Ten Americans, including seven U.S. Freeski Team members, are en route to Font Romeu, France, for the first FIS Freeski Slopestyle World Cup of the season Thursday through Saturday. 

U.S. Freeski Pro Team athlete Kiernan Fagan will be leading the charge for the U.S. as the only American competing with a World Cup podium under his belt. Last year, during his first-ever season contesting in World Cup level competition, Kiernan earned two top-three finishes out the three slopestyle World Cups he entered.

"I’m definitely hyped to be in Font Romeu for my first time," said Kiernan. "The course looks sick and I’m feeling pretty strong going into this event. It would be awesome to earn another World Cup podium here and hopefully back up Alex Hall’s win from last year. I’m also hyped to have my twin brother Deven here. It would be a dream to have us both on the podium together."

Joining Kiernan are U.S. Freeski Rookie Team members Deven Fagan (twin-brother of Kiernan), Hunter Henderson, Marin Hamill, Rell Harwood, Grace Henderson, and Cody LaPlante. Font Romeu will be Cody’s first slopestyle competition as he returns from a knee injury suffered last season. Cody proved he has his legs back underneath him in the Beijing and Atlanta big air events and will be looking for his first podium result in World Cup competition. 

“After competing in both Beijing and Atlanta big airs, I feel pretty good about where I stand,” Cody reflected. “But at the same time, big air competition rarely translates into slopestyle. I know that I’m going into the competition mindset way more prepared after those two big airs, but it will be a whole different story when it comes to linking up a full run! I am super excited to finally be able to work on some other tricks that are more slopestyle oriented. I feel more creative and progressive in a slopestyle course compared to big air where I just wanted to put down a trick. I know that with all the hard work I put in this year, the event should be awesome.”

Although there are some large shoes to fill with Alex Hall winning last year’s event, Cody is only focussed on himself and continuing to improve. 

“I’d love to play a part in holding down the top spot on the podium in Font Romeu for the U.S. after A-Hall’s performance last year, but I’m more focused on being the best skier and athlete I can be”

Also set to compete in Font Romeu are Americans Ryan Stevenson, Tim Ryan, and Peter Raich. 

HOW TO WATCH
Subject to change
All times EST
*Same-day delayed broadcast

FREESKI
Saturday, Jan. 11
4:00 a.m. - Men and women’s slopestyle, Font Romeu, France, Olympic Channel.com, NBC Sports Gold
10:30 a.m. - Men and women’s slopestyle, Font Romeu, France, Olympic Channel*

All streams will be available via desktop (NBCSports.com/Gold and OlympicChannel.com) as well as mobile, tablet and connected television platforms. The NBC Sports and Olympic Channel app are available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.