U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Snowbird announced today that Snowbird will host the 2021 U.S. Freestyle Moguls National Championships March 22-26, featuring moguls and dual moguls competition. This marks the first time in 25 years that Snowbird will host the event. Snowbird has previously held Freestyle National Championships in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows was originally scheduled to host the 2021 U.S. Freestyle Moguls National Championships. However, due to local COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the California resort is unable to run the event this year.

“We are excited to bring the 2021 U.S. Freestyle Moguls National Championships back to Snowbird,” said Ashley Deibold, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Sport Development Senior Manager. “Snowbird has a long history of supporting freestyle skiing and we look forward to bringing the nation’s best mogul skiers together for this important event in the development pipeline. We’re grateful to Snowbird for the opportunity to keep this event on the calendar during such a challenging season.”

Snowbird’s freestyle history extends back to 1976 when the resort hosted the Professional Freestyle Association’s World Championships. Snowbird has hosted a regional freestyle event annually since 1981, 13 U.S. Freestyle Moguls Selections events, 12 Freestyle Moguls NorAms and two U.S. National Freestyle Moguls Junior Championships. The resort is also home to Wasatch Freestyle, which can trace its history back to 1988.

“Snowbird’s iconic terrain has been home to world championship events for almost 50 years now,” said Snowbird President and General Manager, Dave Fields. “We look forward to supporting both the present and future of freestyle skiing through hosting this exciting event.”

Due to COVID-19 event and resort operations protocols and taking into consideration the health and safety of resort staff, event staff and the athletes, the event will be closed to the public. The 2021 U.S. Freestyle Moguls National Championships is contingent on local and state health department approvals based on existing and future COVID-19 rules and regulations. FIS, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the local organizing committee, and Snowbird are taking a unified approach consistent with guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities.

Media Note
All media coverage must be conducted remotely. Photography will be provided on competition days. For more information contact:

Snowbird
Sarah Sherman, ssherman@snowbird.com

U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Lara Carlton, lara.carlton@usskiandsnowboard.org

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About Snowbird
Averaging more than 500 inches of annual snowfall per year, Snowbird is North America’s most accessible alpine resort destination located just 29 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport. Featuring the iconic Aerial Tram with access to 2,500 acres of legendary terrain, Snowbird provides year-round big mountain experiences at the top of Utah. Snowbird is part of POWDR, a family owned and operated adventure lifestyle company. For more information, conditions, events and more, visit snowbird.com.

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2021, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org

Jessie Diggins made history Sunday, becoming only the second American to win the FIS Cross Country overall World Cup Crystal Globe, and the first American woman to win the title. But in her true “deep into the pain cave” gritty fashion, she also secured the distance discipline World Cup Crystal Globe following her fourth-place finish in the 30k freestyle pursuit in the final race of the season. 

"I knew the (World Cup) distance globe was definitely up in the air going into this weekend," Diggins said, "and I knew I was going to have to fight really really hard to keep it. I cross the finish line Saturday and Sunday with nothing left which is always the goal for me."

Sunday’s race provided a unique opportunity with a 30k rolling downhill point-to-point race that followed mainly along the profile of the prestigious Engadin Skimarathon route. The women started in St. Moritz, Switzerland, finishing in the small town of S-Chanf, Switzerland. Saturday’s 10k classic winner Yulia Stupak of Russia started first in the pursuit format, with Diggins starting fifth, at 21 seconds back. 

The lead pack formed quickly with Stupak, Diggins, Norway’s Heidi Weng, Sweden’s Ebba Andersson, and Germany’s Laura Gimmler. However, Gimler fell off the lead pace on the first sustained climb. Meanwhile, Rosie Brennan, who was fourth in the overall World Cup and distance standing heading into Sunday’s finalé pushed the pace to catch the chase group about a minute back of the leaders.

“I started hard to try to bridge up to a pack in front knowing that the flats would be easier in a pack,” Brennan said. “We were treated to a wicked headwind and fresh snow, making for some very challenging conditions.”

Diggins, Stupak, Andersson, and Weng continued to push the pace, with Andersson putting in a dig at 2.3k to go. Her effort was countered by Weng who was able to build a small advantage with less than 2k to go over the top of the final climb. Only Andersson was able to keep close contact as Diggins and Stupak were left to fight it out for the remaining podium spot in the final kilometer.

Weng took the victory, her 23rd career World Cup win, with Andersson second. Diggins and Stupak played cat and mouse in the final kilometer with Diggins getting the initial jump, but Stupak was able to come around her for the final podium spot. However, with her fourth-place finish, Diggins secured the World Cup distance title by 13 points ahead of Andersson.

Brennan finished 12th to wrap up her most successful season ever, finishing fourth in the overall World Cup standings and fourth in the distance standings. “Last year, I was 15th (overall) and that was my best ranking to date, so to have moved up to fourth is a massive improvement and shows some of the big steps I made this season,” Brennan said. “It's incredibly challenging to put together a perfect season when you pack your bag in November and live out of a suitcase for four to five months. I have incredible respect for how Jessie did that this year and am inspired to keep trying to put together good races throughout the whole season.”

