This Saturday, Aug. 24, the best aerials skiers in the world put on a show at the Utah Olympic Park water ramps for the 2024 U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave, where Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team member Winter Vinecki landed on the podium in third. 

The UOP was packed on a beautiful windy day in Utah, as aerials skiers from the United States, Canada, China, Australia and more had the opportunity to kickstart their 2024-25 season by landing in water instead of on snow. 

The majority of the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athletes were on the starting lineup for this event, including Olympic gold medalists Chris Lillis and Justin Schoenefeld. Lillis led the way for the U.S. men, finishing sixth. Ashton Salwan was the next-best finish, landing in ninth, followed by Derek Krueger in 13th, Schoenefeld in 14th and Ian Schoenwald in 15th. 

Vinecki shined for the U.S. women throughout the day, finishing in third place, a remarkable achievement coming back from a knee procedure earlier this summer. Right behind her was Kaila Kuhn, who finished fourth on the day. Tasia Tanner also made finals, finishing seventh, followed by Dani Loeb in eighth, Amelia Glogowski of Park City Ski & Snowboard in ninth and Kyra Dossa in 10th. Rounding out the finals qualifiers were Karenna Elliott in 11th and Catherine McEneany of PCSS in 12th. 

The second annual FIS Grand Prix World Tour is halfway completed. Athletes are now heading to Czechia for two competitions from Aug. 31-Sept. 1, followed by the final events of the summer in China on Sept. 21-22.

“I learned that I don’t enjoy winter if I don’t ski,” laughed DuPratt. “There’s not much to do.” 

Sam DuPratt, World Cup speed skier on the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team is ready to return to snow after  yet another road to recovery when he sustained a knee injury in the Bormio World Cup of last season. However, he is no stranger to a triumphant return, facing major injury setbacks in the past. 

“I made it healthy for 25 years of ski racing and then injuries have been piling on,” recalled DuPratt, now 30 years old, as he ran through his workout of the day at the USANA Center of Excellence powered by iFit. “I broke my legs three years ago and then I unfortunately tore my ACL in one of my early World Cups back last season, so here we are round two of rehab.”

The past five years have not been easy – to say the least – yet one theme remains abundantly clear with DuPratt, he does not intend to walk away from a challenge. 

THE BACKSTORY 

In 2020, DuPratt suffered an extreme injury while racing the Val Gardena, Italy downhill training run, breaking both of his legs. This resulted in countless hours of surgeries, repairs and rehab, and left him out of the start gate for two full seasons. 

The road to recovery was long, challenging and at times dark, but he fought his way back to good health and good shape. DuPratt skied the full NorAm circuit in the 2022-23 season, winning the super-G title and earning his spot back on the World Cup speed team. 

Fast forward to December 2023, his first World Cup back paradoxically took place in Val Gardena, where he injured himself years earlier. 

“It was pretty poetic to have my first World Cup back be in Gardena where I went down three years ago,” said DuPratt while racing in Val Gardena this past season. 

One training run…two training runs…and race day. He made it down unscathed with teammates in the finish ready to greet him. 

“The fear of crashing again is definitely something I thought about, but it happens and I just need to accept it and work on my skiing. I'm happy to be back,” commented DuPratt after his first official World Cup back on the circuit. 

DARK AND BUMPY BORMIO

After two solid races, it was onward to the next speed series in Bormio, Italy, a track famous for being dark, bumpy and difficult, and the host of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Several skiers before DuPratt in the start order crashed, including the overall World Cup leader at the time, Austrian Marco Schwarz. 

“It's a scary track but it caters to the smaller guys and I was really excited and maybe overamped,” recalled DuPratt. 

DuPratt, running later in the field, had plenty of time to think about his run. He was confident and ready to go, however the race had other plans. 

“I crashed on the third gate, the first jump,” he said. “I guess I just wasn't ready for it and it kicked me funny.” 

The fall in Bormio led to a torn knee, which meant yet another round of rehab. 

