The FIS Freestyle World Cup tour comes together this week in Kazakhstan with both aerials and dual moguls competition on deck. Although aerials and moguls fall under the freestyle umbrella and have a shared history, their tours often don’t intersect abroad in recent memory. This season, however, these teams meet twice overseas, first in Kazakhstan, and next week in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. 

Aerials kicks off the weekend on Friday at Almaty’s Oi Qaragai Ski Resort. This is the first FIS Aerials World Cup held in Kazakhstan and so far the team is loving the new stop. Athletes were treated to traditional music during a welcome feast and their meals are served in the world’s largest yurt. 

"Someone made the comment that [the yurt is] like the scene in Harry Potter when they walk into the magic camping tent and it’s much larger from the inside than you’d expect it to be," said Alex Bowen.

Coming off of the success of two podiums in Minsk last week, Justin Schoenefeld’s win and Chris Lillis’ third place, the aerials team will look to continue to rack up results. With warm, bluebird days and plenty of snow, the team is ready to stomp.

"It’s the first time Kazakhstan has hosted an Aerials World Cup in Almaty and the site is turning out to be spectacular," said Alex. "The coaches and volunteers have been working hard to maintain the jumps with the warm weather."

Moguls caps off the weekend with duals on Sunday at Shymbulak Ski Resort. It is uncommon for duals to be the sole moguls event of a World Cup stop, but the extended travel time to the site - a one-hour bus ride and a 30-minute gondola ride - means less competition time and duals is a shorter day. This is the second year of moguls competition in Kazakhstan, and the team is happy to return. 

“It’s just so different here,” explained Jaelin Kauf. “We’re staying in the city, getting to explore and I feel like we get to see and experience a lot of the culture here.”

Weather forced the cancellation of last week’s Japanese duals event so the Americans are itching to get back in the start gates and battle the world’s best mogul skiers. 

“It’s really sweet to have a duals-only stop on the tour!” said Jaelin. “We don’t get that often so I’m stoked to get right into it! I am considering doing a new trick for duals this week, which would be something really new for me... but it’s exciting! Duals is a different game, so getting right into it is going to be a lot of fun for me. I’m just hoping to have a lot of fun throughout the training days and get in my groove for duals day.”

U.S. Starters

Aerials

Women
Ashley Caldwell
Megan Nick
Winter Vinecki
Madison Varmette
Megan Smallhouse
Kaila Kuhn

Men
Eric Loughran
Chris Lillis
Jon Lillis
Justin Schoenefeld
Quinn Dehlinger
Alex Bowen 

Moguls

Women
Tess Johnson
Jaelin Kauf
Hannah Soar
Kai Owens

Men
Kalman Heims
Alex Lewis
Nick Page
Emerson Smith
Dylan Walczyk
Brad Wilson 

HOW TO WATCH 

All times EST

Friday, Feb. 28
2:20 a.m. - Men and women’s aerials, Qi Qaragai, KAZ - OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
12:30 p.m. - Men and women’s aerials, Qi Qaragai, KAZ - Olympic Channel*

Sunday, March 1
2:30 a.m. - Men’s and women’s dual moguls, Shymbulak, KAZ - OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
9:30 a.m. - Men’s and women’s dual moguls, Shymbulak, KAZ - Olympic Channel*

*Same-day broadcast

Note: All televised events to stream across NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, OlympicChannel.com, and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA app

Exclusive commercial-free coverage will be available for subscribers of the NBC Sports Gold Pass, available here: https://www.nbcsports.com/gold/snow.

Two-time Olympian and talented artist Laurenne Ross has published her first book, a photography book entitled “Approach”—featuring photos taken from several locations around the world: Italy, Switzerland, Alberta and British Columbia (Canada), New Zealand, Chile and France.

Laurenne is known as one of the most dynamic athletes on and off the snow, with incredible talent on violin, piano, guitar, vocals and as a visual artist. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Laurenne cut her teeth at a small local hill but headed to the Canadian Rockies on weekends, where she raced her Dad (a former alpine racer) to the lodge. 

A creative to the core, who is a seasoned vet when it comes to creating both visual beauties in the classroom and beauty in the form of arcs on the snow, Laurenne loves merging her passion for the mountains and art. How does she describe herself as an athlete/artist, and how do influences of Laurenne’s art permeate into her skiing/vice-versa?