Katharine Ogden wrapped up her season, finishing 33rd Sunday, while Sophia Laukli finished 39th to finish a stellar season that saw her competing in her first World Cup races and the 2021 World Championships. Julia Kern was 41st and Hailey Swirbul was 53rd.

For Diggins, the World Cup Crystal Globes are icing on the cake for a season in which the entire Davis U.S. Cross Country Team endured numerous challenges. But their perseverance led to six World Cup victories, 13 World Cup podiums, and countless personal and career-best performances.

"It was really really nice to finish this season of my wildest dreams and it happened because of the team," Diggins said. "We have so much incredible support behind the scenes. We have people back in the States, and an amazing crew over here. Through the four months that we were over here we really just held tight together as a team and took care of one another and had a great atmosphere. Everyone worked so hard and put their heart and soul into this, and I couldn't be more grateful. The chance to race at all is amazing, but the chance to have a season like this, with a team like this is just incredible. I couldn't be more thankful to be part of this team and get to celebrate this thing that we've achieved together."

In the men’s 50k race, three Americans finished in the top 30 with Gus Schumacher skiing in the front group and battling to a 20th-place finish to wrap up his first full season competing on the World Cup Tour. Scott Patterson was 25th, David Norris was 26th. Ben Ogden was 51st, Hunter Wonders 53rd, Kevin Bolger 67th, and Johnny Hagenbuch was 69th in his first World Cup weekend of racing.

“So nice to end on a positive note,” said Schumacher, who finished the season ranked 30th in the overall World Cup standings, and 25th in the World Cup distance standings. “I worked hard with the U.S. boys at the beginning to catch the main pack, and then skied easy in that big group until about halfway, and then was basically covering attacks for the rest of the race.”

Norway took the top two spots with Simen Krueger and Christer Holund going 1-2. Sweden’s Jens Burman was third, and Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov finished sixth to wrap up the overall World Cup title, and the World Cup distance title. 

Just making it to the finish line for Diggins and her Davis U.S. Cross Country Team teammates was a victory in and of itself following a chaotic season completed in the shadow of a worldwide pandemic. Five World Cup events were canceled this season during the pandemic, while others were rescheduled. 

“A real highlight for me is that our women's team finished second in the nation's cup!” Brennan said. “That shows the depth we are building and momentum we have behind us right now, not to mention the resiliency we all showed navigating one of the more stressful and uncertain seasons I have ever experienced.”

RESULTS
Women’s 30k pursuit
Men’s 50k pursuit

FINAL STANDINGS
Women’s World Cup Overall
Women’s World Cup distance
Women’s World Cup Sprint
Men’s World Cup Overall
Men’s World Cup distance
Men’s World Cup Sprint

The FIS Freestyle Moguls World Cup Tour came to a close on Sunday with the cancellation of Dual Moguls World Cup Finals in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Athletes were hoping for one last shot in the start gates, but unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans as weather and heavy fog prevented the competition from running. 

“The team wanted to get out there and compete today, it’s what we came here for,” said Head Moguls Coach Matt Gnoza. “They want to put the bib on and show the world what they’re made of. Unfortunately we were battling through fog and weather delays, and it just got too late in the day to complete the event.”

Although unable to compete, there was a lot to celebrate. The U.S. took home the FIS Freestyle Nations Cup in moguls for the first time since 2013, beating out Japan by almost 300 points. “I’ve been with the team for eight years and in my second year winning the Nations Cup was one of the goals I wrote down for myself as head coach,” said Gnoza. “Every athlete that competed on World Cup this season contributed to the point total to earn it. Whether someone finished on the podium or scored their first World Cup points, they contributed to our success. Every one of the American athletes, whether U.S. Ski Team or not, contributed. It is a special award for the U.S. and our American moguls community. It shows that we have a bright future ahead of us in this sport.”

With aerials’ clinching their discipline’s Nations Cup on Saturday, the U.S. now boasts the best Freestyle Ski Team in the world. (Unfortunately FIS electronic records only go back to 2007, so U.S. Ski & Snowboard is unable to confirm at this time if this is the first time this has been done.)

Seven athletes finished in the top-10 rankings overall. Hannah Soar led the U.S. in the standings with a third-place Grand Prix finish, besting her fifth place from last year’s breakout season. Kai Owens finished fourth, Jaelin Kauf fifth and Tess Johnson sixth. The women’s moguls team continues to demonstrate its dominance, the #PowHERhouse remains the best women’s moguls team in the world for the third year running. 

“I’m proud of my ability to come out of [last year’s] breakthrough season and have another really great season even under all of these crazy circumstances,” reflected Soar. “We have faced a lot of adversity. I’ve been dealing with some chronic injuries, but have been able to push through and still come through with good results. I’m pretty proud of my ability to keep focused in times when there has been a lot of distractions.”

