FREESTYLIN' AT DEER VALLEY
Michelle Roark
photos by Mike Riewood
It's here! Another freestyle world cup at our own Deer Valley Resort. How do you know? Because when you pull up to Deer Valley at dawn to work the race (I am the press room manager for the event) the sun is rising up over the Champion mogul run (the same one used during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games), the mind-blowing kickers for the aerial jumpers loom overhead, the international flags are waving, and athletes in matching uniform jackets are runn
ing about town, throwing snowballs at each other (I marvel at this - to see them playing in the snow - when they're competing on it all day and yet they still have a playful spirit about it).
Today was the men's and women's moguls event. Our American gals kicked it today! Seven Americans made it to the 16-person final, and five placed in the final ten, with Hannah Kearney at #1, Michelle Roark at #2, Shannon Bahrke at #6, Kayla Snyderman at #7 and Shelley Robertson at #8! The American men also fared very well, with Patrick Deenan at #3, Landon Gardner at #7 and David Digravio at #10
.
Friday here is all about aerials - qualifiers during the day and finals at night under the lights - Saturday is the halfpipe ski event at Park City Mountain Resort in the morning and dual moguls qualifiers Saturday afternoon and finals Saturday night under the lights at Deer Valley. These are some of the best athletes in the world, people - and all of the events are free at Deer Valley's beautiful venue. Check it out! For a complete schedule of events, see deervalley.com.
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 21 years ago and hasn't looked back.
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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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