“As an artist at heart, I see skiing as a sort of art form,” noted Laurenne. “Sport is a form of self-expression, and I really try to embody that in my skiing. We as skiers are all very different in our movements and ways of connecting with the mountains and snow, and I find that to be such a beautiful thing. You can see how each athlete expresses themselves in their movements and reactions, just as you can see expression in an artist's work.”

“I'm also undeniably drawn to the mountains and snow, and I think you can see glimpses of that connection in my artwork,” she continued. “I've always dreamed of a way to express my love for and connection to skiing (and the elements that come with it) through an art form, just as I endlessly search for ways to express myself and my artistic side through my skiing.”

Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team communication manager Megan Harrod spent some time digging into Laurenne’s new project, which launched in early December, to find out a little more about her “Approach” to art and what makes her so unique and different.  

Megan Harrod: Do you have a personal favorite photo?
Laurenne Ross: My favorite photo is probably the one titled "Wander," or maybe "Keever." "Wander" is a really special photograph to me because it carries a lot of personal meaning, but I also love the light and the way the colors contrast and radiate unexpectedly. "Keever" seems to exhibit this magical mountain wonderland, with a mysterious rainbow light: it's almost utopian. 

MH: What is the concept behind Approach, and why?
LR: The original concept behind Approach was to have a way to distribute a small portfolio of my photography work. I was actually taking a career course in design, and the initial prompt was to create a portfolio of art and design work that I could basically use as a resumé. Since I'm not yet pursuing a career in art/design, and I've always wanted to make a photography book, I thought it would be fun to interpret the prompt in a way that would allow me to initiate an art project I've always wanted to undertake, while simultaneously creating a "portfolio" of my work.

I decided to focus the book on a specific type of film photography because it allowed me to narrow down my options for photographs (since I have so many). So the concept of color variation and alternative-processed films came to mind, and that's how Approach came together. I also wanted to portray my travels in a way that allows people to see the world from a unique and colorful perspective, so hopefully, the book does that. 

MH: What is your goal with Approach? 
LR: The goal with Approach is firstly to put my photographs into the world in a real, tangible form. I've always been drawn to books and magazines, and to physical prints of photographs. There's something about being able to hold the object in your hands that creates a different kind of connection with art. I'm also taking the year off of racing, so I am hoping to raise some money to support my recovery with this book!

MH: You and your partner/fellow U.S. Ski Team athlete Tommy (Ford) both love to create. Are any of the photos in the book of Tommy, or of places you and Tommy traveled together? This shared passion must fuel you both, and bring you closer together…can you talk about it?
LR: Tommy and I share many passions, but the two most significant ones in our lives are probably skiing and making art. It's really inspiring to be around Tommy: he's always busting out a notebook and sketching, and it pushes me to pursue my artistic passions when we're together. 

There are a few photos of Tommy in the book (three total), but he was by my side while I took many of the other shots. In the photo titled "Trade," we were together in New Zealand, skiing, and decided to take a trip to Mt. Cook National Park during a day off. These are the little side trips that are really important to both Tommy and me (exploring a place beyond our training or racing area), but that are really difficult to make because of our packed schedules. So we push each other to do these kinds of things while we're together. It's incredible to be able to pursue a passion with someone at your side, knowing they're also fulfilling a similar, deep desire to create and explore. Sharing those moments is something we both really cherish.

MH: Are there any stories behind the photography that are particularly special to you?
LR: Behind each and every photograph lies a story that is really special to me. There is one photo in particular that I hold dear, as it is of a friend that I haven't seen or spoken to in years. The image is titled "Wander," and it captures so much emotion, both hopeful and dark, that ultimately lead to the extinction of a wonderful friendship.

Join Laurenne on her colorful journey around our beautiful world. 

Check out Laurenne’s website and her "Approach" book.

Dave McCoy, the visionary behind Mammoth Mountain, passed away at the age of 104 on Feb. 8, 2020. 

“Behind every mountain, is a story. And behind every story is a legend. One such legend was Dave McCoy.”

Because of Dave’s grit and tenacity, he built what no one imagined could be possible. Since its inception in 1953, he shared the fun and beauty of Mammoth Mountain with millions of people. Mammoth Ski Area grew from a single, homemade chairlift, to 3,500 skiable acres served by 28 lifts attracting the world’s best skiers and riders to its slopes. 