“I think the fact that we finished 3, 4, 5, 6 is pretty cool. We’re pretty tight as far as points go, there’s not a huge difference there. I think that it just goes to show how strong we are going into an Olympic season as a women's team. We all have different strengths in different areas and those come through at different events at different times. I’m excited to see what next year brings.”

Brad Wilson finished eighth overall, Nick Page ninth and Dylan Walczyk 10th, a strong showing from the men. The last time three American men finished in the top-10 overall was 2015.

The U.S. also swept the Rookie of the Year awards, with Owens and Page each earning the honor. Rookie of the Year not only takes into account an athlete’s results, but their character and conduct off course. Rookie of the Years have to “embody the spirit of Freestyle,” Gnoza explained.

From the beginning of the 2020-21 season, Owens put the world on notice when she made her first super finals appearance at the World Cup opener in Ruka, finishing sixth. Owens qualified for finals in every World Cup she entered this season and earned her first podium with a win during dual moguls at Deer Valley in February. She also earned the best American finish in World Championships with a fifth place in moguls. 

“There are a lot of amazing skiers out there, our women's field as a whole has been getting so good and competitive,” said Owens. “To be here and to be competing and amongst all of these veterans is really cool. I've been working really hard to improve my weak points, for me that's my base score, so I’ve been doing a lot of ski work. I played my strength, which is jumping. I’m honored to be up there as one of the best female jumpers, so that's really exciting for me.” 

“I really wanted Rookie of the Year, it was definitely a goal. I wasn’t sure if I was within the criteria this season. So my main goals were just performing and skiing my best, seeing where that put me, and building confidence for next season. Rookie of the Year is kind of a cherry on top. I also just want to say a big thank you to everybody (here and at home) for being here for us and making [the season] happen.”

Page stepped up his game this season earning five top-10 finishes, including his first podium in third place in Idre Fjall, Sweden, in December. 

“[Earning Rookie of the Year] was a nice reassurance that I am where I am supposed to be,” said Page. “Last year there were some really nice highs, I had some great success, but also there were times where it was really easy to doubt if I was really the one that was supposed to be [on World Cup]. Coming into this season and performing at the level I knew I was capable of was really nice.”

Page noted that following the award ceremony Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury (winningest moguls skier of all time) congratulated him and the two discussed what an honor Rookie of the Year meant. “We were talking about how Rookie of Year was the hardest piece to get because you just get one shot. If you’re trying to get Rookie of the Year, overall globes, World Championships wins and Olympic wins, etc, all of those you have multiple shots at except for Rookie. To really complete your whole resume by the end of your career you kind of have to start it off on a hot streak. So it was a nice compliment he gave to me at the end of the day.”

Sunday marks the end of what Gnoza describes as the most trying season of his career. “In my 28 years of coaching this has by far and away been the most challenging with the added stress of COVID-19 protocols and precautions,” he said. “You wear that stress every day. You are constantly worried for the athletes’ safety and well-being but are also constantly motivating their progression and performance. That challenge has been especially difficult with COVID-19. I’m looking forward to the days when this pandemic is behind us and we can get after it some more, but with some more peace of mind.”

Although ending on a cancellation is not how the team wanted to end their season, athletes are already looking ahead to the next. Soar reflects that while this season was especially hard, she acknowledges that each year brings its own set of challenges. And she is ready to take on what 2022 has in store. “Every year there is something that is going to stand in your way. In certain ways [this season] will help me next year because I worked through and overcame. There’s always a reason to not do well. Every event there was stress outside of the competition: wanting to test negative [for COVID-19], having to quarantine away from the team, or within the team… there was a lot of stress that wasn’t just on the mogul course. Today when they cancelled the event, knowing that we had that Nations Cup in hand and I had that third place in hand, just knowing how hard we worked and the stress we went through, I was almost in tears. I wish times were normal and we could all celebrate together but we will celebrate together another day.”

Moguls Standings
Women’s Moguls
Men’s Moguls
Nations Cup

U.S. Snowboard Team members Chloe Kim and Maddie Mastro proved style and strength, claiming gold and silver in halfpipe at the Aspen 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships, featuring the Visa Big Air presented by Land Rover, at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colo., Saturday.

“I think that it was a challenging day today with less than ideal conditions, but everyone stepped up and put down some of their best runs of the year today,” said Rick Bower, U.S. Snowboard Halfpipe Pro Team Head Coach. “So, overall it was a really great day. I am excited to see them one and two.”

It was all smiles today for Kim, as she defended her 2019 World Championship title. Despite less than ideal halfpipe conditions with wind, snow, and a sprained ankle from practice, Kim prevailed. Her first two runs — both identical in their technicality and style — included switch backside rotations, laid-out mctwists, and a frontside 900. Kim, still coming off a competition hiatus for school, has made it clear — she is back.

