FLYING HIGH AT DEER VALLEY AND PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT
Wow! The aerials action under the lights at Deer Valley Resort last night was unbelievably exciting. It was a perfect night for aerials competition - clear, cool and no wind. The crescent moon hung sideways right over the kickers, so as the athletes came off them, twisting, spinning and twirling, they looked like they were going to touch the moon. An enthusiastic crowd of about 4,000 showed up to take it all in. Every one of the athletes interviewed thanked the crowd for their support - it truly means a lot to them, so keep it up, Park City!
Our own Park City local (and Park City Magazine blogger) Emily Cook took third place - her second podium placement of the year so far on the World Cup circuit. Congratulations, Emily! On the men's side, Parkite Jeret "Speedy" Peterson nailed two incredible jumps and was all smiles, telling the crowd that he hadn't landed anything all week, so he was quite relieved! He had a great shot at a podium position until the very last jumper pushed him down to fourth place instead of third. We're still proud of you, Speedy! Your jumps were spectacular. Luckily, another American and part time Park City local Ryan St. Onge took first place, with his family here to watch. Yahooo! Ryan appeared in our magazine a few winters ago as a model for après-ski clothes. Thanks again, Ryan.
Today, Park City Mountain Resort will host the skier halfpipe event which should prove to be fantastic viewing right at the base of the mountain. When I drove to the event early this morning, athletes were already out catching huge air in the pipe. It's a bluebird day and comfortable temperatures for spectating. Finals are at 12:30 p.m.
Tonight you have one more chance for under-the-lights action at Deer Valley - the dual moguls! Qualifying rounds start at 4:45 p.m. with finals at 8pm tonight followed by fireworks.
What I Left Out:
A cute little "behind the scenes" story from yesterday:
Event chief of press Christa Graff's 3-year-old daughter Camden attends Deer Valley Academy pre-school and the class was supposed to go out and watch the aerials event yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, the school ended up not having enough teachers to escort 17 3-and 4-year-olds up the hill. Graff made a call to her husband, Steve, to inform him of the disappointing news. Steve said simply, "I'll take care of it." Now - you should know that Steve just happens to be Deer Valley's ski patrol manager, so the next thing we knew, six Deer Valley ski patrollers showed up at the bottom of Burns chairlift to personally escort all of the 3- and 4-year olds up the chairlift to the event. It was like some sort of honor guard for little tykes, with the red coats flanking the children up the hill. The kids just thought it was the coolest, and Camden was beside herself with pride: "Hey! There's my Daddy! He's a ski patrol!" Now that's the "Deer Valley Difference."
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Kristen Gould Case is editor of Park City Magazine and a freelance writer who publishes nationally. Weaned on the blue ice slopes of New England, she moved to Park City 23 years ago and hasn't looked back.
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