Mammoth Mountain has proved its ability to breed talent and foster a culture of athletic development that almost seems embedded in the mountain’s DNA. The resort has hosted the U.S. Grand Prix more than a dozen times and has been fortunate enough to name our Olympic athletes three times including in 1998—the first year the Olympics hosted snowboard halfpipe as an official event. Mammoth also hosted the final qualifying event before the 2014 and 2018 Olympic Winter Games. With one of the longest snow seasons in the United States, Mammoth Mountain became an invaluable training site for elite freeski, snowboard and alpine athletes. U.S. Ski & Snowboard is deeply saddened by the loss of Dave, his memory will live on the slopes of the mountain he built and loved. 
 

Mammoth Mountain is hosting a skiing and snowboarding celebration on Feb. 28. Skiing is what Dave loved most, may his memory encourage all skiers and riders to never forget the thrill of a turn. Because “As Dave would say, ‘The most fun, is having fun.’”

Visa Big Air Champion Alex Hall looks to continue his impressive season Feb. 28-29 in Destne, Czech Republic, at the final FIS World Cup big air of the season. 

Alex is currently ranked second in the FIS World Cup standings, and even with the big air Crystal Globe within arms reach, Alex plans to keep his focus on what’s worked so well in competition over the past two seasons. 

“I’m hyped to head to the Czech Republic,” said Alex. “I’ve heard events are really fun there so it should be a good show. I’m trying not to think about the globe too much, but rather just focus on my skiing and have fun.”

Although Alex has collected podiums at freeskiing’s most prestigious events including two top-three finishes at the 2020 Dew Tour, he has yet to take home a FIS overall title in slopestyle or big air. This season, Alex’s wins at both the Modena, Italy, and the Atlanta, Ga. World Cups have him poised to make a strong run at the top spot, but he will have to fend off the likes of freeski triple-threat Birk Ruud of Norway, and Teale Harle of Canada who are currently first and third respectively. 

Alex will be joined by teammate and two-time Olympic medalist Nick Goepper. Nick recently found his groove in Calgary, Alberta, Canada claiming third-place at the Snow Rodeo slopestyle World Cup. Nick is looking forward to continuing his upswing. 

“I can’t wait to get to the Czech Republic,” said Nick. “There is some cool and interesting history there as well as great people. My goal is to keep my season trending upwards.”

American, and Park City local, Peter Raich will also compete. 

While this will be the resort’s first turn as a World Cup host, Destne has hosted a myriad of big air and slopestyle competitions from other tours in recent years. This is the eighth edition of Soldiers in Deštné v Orlických horách, but is the first time the event is FIS World Cup sanctioned. Don’t miss and Nick, Alex, and Peter take on the biggest jump on the whole World Cup tour.
 

HOW TO WATCH
Subject to change
All times EST
*Same-day delayed broadcast
** Next-day broadcast

FREESKI
Saturday, Feb. 29
2:00 p.m. - Men’s big air, Destne, CZE - Olympic Channel, OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
 

The Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team wrapped up the sixth and final stage of the Ski Tour 2020 on Sunday with a 15k classic pursuit in Trondheim, Norway. Jessie Diggins was the top U.S. finisher of the day and in the overall tour, taking sixth place, while Sadie Maubet Bjornsen also snagged a top-10 result, finishing in 10th overall.

“Wow, I made it!!” said Sadie, who had a tough start to the Tour due to stomach issues. “That was one heck of a tough tour! Things were looking mighty rough to begin with, but I knew I had to just keep fighting and believing!”

In front of another huge Norwegian crowd in the Granasen Ski Centre, Norway swept the Tour podium with Therese Johaug, Heidi Weng and Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg going one-two-three. Therese has now won 62 FIS Cross Country World Cup individual distance events, tying Marit Bjoergen for the record.

Conditions were tough again with a combination of sun, heavy snow squalls, rain, wind and everything in between, making waxing tricky. But the service team did an excellent job of trying to anticipate the changes and the athletes were able to battle to the finish. The fight paid off, with Jessie taking a strong sixth-place finish and Sadie moving from 12th place overall into 10th.