“To be honest, I lost motivation after this injury. I thought this was going to be it,” said DuPratt. “I was ready to be done with the sport. It's taken a lot from me but also given me everything.” 

The choice to keep burning the ski racing flame or call it a day did not come easy. 

IT’S WORTH IT

One phrase that DuPratt keeps in mind is “it’s worth it,” three words that have become a defining anecdote in his career—so much so that his teammates have also grabbed hold of its weight. 

“This year in Bormio, I was sitting in the start hut with Sam,” said teammate River Radamus. “We were sitting up there watching helicopter after helicopter come waiting because all these kids keep getting injured. Then it's our turn, and the thing he says to me right before we go is that ‘it’s worth it.’ This was just before he crashed and sent himself on another recovery season.”

The mantra has also taken hold of Radamus, who recalled an emotional moment at the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup. 

“Flash forward to Palisades. I am in a position you dream about,” he said, referring to a stellar first run that put him in line for a podium finish. “To get to the start, you have to walk through a slew of people. So as I am snaking my way through the crowd, someone taps me on the shoulder and says, ‘It's worth it.’ I look back and it's Sam on crutches. I smile back, get on the lift crying and accept the moment and everything I put into this and all that is always on the line with the opportunity I have been given.”

Radamus went on to take his first career World Cup podium in Palisades that day with DuPratt cheering him on in the crowd.

A GOOD TEAM BEHIND HIM

Months later in the gym and just a few days from a return to snow camp in South America, DuPratt still has the fire of an American Downhiller dream in his eyes. 

“It’s a good group right now,” smiled DuPratt when speaking of the men’s speed team. “We actually travel with a Nintendo 64. It's something we are very proud of, and when I got hurt, Bryce Bennett told me he left it in Austria so I had to come back. And now that’s part of what motivates me through this workout.” 

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Months of rehab later, DuPratt is ready now more than ever to ski again, taking the next step in his fight to accomplish his athlete pursuits. 

“I’m looking forward to taking it slow, spending two weeks with coach Ian Garner doing drills, free skiing and having fun. I think that will be good for me.”

For DuPratt, chasing down the dream will always be worth it. 

“It’s absolutely worth it. It seems like the more fun and intoxicating it is…the more it's worth it for your soul.” 

From July 28 to August 2, the next generation of aerials skiers flocked to Lake Placid, NY, for the Freestyle Aerials Project Gold camp. 

Project Gold camps are progressive camps designed for elite-level talent development in freestyle aerial skiing. Top junior athletes are selected based on applications to apply for the camp. If accepted, athletes are invited to attend and train with the U.S. Freestyle Aerial Team and Development coaches. This camp was coached by head U.S. aerials coach Vladimir Lebedev, Jack Boyczuk (Park City Ski and Snowboard Head Aerials Coach), Wes Preston (Loon Freestyle and Freestyle America Program Director and Head Coach), and Olympic gold medalist and New York native Chris Lillis of the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team. 

By working in partnership with ORDA (New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority) and the USOPC, the Project Gold Camp brought 20 young athletes to Lake Placid to jump and train at the Olympic Jumping Complex and board at the Lake Placid Olympic and Paralympic Training Center.  

During the camp, all athletes trained back tucks, back lays and back fulls. By the end of the camp, five athletes had moved from the single to the double kicker and performed back-lay tucks. 

“I am very impressed with the depth of talent in this camp,” said Matt Gnoza, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Sport Director. “All of the athletes arrived with a great fundamental skill set, which allowed the Project Gold coaches to help the athletes learn new tricks and skills during the five-day camp. Moving forward, U.S. Ski & Snowboard will be naming a National Aerial Development Group offering members summer and winter aerial training.” 

Overall, the camp was an incredible success thanks to U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s partnerships with ORDA and the USOPC in Lake Placid. Next up, Freestyle Aerials Project Gold is heading to Park City and the Utah Olympic Park for another camp this week. 