“I am feeling really good,” said Kim. “I am so grateful to be out here and happy the weather held up for the contest. Winning feels really good!”

Mastro also had a strong performance, earning the silver. She most notably stomped a double Crippler and frontside 900 in her final run, showcasing her best competition run of the season. Mastro, remaining consistent throughout her runs, giving an impressive show of both pre-drop karaoke skills and aggressive riding, defining the best of women’s halfpipe snowboarding.

“It’s something I have been building toward all season and I am going to try and build off that run,” said Mastro. “We haven’t had many contests this year, so it has been a lot more pressure when they do come. So to have all that energy built up and accomplish that run, it’s an amazing feeling that nothing can really compare to — that’s what we work for.”

Today in the men’s halfpipe finals, there was a heavily stacked lineup of talent with Chase Josey finishing fifth, Chase Blackwell sixth, and Taylor Gold in eighth. Japan’s Yuto Totsuka took the gold, upsetting Australia’s Scotty James who settled for silver. Switzerland’s Jan Scherrer claimed bronze.

Blackwell, the U.S. Snowboard team’s up-and-coming rider boosted technical back-to-back double corks and a Cab 1080. Josey presenting some of the most technical runs of the day, showed his deep arsenal of tricks through double Michalchuks and a double Ally-oop, although washing out in two of his runs. Finally, Gold gave a good showing on home soil through boosting his signature McTwist Chicken Wing and double Michalchuk.

RESULTS
Men’s Freeski Slopestyle
Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle

START LISTS
Men’s Freeski Halfpipe
Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe
 

HOW TO WATCH 
All times EST

Sunday, March 14
12:00 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Halfpipe - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
11:55 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Women’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Halfpipe - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBC
2:10 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying, heat 1 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
4:25 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying, heat 2 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock

Monday, March 15
11:55 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Women’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
2:10 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying, heat 1 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
4:25 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying, heat 2 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock

Tuesday, March 16
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Big Air - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN, Streaming Peacock
1:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Slopestyle - delayed broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
3:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Big Air - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, April 11
2:00 p.m. World Freestyle Championships Event Recap, Aspen, Colorado, Broadcast NBCSN

SCHEDULE
Aspen 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships
Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and Big Air
March 10-16

Snowboard:
March 14 - Big air qualifications
March 16 - Big air finals

Freeski:
March 15 - Big air qualifications
March 16 - Big air finals
 

FOLLOW
Instagram - @ussnowboardteam
Instagram - @usfreeskiteam
Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard

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Learn more about how to support the U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Teams.
 

U.S. Freeski Team members Colby Stevenson claimed the slopestyle silver and Alex Hall took the bronze at the Aspen 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships, featuring the Visa Big Air presented by Land Rover at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colo., Saturday. Sweden’s Andri Ragettli won the gold.

Despite variable conditions with increasing winds and cloud coverage throughout the morning, the U.S. Freeski Team battled it out on the course. U.S. Freeski Team Head Coach Skogen Sprang agreed the athletes put on a show. “They skied amazing and powered through the challenging conditions with the wind today,” Sprang said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them. They laid down their runs and skied great.”

In his second World Championship start, Stevenson, who qualified third for Saturday’s final, put down a solid first run with clean airs and rails although leaving plenty of room for improvement. On his second run, he did just that and stepped it up a notch with two switch doubles and a double cork 1620, moving him from eighth place to the top seat and bumping Britain's James Woods to second. Stevenson held on to the top spot until Ragettli slid into the gold medal position on his third and final run.

“Any day I come out and land a run, that’s a win for me,” said Stevenson. “Especially for Alex (Hall) to be on the podium with me too in these conditions. There is a lot more pressure when there are elements involved other than the run ahead of you — you’ve got the wind, maybe snow coming in, and flat light. Definitely a lot of added pressure. Really stoked to come out and stomp a run.”

Hall, who was the top qualifier, had a different story of triumph following his first two runs. Hall struggled uncharacteristically with the first rail feature, which resulted in a throwaway for his first two runs. By the third and final run, even with increasing and undesirable winds, Hall gritted his way to bronze medal position with two switch doubles and a double 1620 Buick on his final air.

“I couldn’t make it past the first rail which was a little frustrating,” said Hall. “I was struggling with that rail all day. So I switched it up for the last run since I was pretty down the drain mentally, but once I got past the first rail I got a little more hyped to do the rest of the run. I am stoked it worked out for the last one!”

Marin Hamill, U.S. Freeski Rookie Team member made her World Championship debut by qualifying second and finishing in fifth place overall. She has already earned seven World Cup top-10 finishes, and continues to improve every event. Saturday, Hamill proved her strength all throughout her runs, steadily improving her jumps and rails.

“I didn’t ski that well in my runs as I wanted to, but I still had a blast until the wind came,” said Hamill. “This definitely boosted my confidence, knowing that I can land a run here.”

