Selections in Winter Park, CO last month. Fans can expect to see great skiing from all of the athletes.
Jonathan Lillis competes during last year's men's aerials final. (Getty Images/Mike Ehrmann)
The excellent course and the atmosphere put everyone at ease and inspire them to do their best,” said head moguls coach Garth Hager. “The veterans use this energy to focus on giving the crowd an exciting performance. We have some young skiers with no expectations who often step up and ski their run in the moment and could have a breakthrough on the World Cup. It is all about embracing the energy and good feeling Deer Valley brings.”
Visa Freestyle International action kicks off on Thursday night with the men’s and women’s aerials competition. Finals begin at 10:00 p.m. EST.
Follow @usfreestyle on Twitter and Facebook and hashtag #DVFreestyle.
EVENT SCHEDULE (All times in MST.)
Wednesday, January 7, 2015:
3:45 p.m. – Opening Press Conference with the U.S. Ski Team (Bald Eagle room, second level of Snow Park Lodge)
7 p.m. – A free live concert featuring Chris Robinson Brotherhood, followed by a fireworks display (lower Main Street, Park City)
Thursday, January 8, 2015:
2:45 to 3:20 p.m. – Ladies’ Aerial Qualifications (White Owl ski run)
5 to 5:50 p.m. – Men’s Aerial Qualifications (White Owl ski run)
7:45 to 8 p.m. – Aerial athlete showcase
8 to 9 p.m. – Ladies’ and Men’s Aerial Finals
9 p.m. – Awards and fireworks in the competition venue
Friday, January 9, 2015:
3 to 4 p.m. – Ladies’ Mogul Qualifications (Champion ski run)
5 to 6:25 p.m. – Men’s Mogul Qualifications (Champion ski run)
7 to 8 p.m. –Ladies’ and Men’s Mogul Finals
8 p.m. – Awards and fireworks in the competition venue
Saturday, January 10, 2015:
4:55 to 6:40 p.m. – Ladies’ and Mens’ Dual Mogul Prelim Rounds (Champion ski run)
7 to 8:20 p.m. – Ladies’ and Men’s Dual Mogul Finals (Champion ski run)
8:25 p.m. – Awards and fireworks in the competition venue
LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE
All events will be streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra.
Thursday, Jan. 8: 10-11:50 p.m. EST; Men’s and Women’s Aerials Final
Friday, Jan. 9: 9-10 p.m. EST; Men’s and Women’s Moguls Final
Saturday, Jan 10: 9-10:20 p.m. EST; Men’s and Women’s Dual Moguls Final
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Sunday, Jan. 11: 1 p.m. EST; Aerials and Moguls, NBC
Saturday, Jan. 17: 4 p.m. EST; Dual Moguls, NBC
AERIALS ATHLETES
Men
Mac Bohonnon (Madison, CT)
Alex Bowen (Springville, NY)
Kendal Johnson (McFarland, WI)
Jon Lillis (Rochester, NY)
Eric Loughran (Pelham, NH)
Mike Rossi (Long Valley, NJ)
Zachary Surdell (Marcellus, MI)
Nevin Brown (Streetsboro, OH)
Women
Ashley Caldwell (Ashburn, VA)
Si Ning Chan (Maine, NY)
Kiley McKinnon (Madison, CT)
Elle Gaudette (Maple Grove, MN)
Erin Griss (Las Vegas, NV)
Madison Varmette (Stafford, VA)
MOGULS ATHLETES
Men
Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME)
Patrick Deneen (Cle Elum, WA)
Joe Discoe (Telluride, CO)
Sho Kashima (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
Troy Murphy (Bethel, ME)
Bruce Perry Jr. (Winter Park, CO)
Tom Rowley (Long Beach, NY)
Troy Tully (Pleasantville, NY)
Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY)
Bryon Wilson (Butte, MN)
Women
Nessa Dziemian (East Hampstead, NH)
Ali Kariotis (Tiburon, CA)
Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT)
Mikaela Matthews (Frisco, CO)
Keaton McCargo (Telluride, CO)
K.C. Oakley (Piedmont, CA)
Morgan Schild (Pittsford, NY)
Sophia Schwartz (Sun Valley, ID)
Lane Stoltzner (Telluride, CO)