Next Saturday, Aug. 24, Utah Olympic Park will welcome many of the best aerials skiers in the world for the 2024 U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave event. 

The competition will take place at the UOP water ramps, where freestyle athletes learn to progress their skills in the warmer months to prepare for on-snow training. 

The free event, running from 12 pm-5 pm on Aug. 24, will feature the majority of the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athletes, along with the best in the world from Argentina, Australia, Switzerland and Canada. Olympic gold medalists Ashley Caldwell, Chris Lillis and Justin Schoenefeld are slated to compete. Lillis enters the competition as the reigning champion from last year's inaugural event. 

Qualification begins at 12 p.m., and the top 12 finishers for men and women will advance to the finals, which are set to begin at 4:05 p.m. 

Following the FIS Grand Prix event will be the Flying Ace Allstars show on the water ramps - a unique opportunity to watch the U.S. athletes showcase world-class tricks to the public. Come to the U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave competition and stay for the Flying Ace Allstars!

Tickets are required to attend the Flying Ace show. More information on the U.S. Freestyle Ultimate Airwave competition and the Flying Ace show can be found on FIS and the UOP.

Stanley Buzek, of Silverthorne, CO is a young up-and-coming alpine tech skier on the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team. Before getting the call up to the National team, he spent years skiing and training with Team Summit. Buzek impressed the world in his first season with the national team when he earned a fifth-place result at the Junior World Championships slalom race, shooting up from bib 38. His result turned heads all around, including FIS, who featured him as their “Warrior of the Day.” Buzek also succeeded on the NorAm circuit this past season, earning a podium in the slalom discipline. 

We sat down to ask him about his background, most recent successes and goals for the coming seasons. 

Get to know Stanley! 

Q: What initially drew you to this sport?

STANLEY BUZEK: I started skiing when I was little because my parents loved skiing, so they would take me with them at a young age. I quickly grew to love it and have been skiing as much as possible ever since.

Q: What were your goals when you were younger and getting into the sport?

SB: When I was younger, my goal was to be on the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, so it is very exciting to be living that dream right now!

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?

SB: I am most proud of my slalom result at the Junior World Championships last year when I achieved fifth place. That result gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season, and it helped me realize what I was capable of.

Q: What is your ultimate goal?

SB: My ultimate goal is to win the Overall FIS Slalom Crystal Globe.

Q: Can you describe a particularly emotional moment? 

SB: An emotional moment for me was getting fifth at the World Junior Championships in the slalom. That was one of the best runs I have ever had, and it was unreal sitting in the leader's chair at the bottom, watching people come down after me. 

Q: Who are your heroes?

SB: When I was younger, I looked up to Austrian legend Marcel Hirscher and loved watching his highlight videos. These days, I watch a lot of Clement Noel because we have a more similar build. However, I am super excited to watch Hirscher come back this year.

Follow Stanley on social media here. 

Former U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athlete and longtime freestyle coach Timothy "Corey" Hacker passed away on Aug. 5, 2024, at the age of 52 after a long battle with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders. 

Hacker grew up in western New York and quickly learned to ski at Kissing Bridge in Glenwood, NY. During his time in high school at the Springville Griffith Institute, Hacker was an award-winning defensive back in the fall and a full-time skier in the winter, traveling across New England to any hill that he could train at. He spent his summers water ramping in Lake Placid, NY practicing his jumps at the Olympic Jumping Complex and following graduation from Springville in 1991, Hacker moved to Park City, UT to pursue aerials skiing full-time. 

In 1995, his dream of making the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team came true, and he quickly became a name to remember in the aerials world. In only his third season with the team, Hacker was named the 1998 NorAm Champion following a handful of podiums and a win in the 1997-98 season. In 2001, Hacker was a part of the team sent to represent the United States at the 2001 FIS Freestyle World Championships in Whistler, CAN, where he finished fifth, sweeping third-sixth place alongside his teammates Joe Pack, Eric Bergoust and Jerry Grossi. During his time with the team, Hacker met his wife and fellow New York native Kelly Hilliman, also a U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials team member and following his retirement in 2003, Hacker stayed with Hilliman in Park City to support her athletic endeavors before marrying and moving back to New York in 2006. 