China’s Eileen Gu won the gold, Swiss Mathilde Gremaud took the silver and Canada’s Megan Oldham claimed the bronze.

The U.S. Freeski Team will resume competition Monday at the Aspen 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships, with the Visa Big Air presented by Land Rover qualification round.

RESULTS
Men’s Freeski Slopestyle
Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle
 

START LISTS
Men’s Freeski Halfpipe
Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe
 

HOW TO WATCH 
All times EST

Sunday, March 14
12:00 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Halfpipe - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
11:55 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Women’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Halfpipe - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBC
2:10 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying, heat 1 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
4:25 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying, heat 2 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock

Monday, March 15
11:55 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Women’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
2:10 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying, heat 1 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
4:25 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying, heat 2 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock

Tuesday, March 16
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Big Air - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN, Streaming Peacock
1:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Slopestyle - delayed broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
3:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Big Air - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, April 11
2:00 p.m. World Freestyle Championships Event Recap, Aspen, Colorado, Broadcast NBCSN

SCHEDULE
Aspen 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships
Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and Big Air
March 10-16

Snowboard:
March 14 - Big air qualifications
March 16 - Big air finals

Freeski:
March 15 - Big air qualifications
March 16 - Big air finals
 

FOLLOW
Instagram - @ussnowboardteam
Instagram - @usfreeskiteam
Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard

Interested in organization, athlete, and event related news?
Sign up for our Daily or Weekly Update

Learn more about how to support the U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Teams.

On a challenging, and beautiful track in the scenic Engadin Valley of Switzerland, Jessie Diggins skied to a fifth-place finish, leading three Davis U.S. Cross Country team athletes into the top 14. Hailey Swirbul was 12th, followed by Rosie Brennan in 14th.

Russia’s Yulia Stupak took the victory, skiing away from Norway’s Heidi Weng and Sweden’s Ebba Andersson on the final downhill for her second World Cup victory of the season. Stupak’s victory moved her into second in the overall World Cup standings behind Diggins and bumped Brennan from third to fourth overall.

Coming into the final weekend of racing, Brennan sat third in both the World Cup overall and distance standings, and she knew a solid result would keep her in the top three. From the start, she pushed the pace at the front, however, bad luck struck her on the first of three laps.

“I felt really good off the line today, but unfortunately got my pole kicked and broken about 2.5k into the race,” she said. “It was a bad place to break a pole and it took me a while to get my spare pole so I lost the lead pack at that time. I did what I could to climb my way back, but did not have enough in me. I am really heartbroken that I couldn't find another gear to fight back because I had great skis and had a lot riding on this weekend for the overall World Cup.”

Sporting fast skis, Diggins skied well in the front group, digging deep into the pain cave during the high-altitude race. However, in hindsight, a little less kick would have served her better.

“It was hard in the altitude, but my skis were pretty good,” the 2021 overall World Cup winner said. “I should have had the confidence to ask for less kick, but that’s my fault. But I was really happy with today.”

Rounding out the U.S. women, Katharine Ogden was 33rd, Sophia Laukli was 46th, and Julia Kern was 47th. However, all three were caught up in an early race crash that separated them from the lead pack.

In the men’s 15k race, Alexander Bulshunov exacted some revenge over Norway’s Johannes Klaebo from last weekend’s controversial 50k finish at the World Championships to take the victory by more than 18 seconds over the Norweigan. Norway's Paal Goldberg was third. David Norris was the top American finisher in 41st, followed by Hunter Wonders in 47th, Gus Schumacher 48th, Ben Ogden 51st, Scott Patterson 53rd, Kevin Bolger 60th, and Johnny Hagenbuch finishing 72nd in his first World Cup start.

“I went into it with zero expectations—just wanted to have fun and see the lay of the land,” Hagenbuch said. “It was very hectic in the beginning, and the start took me by surprise...I definitely have a lot to work on. The good news is that I think I have some time to accomplish it!”

Up next, the final race of the 2020-21 FIS Cross Country World Cup season. The women will race a 30k freestyle pursuit, and the men a 50k freestyle pursuit on a point-to-point course that follows mainly along the profile of the prestigious “Engadin Skimarathon” route. 

“Tomorrow we start based on our finish today so it was a really bad day to not finish strong,” Brennan added. “But I will give it all I have tomorrow and do what I can finish the season strong.”

RESULTS
Women’s 10k classic mass start
Men’s 15k classic mass start

STANDINGS
Women’s overall World Cup
Men’s Overall World Cup
Women’s World Cup distance
Men’s World Cup distance

HOW TO WATCH
Sunday, March 14
3:15 a.m. FIS Cross-Country World Cup Women’s 30 km Pursuit - LIVE, Engadin, SUI, 
5:35 a.m. FIS Cross-Country World Cup Men’s 50km Pursuit - LIVE, Engadin, SUI, Streaming Peacock

On her 26th birthday, two-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion Mikaela Shiffrin was second in Saturday’s slalom to lead two Americans into the top five. Paula Moltzan skied to a career-best fifth-place finish in the second of two FIS Ski World Cup slalom races in Are, Sweden.

