U.S. Ski & Snowboard Nominates Freestyle Team Roster for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022
U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today its nominations for the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team that will represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. Nominations are to be confirmed by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee when it formally announces the U.S. Olympic Team.
The 15 member U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team boasts a deep roster of talented athletes. First-time Olympian aerialists Kaila Kuhn, Chris Lillis, Megan Nick, Justin Schoenefeld and Winter Vinecki will look to make their mark on aerial skiing history. Ashley Caldwell will make her fourth Games appearance, and Eric Loughran will appear in his second.
Six moguls athletes will compete in their first Games: Olivia Giaccio, Kai Owens, Hannah Soar, Nick Page, Cole McDonald and Dylan Walczyk. Jaelin Kauf will ski in her second Olympics and Brad Wilson in his third.
Freestyle’s action-packed schedule kicks off before the Opening Ceremony with the first qualifying round for moguls on February 3. The finals for men’s moguls are February 5, with the women’s finals on February 6. Mixed Team Aerials, which features a team of three athletes of mixed gender with individual scores combined for a total score over two final rounds, will make its Olympic debut on February 10. Women’s aerials qualifying is scheduled for February 13, and the finals are February 14. Men’s aerials qualifying takes place on February 15, with the finals scheduled for February 16.
2022 U.S. OLYMPIC FREESTYLE TEAM
(Name; hometown, birthday; club; past Olympics)
Aerials Team
Women
- Ashley Caldwell, Ashburn, Virginia; 9/14/93; Elite Aerial Development Program (Olympics: 2010, 2014, 2018)
- *Kaila Kuhn, Boyne City, Michigan; 4/8/03; Park City Ski & Snowboard
- *Megan Nick, Shelburne, Vermont; 7/9/96; Elite Aerial Development Program
- *Winter Vinecki, Gaylord, Michigan;12/18/98; Park City Ski & Snowboard
Men
- *Chris Lillis, Pittsford, New York; 10/4/98; Bristol Mountain Freestyle
- Eric Loughran, Pelham, New Hampshire; 4/12/95; Loon Mountain Freestyle (Olympics: 2018)
- *Justin Schoenefeld, Lawrenceburg, Indiana; 8/13/98; Perfect North Slopes
Moguls Team
Women
- *Olivia Giaccio, Redding, Connecticut; 8/15/00; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
- Jaelin Kauf, Alta, Wyoming; 9/26/96; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (Olympics: 2018)
- *Kai Owens, Vail, Colorado; 8/16/04; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
- *Hannah Soar, Killington, Vermont; 6/4/99; Killington Mountain School
Men
- *Cole McDonald, Park City, Utah; 3/6/03; Wasatch Freestyle
- *Nick Page, Park City, Utah; 8/1/02; Wasatch Freestyle
- *Dylan Walczyk, Rochester, New York; 6/25/93; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
- Brad Wilson, Butte, Montana; 6/5/92; Wasatch Freestyle (Olympics: 2014, 2018)
*Denotes first-time Olympian
Watch Team USA compete on the networks of NBC throughout the Olympics, February 4-20, 2022.
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ATHLETE QUOTES:
Megan Nick
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and all the people who have helped get me here because this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
Winter Vinecki
“It has been years and years of sacrifices and setbacks. To finally reach the Olympics really is a dream come true. This accomplishment represents an incredible amount of determination and perseverance. It makes me proud and excited knowing I have fully dedicated myself to be among the best in the world at something I love. I just cannot wait to be standing on top of that hill for my Olympic competition jump.”
Chris Lillis
“I’m absolutely honored to represent the U.S. in the Beijing Olympics! It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid and not only a dream of mine but one that I’ve shared with my entire family including my two brothers. Being able to complete that dream is not only a personal success from a lifetime of training, but also in a lot of ways me continuing a legacy in my family and my community in Rochester of representing my country at the highest level.”
Hannah Soar
“Getting to represent Team USA at the Olympics is a dream; just hearing the Olympic theme song on TV gives me chills! The Olympics have always been bigger than sport for me. I love that the true purpose is to bring the world together over the commonality of sport. I think that is what I am most excited about, I get to do my favorite thing, mogul skiing, all while getting to represent the USA at an event that truly brings the world together.”
Nick Page
“It’s pretty cool to look back to 2010 when I watched Bryon Wilson medal in Vancouver—to think at that point, I saw the Olympics as this shining star of somewhere I wanted to be but with no idea how to get there. Through the work with Wasatch Freestyle, the U.S. Ski Team and all the support from those around me, I found a way to make it happen, which is pretty special. I have to think the 2010 version of myself would be pretty excited knowing that this was coming down the road. I can’t wait to go to China and compete. Taking in the Olympic atmosphere will be amazing and I’m so excited for what will come in the next few weeks.”
COACH QUOTES
Matt Gnoza, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Head Moguls Coach
“The 2022 Olympic roster for moguls is stacked with an impressive lineup of Olympic veterans and new-to-the-Games talent. These athletes have put in the work and are excited and ready to make their mark in the sport. We’re heading into Beijing well-prepared and with a clear understanding of what we need to execute in order to be successful.”
Vladimir Lebedev, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Head Aerials Coach
“I am so proud of the work that the athletes nominated to this aerials Olympic team have put in for the last three years. Each athlete has been on a multi-year plan to develop their jump package for an ideal Olympic performance. They have each achieved success at the World Cup and World Championships level in both singles and the team event. We’re coming into Beijing with a highly competitive roster of athletes and I look forward to having them perform at their peak on the world’s highest sporting stage.”
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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
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lara Carlton
U.S. Freestyle Team Olympic Press Officer
lara.carlton@usskiandsnowboard.org
