TAZAWAKO, Japan (Feb. 25, 2016) – After a three-week break in competition, the FIS Freestyle moguls World Cup is back in action this weekend with moguls and dual moguls competitions Feb. 27-28 in Tazawako, Japan. With the 2015-16 World Cup season winding down, U.S. athletes are looking to post more solid results and bump up their rankings in the overall standings.
Tazawako was action packed for the U.S. team last season, with alumna Hannah Kearney claiming another victory, Morgan Schild taking home her first World Cup podium and win, and Jeremy Cota finishing second and earning his eighth World Cup podium. This year, on the women’s side, Mikaela Matthews is leading the U.S. in the overall standings, sitting fourth. World Cup rookie Jaelin Kauf (Steamboat, CO) who landed her first podium at the beginning of the month at Deer Valley Resort, will also be one to watch.
This weekend’s competitions also mark the return of Brad Wilson (Butte, MT) to the World Cup circuit. Wilson, who suffered a knee injury at the World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland in 2014, had his return to snow during the summer and has been training with the team leading up to Tazawako. The U.S. men have consistently finished in the top 20 all season and will be looking to break through on to the podium before season’s end. Dylan Walczyk, Thomas Rowley (Long Beach, NY) and Cota are all currently in the top 20 for the men’s moguls World Cup standings.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The FIS Freestyle moguls World Cup continues this weekend in Tazawako, Japan.
- Competition begins with moguls on Saturday, Feb. 27 and concludes with dual moguls on Sunday, Feb. 28.
- Live timing and a full event schedule are available via FIS Freestyle.
U.S. Freestyle Ski Team Starters – Tazawako, Japan
Men
Jeremy Cota (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club)
Joe Discoe (Telluride, CO; Telluride Freestyle Club)
Troy Murphy (Bethel, ME; Park City Freestyle Ski Team)
Tom Rowley (Long Beach, NY; Hunter Mountain Freestyle Team)
Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY; Ski and Snowboard Club Vail)
Brad Wilson (Butte, MT; Wasatch Freestyle, Deer Valley Resort)
Bryon Wilson (Butte, MT; Wasatch Freestyle, Deer Valley Resort)
Women
Nessa Dziemian (East Hampstead, NH; Carrabassett Valley Academy)
Ali Kariotis (Tiburon, CA; Squaw Valley Freestyle Team)
Jaelin Kauf (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club)
Mikaela Matthews (Frisco, CO; Team Summit)
Keaton McCargo (Telluride, CO; Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club)