With Saturday's win, Austria’s 2021 slalom world champion Katharina Liensberger grabbed her maiden World Cup victory, followed by Shiffrin .72 seconds off the pace, and Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener in third place, 1.65 seconds back. 

Shiffrin came out of the gate with fire on Saturday, skiing into first ahead of Liensberger by .19 seconds. Slovakian Petra Vlhova, who won Friday’s slalom had an early error and nearly went over the handlebars, losing a significant amount of time. Even still, Vlhova was able to make the flip, with 27th place. 2017 NCAA slalom champion (University of Vermont) Paula Moltzan was fifth-fastest in the first run. 

Vlhova held the lead for a while, moving from 27th to eighth with a solid and error-free second run. Many athletes struggled second run with the light changing drastically, but Moltzan was able to cross the finish line in the lead by .27 seconds. Her strong skiing allowed her to hold the fifth place, for her career-best result. “I’m really happy with the weekend and super excited to be able to put four clean runs down in a row,” Moltzan shared. “It (consistency) is something I have been working really hard on all season. The whole team showed a lot of speed on the first run, and I can promise there are more great things in the near future for the entire team.”

 

 

 

 

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Liensberger came down with a beautiful run, seemingly floating through the gates to take the lead over Holdener by a whopping 1.65 seconds. Shiffrin skied solid but could not keep up with Liensberger, though she was able to hang on to second place. 

“It was a pretty good weekend,” reflected Shiffrin. “Yesterday I was really happy with fighting to stay in the race on the second run, and today it was all-around better skiing. The second run was really tough. It was hard to see and hard to see where the tracks were...I knew that Liensberger would be pushing really hard as she did the same thing yesterday and seemed so comfortable with that level of skiing. I knew that would be a really big fight. I tried to push and kind of keep up with the pace, and some spots felt pretty good, so I can take away some good things from it."

At just 26-years-old, Shiffrin has 69 career World Cup victories, three Olympic medals (two gold), and eleven world championship medals (six gold). Her illustrious career seems to be one mind-blowing statistic after another, so here's another to add to the collection: in her last 51 slalom starts, Shiffrin was on the podium 47 times (92%) with 36 victories (71%).

For the second-straight day, Nina O’Brien grabbed 22nd, after making an incredible recovery second run for the solid result. Katie Hensien, AJ Hurt, Lila Lapanja, and Resi Stiegler also started for the Americans. Hensien and Stiegler skied strong, but finished just outside of the 30, while Hurt and Lapanja did not finish.

In what is becoming quite the exciting race for the slalom globe, Shiffrin is now sitting in third with 575 points, behind Vlhova (612 points), and Liensberger (590 points). With her eighth place on Saturday, Vlhova has extended her lead in the World Cup overall standings to 96 points, with 1,352 points to Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami 1,256 points. 

What can fans expect at Finals? “The only thing you can really expect is that Finals will be an exciting show,” said Shiffrin. “I have no idea how it’s going to turn out. Kathi and Petra are both very strong, and today Petra had a really big mistake on the first run, but you could see the second run she was coming back really strong. Anything is possible at Finals, and I’m not totally out of the fight, which after yesterday, is a little bit of a surprise even, so we’ll see.”  

Up next for the FIS Ski World Cup circuit is World Cup Finals in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.  

RESULTS
Women’s slalom

STANDINGS
Overall
Slalom

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST.

Sunday, March 14
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men’s Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Kranjska Gora, SLO, Streaming Peacock
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men’s Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Kranjska Gora, SLO, Broadcast Olympic Chanel, Streaming Peacock
 

The U.S. Freestyle Aerials Team wrapped its season Saturday with World Cup Finals at Shymbulak Mountain Resort in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on the same site as the 2021 FIS Freestyle Ski World Championships earlier this week. Unfortunately, the U.S. was only able to field two athletes due to positive COVID-19 cases and associated quarantine for close contacts. U.S. Ski Team member Dani Loeb and Park City Ski & Snowboard athlete Tasia Tanner were exempt from the quarantine process and therefore able to jump. 

Both Loeb and Tanner made the first finals round, the second World Cup finals appearance for each. Loeb performed a full full to earn a 77.17, which earned her a 10th place finish, matching her best from Moscow in January. As the 2021 NorAm Cup Champion, Tanner earned a spot in World Cup Finals and matched her career-best result from Deer Valley with an 11th place after stomping a high-scoring lay full. first time at worlds

"It was the best scoring full full that ever I've done," said Loeb. "I was super excited to perform it how I did. It was a bummer to not have my team physically there, but their support from texts and calls was awesome. The whole team was texting Tasia and me nonstop. The other teams were also very supportive and cheering us on. It was a bittersweet way to end the season."