"Today, like yesterday, was a crazy day in terms of weather and waxing," said Jessie. "It kept snowing on and off, the sun coming out and then the wind picking up as more snow came down! I was pretty much skiing an individual start race as I was alone the entire time, but I was really proud of my pacing and efforts as I held my placing without anyone to work with. There was a really tricky time in the middle of the race when the skis weren’t kicking very well (for much of the field, I think) but I was able to refocus and reset and keep pushing as hard as I could."

“I knew the name of the game was to just keep fighting because everyone would be struggling at some point out there,” added Sadie. “I managed to find something to work and went through some highs and lows out there in the 15k which brought me to 10th overall in the tour! I’m super happy and satisfied with that, given the little fatigue hole I had to crawl out of this past month. Thank you to our team for helping make a tricky classic day at the finish of the tour possible to fight with the others.”

While Rosie Brennan did not have her best day, she still put down a great overall result, finishing just out of the top 10 in 12th place. “Today was a very challenging day,” said Rosie. “After having a great tour, it was hard to end on this note, but I am doing my best to look at all the positives from the tour as a whole and make a nice little worklist to improve on the things that were so tough today.”

Julia Kern also took home points, finishing 30th. Caitlin Patterson was 36th, Katharine Ogden 42nd, Rosie Frankowski 43rd, Sophie Caldwell 44th, and Alayna Sonnesyn 48th.

“It was really cool to see Jessie stay in sixth overall for the Ski Tour,” said Head Coach Chris Grover. “She skied today’s 15k classic pursuit alone in very tough conditions but held on to her hard-won placing, never facing a serious challenge from those chasing her. After not feeling good at the start of the Tour, it was also exciting to see Sadie win the pack sprint to move up to 10th overall in the Tour. And having Rosie Brennan in 12th made the USA one of the strongest nations in the women’s field, along with Norway and Sweden.”

Norway also swept the men’s podium in the 30k classic pursuit, taking first through sixth place. Paal Golberg took the big win, while Simen Hegstad Krueger was second and Hans Christer Holund third.

David Norris was the top U.S. man, finishing in 34th place. Ben Lustgarten also finished the tour, taking 54th place.

While the athletes are exhausted after nine days and six stages of hard World Cup racing, they still spoke about the fun and excitement of the first FIS Ski Tour. "I’m really happy with my efforts and how I hit my goals for every race," said Jessie. "One of my big goals was to see each day as an entirely separate opportunity and to not put pressure on myself for the overall tour, since there are so many factors that I can’t control that play into that placing. But by hitting my own process goals for each race and staying consistent I was able to have a tour that I’m proud of." 

And there was nothing but praise for the Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team coaches, wax techs, physios, nutritionists and staff, who put in hard work throughout the stages to keep the team going. “And of course, hugest thanks to the staff,” said Sadie. “We couldn’t race day after day like this without them!!! They are the heroes.”

"I’m really proud of our tech team and coaches for their tireless efforts day in and day out through this tour," added Jessie. "It’s been exhausting, but they’re the hardest working guys out there!"

The team now moves in multiple directions, with some athletes headed back to the states to prepare for the North American World Cups in Canada and Minneapolis, while others go to Lahti for a 10/15k classic and relay or to Sjusjøen, Norway for recovery and a training camp prior to Drammen and Holmenkollen. 

RESULTS
Women’s 15k Classic
Men’s 30k Classic

FINAL STANDINGS
Women
Men

HOW TO WATCH

Sunday, Feb 23
5:00 a.m. - Ski Tour 2020, Women’s 15k pursuit, Trondheim, NOR - OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
7:05 a.m. - Ski Tour 2020, Men’s 30k pursuit, Trondheim, NOR - OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
12:00 p.m.. - Ski Tour 2020, Women’s 15k pursuit, Trondheim, NOR - Olympic Channel*
1:00 p.m. - Ski Tour 2020, Men’s 30k pursuit, Trondheim, NOR - Olympic Channel*

*Same-day broadcast

Note: All televised events to stream across NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, OlympicChannel.com, and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA app

Exclusive commercial-free coverage will be available for subscribers of the NBC Sports Gold Pass, available here: https://www.nbcsports.com/gold/snow.

Sunday’s dual moguls FIS Freestyle World Cup in Tazawako, Japan was canceled due to heavy fog and snow.