Shortly after returning to the East Coast, Hacker and Hilliman founded the FLITE (Focus Leads Individuals to Excellence) Team at HoliMont in Ellicottville, NY, a competitive freestyle development program for aerials and moguls skiers. Over the last 17 years, Hacker and Hilliman grew the program from 20 to 70 athletes and 22 staff members. In addition to coaching and being the co-program director for FLITE, Hacker also worked as a graphic artist for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.

Hacker is survived by his wife, Hilliman, and their three children, two of whom are on the FLITE Team. They have grown into a truly generational freestyle family, with many members of their immediate and extended family participating in freestyle skiing in some way, whether as athletes, coaches, or officials. Hacker's reputation is one of excellence as an athlete and a coach. His commitment to his community and legacy will continue inspiring freestyle skiers for generations to come. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and the FLITE community. 

Visitation hours will be held at Hoover Beach Community Center, 60 North Shore, Hamburg, NY 14219, Thursday, Aug. 15, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at HoliMont at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Hacker’s Hope Ski Fund at @HackerCo, Hackershope.com. 

ESPN released its list ranking the top 25 Olympians of the 21st century, complete with five U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and alumni. Mikaela Shiffrin, Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn, Chloe Kim and Lindsey Jacobellis all placed within the list. 

Shiffrin was the top ranked U.S. Ski & Snowboard athlete listed in fifth. She is a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time gold medalist, and the winningest skier of all-time with 97 World Cup wins and 60 World Cup slalom wins, the most in a single discipline. 

At number seven is retired snowboard star Shaun White. White is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in halfpipe and is a 15-time X Games medalist. One of the most successful men’s snowboarders in history, he is still active in the action sports world, launching his own professional snowboard and freeski league. 

Snowboarder Chloe Kim came in at number 12 on the list. Kim is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, nine-time X Games medalist and the youngest woman to win Olympic halfpipe gold. She is still actively competing and is a fierce competitor on the international circuit. 

Retired alpine skier Lindsey Vonn is ranked 16th on the list of top Olympians. Vonn is a three-time Olympic medalist, gold medalist and holds 82 world cup victories to her name. Vonn was widely known to be a speed force within the world of alpine skiing. She was also known to have impressive injury comebacks in her tenure within the sport. 

Ranked 20th on the list of top Olympians is snowboard cross athlete and most decorated snowboarder in history Lindsey Jacobellis. Jacobellis is a three-time Olympic medalist and won two golds medals at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Jacobellis is the first snowboarder to win multiple golds in one Olympic Games when she earned gold in individual snowboard cross and mixed team. 

The list contained a myriad of other top and widely known international Olympic athletes including Michael Phelps ranked first, gymnastics star Simone Biles at number two as well as many other sports stars across track, cycling, hockey and more. The full list is found here. 

(Salt Lake City, UT) - July 24, 2024 — Salt Lake City, Utah has been selected to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, a decision made during the 142nd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Paris, France, on July 24, 2024. The historic decision marks the fifth time the Winter Olympic Games have been held in the USA and 32 years since Utah last hosted the world.

The anticipation for the 2034 Games is already building, with the Olympics tentatively scheduled from February 10-26 and the Paralympics from March 10-19, 2034. This nomination places Utah in a unique position, continuing America's proud legacy of hosting the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, with previous events in Lake Placid (1932, 1980), Olympic Valley (1960), and Salt Lake City (2002).

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has a strong history with the Games. More than 40% of Team USA is made up of U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes traditionally win more than 60% of medals earned at the Games. The Utah Olympics are particularly exciting, as U.S. Ski & Snowboard is headquartered in Park City, Utah at the USANA Center of Excellence powered by iFit. 