Canada’s Marion Thenault won for the women with Russia’s Liubov Nikitina in second and Kazakhstan’s Zhanbota Aldabergenova rounding out the podium in third. On the men’s side, Switzerland took first and second with Pirmin Werner and Nicolas Gygax, respectively, and Canada’s Lewis Irving was third. 

Despite a majority of the team not competing in the final event of the season, the United States still won the Nations Cup, a feat not achieved since 2016. The Nations Cup is a true team effort as each athlete’s results contribute to crown the world’s best aerials team. The U.S. managed to edge out Russia by 11 points, showing the depth and potential of the U.S. as there certainly were results left on the snow Saturday. 

“I am so proud of our whole team in earning the Nations Cup this season,” said Head Aerials Coach Vladimir (Vlad) Lebedev. “This season was likely the hardest season any of us will ever experience. To achieve this together is amazing. We worked hard all year with this goal in mind. Through the difficult travel, all of the training, and the highs and lows of the competition season, this was on our radar. To prove that we are the number one aerials team in the world feels especially sweet this season. Thank you to all of the athletes, coaches and staff for all of your hard work. I look forward to celebrating together once we are all safely back in the U.S.”

Another notable achievement for the team this year was Winter Vinecki’s second place in the overall World Cup standings, the first American Grand Prix podium finish since Mac Bohonnon’s second place in 2017 - and the first American female podium finish since Ashley Caldwell earned the overall title in 2016. 

"I am so excited for the season that I had!" said Vinecki. "I went into the season hungry for my first podium. To come out with three podiums, including a win, and now a silver medal in the overall World Cup Tour, is a dream come true. The season was certainly full of challenges and not being able to compete for the win in the overall standings in this last World Cup (due to COVID) was a big disappointment. I would have loved to stand on that podium with those other amazing women for the overall award ceremony too, but you can bet I was smiling from my hotel room. I already can’t wait to get back training and prepare for our Olympic season next year!"

Seven teammates joined Vinecki in the top 15 overall standings. On the women’s side, Megan Nick finished sixth, Ashley Caldwell seventh, Kaila Kuhn ninth and Megan Smallhouse 15th. Justin Schoenefeld was this season’s top American man, finishing eighth. Chris Lillis finished 12th and Eric Loughran 14th. 

The aerials athletes are safely in quarantine and testing of U.S. Freestyle Ski Team athletes and staff is ongoing. While this is a disappointing way to end the season, the health and safety of all U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and staff is the organization’s top priority. U.S. Ski & Snowboard looks forward to bringing all athletes back to the U.S. upon completion of mandatory quarantine periods.

Results
Women’s Aerials
Men’s Aerials

Standings
Women’s Aerials
Men’s Aerials
Nations Cup

U.S. Freeski Team member Birk Irving took halfpipe bronze at the Aspen 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships, featuring the Visa Big Air presented by Land Rover. Alex Ferreira and Hanna Faulhaber each finished fourth for the U.S.

The day presented difficult spring pipe conditions for athletes, including an icy left wall and soft sun-splashed right wall. Regardless, the U.S. Team made an impressive showing of style across women's and men's teams.

"I didn't put down all the runs I wanted to, but for my first run to hold all the way through, with this level of skiing, is so insane," said Irving. "I couldn't have asked for a better day, the pipe was so good, and the level of skiing right now is so gnarly."

Twenty-one-year-old Irving was able to show a true sense of confidence competing in the pipe, with the best skiing we've seen from this young man. While his second and third runs did not prove as strong, Irving came out of the gate on his first run with a left double 1440, reserving his spot on the podium.

Defending his home turf, Alex Ferreira took home fourth place with a solid second run, including a clean left double 1080 and right double 1080.

"It was awesome to do the contest today and I think everyone is having a great time," said Ferreira. "What more could you ask for? Obviously, I am biased: I think Aspen is the greatest place in the world."

Teammates Aaron Blunck came in fifth, David Wise in 10th, and Lyman Currier in 11th.

On the women's side, Faulhaber - a sixteen-year-old and Basalt local - put on an impressive show of amplitude while claiming fourth in women's halfpipe in her first World Championships. All three runs for Faulhaber included immense airtime and back-to-back flairs showcasing her best in her hometown pipe. 

"It was amazing to be with the U.S. Freeski Team and compete against them, " said Faulhaber. "I've always looked up to my teammates growing up, so competing against them at such a big event is amazing."

Teammates Brita Sigourney and Devin Logan were fifth and sixth respectively.