The organizing committee successfully battled the inclement weather on Saturday, but after many delays on Sunday, FIS called the race. “We’ve been forced to cancel today’s dual moguls World Cup competition due to heavy fog and snow pushing the programme back to the point that we could no longer successfully complete the event,” tweeted FIS. “We’d like to thank the organisers here in @tazawakoski and all the phenomenal volunteers and staff who worked so hard to make the event a success. We’ll be back next year!”

Hannah Soar, Tess Johnson, Jaelin Kauf, Kai Owens, Emerson Smith, Dylan Walczyk, Brad Wilson, Jesse Andringa, Kalman Heims, Alex Lewis and Nick Page were scheduled to compete.

Next up, the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team heads to Almaty, Kazakhstan, for dual moguls and aerials.

Alice Merryweather earned a career-best eighth-place result in Sunday's alpine combined at Crans-Montana, Switzerland to lead the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team. 

Italy's Federica Brignone pulled off the victory with some gutsy skiing, while the rest of the podium was a bit of a surprise as Austria's Franziska Gritsch was second, and the Czech Republic's Ester Ledecka rounded out the podium in third. With her win, Federica became the first woman to win four alpine combined races in a single ski resort, and she became the FIS Ski World Cup overall leader. 

With warmer temperatures and a surface that did not freeze on Saturday evening, the track held up surprisingly well for the super-G portion of the alpine combined. Starting bib 5, Italy's Federica Brignone capitalized on the early bib number and absolutely skied with fire and passion. She put it all on the line, and won the super-G portion of the combined by .58 seconds over Slovakian Petra Vlhova. Alice Merryweather skied a clean and solid super-G run, ending up sixth—just 1.03 seconds off of Federica's pace. 

As the temperatures increased, athletes had to fight to the finish in the slalom portion of the alpine combined. It would be a Federica-Petra battle, and Federica skied a solid slalom run, crossing the line with a final time of 1:56.24. All eyes on current slalom leader Petra, who was skiing OK but definitely not on her A-game, and straddled a gate, skiing out and DNFing—thus handing the victory and the overall lead to Federica. 

In an interview on Saturday when asked about being the new favorite for the overall as Mikaela was not competing, Federica answered passionately, "I want Mikaela back, I really do hope that she will return soon...for herself so she can do again what she loves most. I know that what I am going to say will seem harsh but one has to move on...it's not like it was about a few races that didn't go well and you can slowly forget about it. What she went through is something she will never forget and it won't ever go away. I do know that she will need time, but I really hope that she will come back soon and go back to what she likes the most (skiing), and that it will help her overcome those terrible moments she just went through."

The journalist was somewhat taken aback with Federica's answer, thinking that Federica would respond by saying that she's excited for the potential to lead the in the overall standings. But, Federica respects Mikaela, loves the competition, and knows it's good for the sport.  

Alice's sixth place super-G run set her up for a career-best alpine combined result on Sunday, but more importantly, it gave her added confidence heading into next weekend's speed series in La Thuile, Italy, as she hopes to make it into the top-25 in the world in super-G and thus qualify for World Cup Finals in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. 

"It's definitely a confidence-boost going into La Thuile, but I'm definitely not taking anything for granted," noted Alice. "I'm not comfortable in 24th by any means, so I justt have to put Finals out of my mind and think about it as just another race, just another day of super-G. But, it definitely helps to have a good super-G under my belt from this morning."

With back-to-back career-best super-G results at Sochi, Russia and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Alice will head into La Thuile with even more confidence. "I think that I have gotten a lot better technically, at least in the prep period I got a lot more solid in my technical skiing, and I think that I'm finally trusting that in super-G races" she added. "I'm struggling a bit more in downhill now, but I'm able to trust myself a little more in super-G than I have in years past." 

With her win on Sunday, Federica Brignone becomes the overall leader with 1,298 points—73 points ahead of Mikaela Shiffrin, and 159 points ahead of Petra. At this point, the current overall leader Mikaela's return to Europe and return to competition is unknown. 

Up next is a super-G and an alpine combined in La Thuile, Italy. 

RESULTS
Alpine Combined

STANDINGS
Overall
Alpine Combined

HOW TO WATCH 
All times EST

Monday, Feb. 24
1:00 a.m. - Women’s combined, Crans-Montana, SUI - NBCSN*

*Next-day broadcast

Note: All televised events to stream across NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, OlympicChannel.com, and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA app. 