The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are scheduled to use 13 existing venues from the 2002 Games alongside a single temporary venue. The venues will span the state, with skiing and snowboarding events expected to be hosted at Deer Valley Resort, Solider Hollow Nordic Center, Park City Mountain, Snowbasin Resort, the Utah Olympic Park, and a temporary structure for freeski and snowboard big air in downtown Salt Lake City. 

“We are thrilled to have Salt Lake City, Utah formally selected to host another Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, who was at the bid announcement in Paris. “We know that the Games helps to inspire the world and the next generation of athletes, and we are looking forward to being strong supporters and ambassadors of the Games in our home of Utah.”

“I'm so excited and honored to be part of the team officially bringing the Olympics back to Salt Lake City!” said Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn, who was part of the presentation in Paris and is Chair of Athlete Experience for the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 bid committee. “This feels like a full circle moment for me, remembering the magic of my first Olympics here in 2002. As Chair of Athlete Experience for Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, my focus is on creating an unparalleled experience not just for the athletes, but for the families who support them every step of the way. Salt Lake City is such a special place, and I'm excited to share it with the world again."

###

For further information, please contact:
Leann Bentley
Communications Manager, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
leann.bentley@usskiandsnowboard.org

Kasey Hogg, an up-and-comer on the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski team moguls team, had a breakout 2023-24 season. Hogg, who just wrapped up her best season yet, hails from Kensington, New Hampshire and Killington Mountain. While competing both on the Nor-Am and World Cup circuits, Hogg earned the moguls, dual moguls and overall Nor-Am champion titles while also becoming the first woman to ever compete a cork 1080 in a World Cup qualification run. 

Kasey is a fierce competitor and an athlete to watch this season. She will compete on the World Cup circuit full-time for the first time. We sat down with her to talk about her background and goals in moguls skiing. 

Q: What initially drew you to moguls?

KASEY HOGG: I was initially drawn to moguls when I saw the mogul program at Killington Mountain. My sister signed up, but until I was old enough my cousin, parents and I shredded the moguls on our own! It was so much fun that as soon as I was old enough, I joined the program and began competing. 

Q: When you were younger, getting into the sport, what were your goals?

KH: When I first started moguls skiing, my goal was always to try and win the regional competitions and beat my sister! As soon as I learned that moguls skiing was bigger than just that, I had always dreamed of being on the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and representing the United States. It was a crazy feeling when I achieved that goal and saw how hard work truly pays off! 

Q: What is one thing that you’re most proud of in your career so far?

KH: I am beyond proud of myself for winning the Nor-Am tour this year. I have come so far from the first Nor-Am tour that I competed in. After getting second on the tour twice, the overall win felt that much better. I was finally ready this year, and I am really proud of the work I put in to get there. Also, competing on the Nor-Am tour this year while competing in many World Cups before and after was a cool experience!

Q: What is your ultimate goal?

KH: My ultimate goal is to represent Team USA at the Olympics. When I first watched moguls skiing in the Olympics, I thought it was the coolest thing for these athletes to do what they love on the world’s biggest stage. I have many other goals as well, such as World Cup titles, pushing the sport of women’s moguls, and of course, having fun!

Q: Are there any moments you’ve experienced in your career that didn’t seem real?

KH: Making my first final under the lights at Deer Valley was the most unreal moment! I had always dreamed of skiing under the lights in front of a huge crowd, but standing at the top of the course and seeing all the people watching below was so special. Also, the fact my family was there to watch meant the world as well!

Q: Who were the athletes you looked up to when you were younger, or are they now?

KH: I always looked up to my older sister, Maddie. We were inseparable when it came to skiing, and being able to train, compete and travel with her is something not many siblings get to do. We made the Stifel U.S. Ski Team the same year, and it was so crazy seeing how far we had both come. She always pushed me, whether we were dueling each other, working out together, or simply doing anything. She did two years of the team and is now retired, but our competitiveness has led us to do a half IronMan together. No matter what, I will always look up to her on and off the hill!

Follow Kasey on social media.

The Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team just wrapped up their most successful season in history, with both men and women finding unprecedented success weekend after weekend, highlighted by the younger athletes on the team, including Zanden McMullen. McMullen is featured as the next On The Rise athlete, a U.S. Ski & Snowboard campaign highlighting athletes from each team rising to the top. McMullen has put together a string of solid races in the last couple of seasons, highlighted by multiple career-best World Cup results, four U.S. National Championships podiums, and a breakout performance in the Drammen, Norway classic sprint. 

This 2023-24 season, McMullen recorded 14 top-30 results – a feat not easily achieved at the sport's highest level – including a top-20 result in the classic sprint in Drammen, Norway. At the season's culmination, McMullen was ranked third in the World for men under-23 (U23 category). McMullen is succeeding on and off the snow in a strong U.S. men’s team. 

McMullen is from Anchorage, AK. He trains with the Alaska Pacific University (APU) Elite Team alongside many Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes and is working towards the 2024-25 season. We caught up with McMullen to chat about his career highlights, goals, and what success means to him. 

Q: “What initially drew you to this sport?” 

ZANDEN: “I have always enjoyed being active outdoors and doing it with friends. My mom used to take me skiing when I was really young, and I enjoyed ripping across the snow and through the woods. The more I skied over the years, the more I realized it was the sport for me.”

Q: “When you were younger, getting into the sport, what were your goals?” 

Z: “I didn’t have any goals until high school. Even then, my goals were to make varsity or a junior national team. Every year, I surprise myself and set my goals higher and higher.” 

Q: “Are there any moments you’ve experienced in your career that didn’t seem real?” 

Z: “I flew into Ruka, Finland, with the team to prep for the start of the season, and everything felt pretty normal. I had raced overseas before and already knew the whole team well, so nothing felt different. It wasn’t until the venue was completely set up and the fans poured into the stands that I started to feel something different. Seeing the other World Cup skiers suit up and lock in for the race made me realize I wasn’t watching them through a screen anymore. I went through all my normal motions for a race day and was ready. When I went through the starting wand and down the first hill, I started laughing and thinking, “I’m racing a World Cup.” I was in disbelief- waiting to wake up at any second.”

Q: “What was it like to race in Minneapolis? And be part of a moment that was a defining moment in the history of American ski racing?” 

Z: Racing in Minneapolis has genuinely been the most exciting part of my career so far. Some venues in Europe occasionally have the same crowd size, but NEVER the same energy and stoke. For the first time in my career, I felt like an NBA superstar walking onto the arena floor for a playoff game. It was also the first time in a race I couldn’t feel ANYTHING. The crowd was so loud the whole way around the course that I couldn’t hear myself think (if that makes any sense). I was just floating out on the skis, trying to embrace the moment and focus on the race.

When you’re racing in Europe all winter and only see one or two American flags in the crowd every weekend, it’s hard to believe that there is a whole country of crazy ski fans in your corner. After Minneapolis, I can confidently race over the ocean, knowing so many people have our backs and are cheering for the USA.

Q: “What is one thing you’re most proud of in your career so far?/what is your biggest accomplishment?”

Z: “My proudest moment in my ski career was achieving my first World Cup top 30. It wasn’t my best race ever (in terms of performance to potential), but it was a true ‘holy cow I’ve made it’ moment that I’ll never forget.” 

Q: “What is your ultimate goal now that you achieved your earlier career goals?”

Z: “I want to become one of the most successful American skiers in history and inspire future generations of skiers and athletes.” 

Q: “Who were the athletes you looked up to when you were younger, or are they now?”

Z: “Luke Jager and Gus Schumacher have inspired and motivated me more than any other skier. I started racing them back in my late elementary school years in Alaska. They were only one year older than me, but they were already vetted Olympians. I had the privilege of watching and racing them as I grew up and trying to learn as much as possible from them. Eventually, I became competitive with them and practiced daily as teammates.” 

Follow Zanden on Instagram and Facebook to get a first-hand look into his training, life outside of the sport, and everything in between.