RESULTS
Men's Freeski HP Finals
Women's Freeski HP Finals

START LISTS
Men’s Freeski Halfpipe
Women’s Freeski Halfpipe

HOW TO WATCH 
All times EST

Saturday, March 13   
11:30 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Slopestyle - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Slopestyle - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBC
1:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Slopestyle - same-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast Olympic Channel
3:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Halfpipe - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast Olympic Channel, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, March 14
12:00 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Halfpipe - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
11:55 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Women’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Halfpipe - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBC
2:10 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying, heat 1 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
4:25 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying, heat 2 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock

Monday, March 15
11:55 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Women’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
2:10 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying, heat 1 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
4:25 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying, heat 2 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock

Tuesday, March 16
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Big Air - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN, Streaming Peacock
1:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Slopestyle - delayed broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
3:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Big Air - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, April 11
2:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Championships Event Recap, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBC

SCHEDULE
Aspen 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships
Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and Big Air
March 10-16

Snowboard:
March 13 - Halfpipe finals
March 14 - Big air qualifications
March 16 - Big air finals

Freeski:                      
March 13 - Slopestyle finals
March 15 - Big air qualifications
March 16 - Big air finals
 

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Instagram - @usfreeskiteam
Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard
 

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Jamie Anderson kicked off the World Championships with flair and triumph, taking the silver medal in slopestyle on the first day of finals at the Aspen 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships, featuring the Visa Big Air presented by Land Rover, at Buttermilk in Aspen, Colo., Friday.

"I honestly feel so happy," said Anderson. "I gave it my all today." 

Spring conditions provided an ideal riding environment and the perfect weather, and dialed course, allowed for a solid showing in both men's and women's snowboard slopestyle finals.  

After finishing second in qualifiers, Anderson put down a solid first run in finals to take the top seat after the first of three runs with a notable frontside 720 Weddle on her final air. In her second run, Anderson attempted to raise the bar and land a 1080 Weddle on the final air, although under-rotating and slid out. Among her mix in the third and final run, Anderson perfectly styled her rails and first two airs; although attempting to finish what she started, she washed out of her final frontside 1080 Weddle and was unable to take over first place. 

"Although I wasn't able to connect my 10, I am genuinely so happy for Zoi (Sadowski-Synnott)," said Anderson. We've been battling all year, and that last run she put down was flawless. The future (of women's snowboarding) is in good hands. I am proud of her and all the girls." 

New Zealand's Zoi Sadowski Synnott completed a strong run with a backside 1080 on her final air to take the gold, while Australia's Tess Coady took the bronze.

The men put on an equally impressive display of talent, with Norway's Marcus Kleveland winning the gold, Canada's Sebastien Toutant with the silver, and Finland's Rene Rinnekangas taking the bronze. U.S. Freeski Team's Red Gerard was fourth, Dusty Henricksen seventh, Chris Corning 11th, and Lyon Farrell 12th.

"Today was a gorgeous day," said Toutant. "The course was perfect, the weather was perfect, and everyone killed it." 

After his first run, Gerard held the top spot through his clean and confident rails and jumps, pulling a switch back triple Weddle in the final air. His second run included a stylish switch Blunt 270, although washing out a back 1260 Melon on his second air, in-venue announcer Jon "DC" Oetken awarded Gerard with the 'Best Craig Kelly Tribute Melon Grab' of the day.

Teammates Henricksen, Corning, and Farrell all stepped up in their runs, displaying loads of talent. Henricksen completed his rails and a considerable back Triple Weddle on the final air — styled in spring t-shirt fashion. Corning had an exceptionally stylish 50-50 backside to Rodeo in the rails both runs, also attempting a quad 1800 melon on the final air, while Farrell proved his skills through a clean rail section and a back 1620 Melon. 

Tune in for more World Championships snowboarding action Saturday with snowboard halfpipe finals, where Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim will look to defend her World Championship title. 

RESULTS
Women’s snowboard slopestyle 
Men’s snowboard slopestyle

START LISTS
Women’s snowboard halfpipe
Men’s snowboard halfpipe

HOW TO WATCH 
All times EST

Saturday, March 13   
11:30 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Slopestyle - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Slopestyle - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBC
1:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Slopestyle - same-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast Olympic Channel
3:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Halfpipe - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast Olympic Channel, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, March 14
12:00 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Halfpipe - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
11:55 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Women’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Halfpipe - next-day broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBC
2:10 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying, heat 1 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
4:25 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Snowboard Big Air Qualifying, heat 2 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock

Monday, March 15
11:55 a.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Women’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
2:10 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying, heat 1 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock
4:25 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Men’s Freeski Big Air Qualifying, heat 2 - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Streaming Peacock

Tuesday, March 16
12:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Big Air - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN, Streaming Peacock
1:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Freeski Slopestyle - delayed broadcast, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN
3:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Snowboard Big Air - LIVE, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBCSN, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, April 11
2:00 p.m. FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships - Championships Event Recap, Aspen, Colo., Broadcast NBC

FOLLOW
Instagram - @ussnowboardteam
Instagram - @usfreeskiteam
Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard
 

 Interested in organization, athlete, and event related news?
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Learn more about how to support the U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Teams