Exclusive commercial-free coverage will be available for subscribers of the NBC Sports Gold Pass, available here: https://www.nbcsports.com/gold/snow. 
 

 

After many delays on Sunday, the FIS Ski World Cup slalom in Niigata Yuzawa Naeba, Japan was finally canceled. Luke Winters and Tommy Ford were scheduled to start for the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team. 

The race was called due to strong winds. “It's Mother Nature,” said FIS Alpine Chief Race Director Markus Waldner. “Unfortunately we tried everything. We delayed the start time, but it’s not working. These wind gusts are coming…It would not be a regular race. It’s really strong—you could not see anything up there. The wind gusts are just too strong—unpredictable.”

⛔ @naebawc2020 Slalom cancelled ➡️ Markus Waldner - Men's Alpine Chief Race Director - explains why today it was not possible to race in Niigata Yuzawa Naeba. 🇯🇵 More info on a potential replacement will be communicated in due time. #fisalpine pic.twitter.com/uAe3aBnBl1

— FIS Alpine (@fisalpine) February 23, 2020

The race will be rescheduled to a future date. 

The men head next to Hinterstoder, Austria for an alpine combined, super-G and giant slalom.

STANDINGS
Slalom
Overall

Justin Schoenefeld claimed his first career World Cup podium with a win at Saturday’s event in Minsk, Belarus. Teammate Chris Lillis landed on the podium in third, the second podium of his career in the venue where he set the record for the youngest man to win an aerials’ World Cup in 2016. Canada’s Irving Lewis came in second. 

Justin's win is the first American aerials World Cup victory since Kiley McKinnon in 2018, and the first men's victory since Chris won in Belarus in 2016. 

The U.S. has historically done well in Minsk and today was no exception despite the variable snow conditions, light rain and some wind. Seven Americans qualified for finals: Megan Nick, Kaila Kuhn, Winter Vinecki, Ashley Caldwell, Jon Lillis, Chris and Justin. 

It was a night for the men and Justin’s double full full full in Super Finals earned him a score of 124.89 out of a possible 135.75. Chris jumped the same trick and to earn his third place with a score of 122.17. Jon Lillis competed a full double full full in finals, but finished outside of the top six and ended the night in eighth. 

“I'm pretty speechless right now,” said Justin of his win. Collecting his thoughts he continued, “I’m just shocked. It just all came so quick, all of a sudden the two finals were over and I was on top of the podium. I probably landed two of my training jumps yesterday but I managed to land all of my comp jumps down to my feet which was exactly what I was looking for. I just kept my mindset like I would have in training like I said I would and it ended up paying off!"

"It feels a lot different than [my podium] did in 2016," reflected Chris. "In 2016 I was the youngest guy to win a World Cup, it was my fourth World Cup ever. Today I was coming more from a place of confidence and knowing I had that podium-caliber, as opposed to getting up there and not expecting it—feels rewarding to do it that way. I can't speak enough to how much better our team is as a whole since Vlad took over last year. We've been working so hard and grinding every day. To podium with Justin—who is my best friend—and Lewis, who I’ve been competing with since I was 14, made it all that much more awesome!"

On the women’s side, Australia’s Laura Peel won the event, and Chinese athletes Xu Mengtao came in second, with Xu Sicon in third. 

After her first finals jump, a full full earning 85.05, Ashley was extremely happy with her performance and yelled an “Oh yeah!” in the finish area. She jumped a full double full in the super final round but didn’t have a clean landing and ended the night in fifth. Winter jumped right before Ashley, and although she didn’t stick her landing, Ashley kept the vibes positive saying, “Right now we’re in first and second!” Ashley was in good spirits in the finish area, congratulating her fellow competitors as they waited for their scores. Kaila Kuhn finished seventh and Megan Nick finished eighth.

The fun isn’t over for aerials in Minsk. The Team competes in a Synchro event on Sunday before heading over to Kazakhstan for another World Cup competition, the first aerials World Cup held in the country.  

