With the 2010 Olympics less than a month away, world-class freestylers took to the bumps and air at
Deer Valley Resort for the Visa Freestyle International World Cup – Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge
(Jan 14-16).
WHO TOOK THE PODIUM?
MOGULS: It was a huge day for the U.S. women’s team on the moguls taking home two medals and six places in the top 12. In front of a huge hometown crowd, Heather McPhie (Park City, UT) won the first World Cup title of her career, tying for first with Canada’s Jennifer Heil. The win moved Heather to No. 2 in the women’s moguls world rankings. Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA), who won a silver medal in 2002 on the same Deer Valley course, took third. On the men’s side, six U.S. men made it to the final 16 with Patrick Deneen (Cle Elum, WA) leading the U.S. by taking fourth. The U.S. men placed four in the top nine. After Deneen, Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME) was sixth, Michael Morse (Duxbury, MA) eighth, and David Babic (Washington, VT) ninth.
AERIALS: The world’s best freestyle aerialists took to the sky on Deer Valley’s White Owl run. Overall leader Anton Kushnir won for the second time in four World Cup events, landing two variations of a triple back-flip with four rotations. American Dylan Ferguson was sixth among the men nailing his perfect back double-full, full, full for his best World Cup finish. World Cup winner Jeret “Speedy” Peterson (Boise, ID) failed to land his signature five-twist Hurricane jump and finished 12th. Australia’s Lydia Lassila nailed her first win in nearly a year with a new tricked jump—a back layout, double full, full-a triple flip.
DUAL MOGULS: World Cup leader Jennifer Heil did what she does best to take her second gold of the weekend, while Heather McPhie, Michelle Roark, Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) and Shannon Bahrke loaded the top finishes claiming the next four places. There were familiar faces at the top of the men’s moguls podium with France’s Guilbaut Colas and World Cup leader Dale Begg-Smith taking the gold and silver, respectively. Canada’s Alexandre Bilodeau took the bronze after failing to qualify for the finals Thursday. American skier Jeremy Cota upped his speed, turns and air to finish seventh in his second World Cup start, and Patrick Deneen, the U.S. Olympic trials winner, placed ninth.
OLYMPIC TEAM SELECTION:
So who’s in and who’s still hopeful for a 2010 Olympic team berth?
For the women’s team, 2006 Olympian and reigning World Cup overall champion Hannah Kearney secured one spot in last month’s U.S. Olympic trials and Heather McPhie is now in good shape after taking a gold and silver this weekend. Lacy Schnoor has already locked up a spot, while Shelly Robertson, Emily Cook (Belmont, MA) and Michelle Roark, whose bronze medal Saturday upped her standings, may be vying for the 4th Olympic team spot. Based on the updated World Cup standings, a top-10 skier may be left off the American team.
Patrick Deneen is the only one on the men’s team guaranteed an Olympic spot. Bryon Wilson (Butte, MT) is essentially “in” based on his two silvers last month. Park City-ite, Nate Roberts had a tough go this weekend coming off a knee injury. “Hopefuls” are looking for at least a top five finish in Lake Placid.
The Lake Placid Freestyle World Cup next weekend will be the last qualifier for these international athletes to gain points to improve their standings and keep their Olympic dream alive.
nday through much of next week. That means coverage at Deer Valley, Park City and The Canyons should be perfect for Sundance. While Sundance is great time to watch for Hollywood stars cruising Main Street, its an even better time to ski. The lines are short and the mountains are wide open. So when you’re looking to
The holiday season in Park City is always one of the most exciting times of the year. The town is busy, the ski season is in full swing and everyone, locals and visitors alike, are excited to to spend as much time on the mountain as possible.
We are getting busy for the holidays once again and it looks like we will be sold out of equipment from all our vendors – K2, Rossignol, Volkl, Dynastar, Blizzard, Nordica, Atomic and Salomon. We have had a lot of people requesting specific brands and specific skis like the Volkl AC30 and the K2 Xplorer for men as well the Luv series – True, Free and Lotta from K2 for women.
Sundance in Park City!
The 2010 Sundance Film Festival is under way and the town is filled with movie stars, musicians, directors, producers, press and lots of festival-goers. The first weekend of Sundance always draws the biggest names, with movie premieres and numerous exclusive parties and events. Some of the celebrities in town are here to promote movies, while others have come into town just for the social scene. Celebrities spotted around town have been, Ben Affleck, Adrien Brody, Amanda Peete, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jon Hamm, among others. Socialites Khloe Kardashian and Paris Hilton along with musicians Nas and Joan Jett have been in town too!
The skiing during Sundance is usually some of the best of the season because most of the festival-goers are not here to hit the slopes. And this year has proven to be no exception. While the town is packed, the resorts are empty! In the last 72 hours, Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley and The Canyons are all reporting between 27 and 34 inches and about 50 inches since Monday!
Visiting Park City during this time means you get the best of both worlds. You can ski fresh powder all day and go out at night to experience the exciting atmosphere of Park City during Sundance.
When you come to Park City and if you want to ski any of the three resorts – Park City Moutain, The Canyons or Deer Valley remember that all your ski or snowboard equipment can be delivered to you in the comfort of your lodging. Simply leave all your ski and snowboard gear at home and have all your rental equipment brought to you between movies, meals or cocktails. Skis on the Run will bring everything to you from ski clothing to thermals, gloves and of course equipment from any of our 8 manufacturers, including – Atomic, Blizzard, Dynastar, K2, Nordica, Rossignol, Salomon and Volkl.
For more information on the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, click here!