RESULTS
Women’s Aerials
Men’s Aerials

After a travel day from Meraker, Norway on Friday, the Davis U.S. Cross Country Ski Team arrived in Trondheim, Norway—the final destination of the Ski Tour 2020—for a classic sprint. Sophie Caldwell and Sadie Maubet Bjornsen were the top finishers for the Americans, finishing 14th and 16th, respectively.

With 10,000 Norwegians watching in the Granasen Ski Centre, Maiken Caspersen Falla put on a show in front of the home crowd to take the win. Linn Svahn of Sweden was second and Nadine Faehndrich of Switzerland third.

The weather was a combination of rain, snow, and sun throughout the day, which made waxing difficult. "It was a fun sprint course with some fast downhills and nice stride-able uphills and there were varying kinds of skis on a tricky wax day," said Sophie. "Some of us felt that our skis weren't the fastest out there, but tomorrow is another day and we are looking forward to one more stage that could bring all kinds of excitement with more rain, snow and sun all in the forecast!"

Sadie said she felt sharp and powerful through the qualifier, but couldn’t hold it through the heats. “I was quick out of the start, but struggled to hold the speed up the first climb,” commented Sadie. “Since climbing is generally my strength, it’s unclear whether it was skis, body or both that held me back. But, that’s how ski racing is. You can’t overthink anything too much—you just keep believing and chasing away!”

Julia Kern had her first FIS World Cup classic sprint points finish, taking 20th place. Rosie Brennan was just behind her in 21st and Jessie Diggins took 23rd. Katharine Ogden, Alayna Sonnesyn, Caitlin Patterson and Rosie Frankowski all started but did not qualify for the heats.  

"We just finished stage five out of six races in the Ski Tour and while it wasn't our best day, we're proud to have made it this far," added Sophie. "It's hard to know how your body is going to respond at the end of a tour, but I think we all woke up feeling ready to give it a go. It's definitely not a bad day to have five girls make the heats, but I know we were left wanting more."

Delighting the Norwegian crowd, it was a clean sweep on the men’s side with Norway in first through fifth place. Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo took the win, Paal Golberg second and Erik Valnes third.

No U.S. men finished in the points or made it to the heats. Simi Hamilton wasn’t feeling well enough to start and Logan Hanneman was just outside of qualifying. Kevin Bolger, Ben Lustgarten and David Norris also started for the men.

“Today was not our best day out there,” said Head Coach Chris Grover. “It’s quite unusual for us to not be able to advance some women to the semifinal and the final, but the Ski Tour 2020 is a strange beast! Our silver lining is that Jessie is sixth overall in the Tour, Rosie is 10th and Sadie is hovering just outside the top-10 in 12th.”

The team goes into the final day of the Ski Tour on Sunday with a 15/30k classic pursuit. “It is the tour of crazies for me, so I’m going to let it go and look on to ‘the chase’ tomorrow,” said Sadie. “With the Tour ending with a 15k classic, I am sitting just outside the top 10 overall and really hoping to climb my way within that tomorrow. Let’s see if I can channel all amounts of frustration towards some constructive racing in the final day!”

Chris also said he’s excited about the final event on Sunday. “We are looking forward to a big day tomorrow in the 15/30k classic and finishing this tour with some momentum,” said Chris. “We’d like to thank the organizers of this logistically intricate Ski Tour 2020 for an amazing experience and for the depth of their vision creating this event!”

RESULTS
Women
Men

STANDINGS (Through Stage 5)
Women
Men

Sunday, Feb. 23
Stage 6 Trondheim, NOR
Classic pursuit, 15k women, 30k men

HOW TO WATCH

Sunday, Feb 23
5:00 a.m. - Ski Tour 2020, Women’s 15k pursuit, Trondheim, NOR - OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
7:05 a.m. - Ski Tour 2020, Men’s 30k pursuit, Trondheim, NOR - OlympicChannel.com, NBC Sports Gold
12:00 p.m.. - Ski Tour 2020, Women’s 15k pursuit, Trondheim, NOR - Olympic Channel*
1:00 p.m. - Ski Tour 2020, Men’s 30k pursuit, Trondheim, NOR - Olympic Channel*

*Same-day broadcast

Note: All televised events to stream across NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app, OlympicChannel.com, and Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA app

Exclusive commercial-free coverage will be available for subscribers of the NBC Sports Gold Pass, available here: https://www.nbcsports.com/gold/snow.