Eight U.S. Freeski Team athletes are set to compete at the first FIS World Cup halfpipe event of the season in Cardrona, New Zealand September 6-7.

U.S. Pro Team athletes Birk Irving (Winter Park, Colo.), Hunter Hess (Bend, Ore.), Jaxin Hoerter (Breckenridge, Colo.), Lyman Currier (Boulder, Colo.), and 2019 FIS World Champion Aaron Blunck (Crested Butte, Colo.) will lead the way for the men.

“New Zealand is always a great place to start off the season," said Blunck. "It is a big contest with low pressure, so it if the perfect contest to just get comfortable and gain confidence leading into the North American season. Also, nothing beats the views down here in New Zealand, so that alone is an absolute treat!”

U.S. Rookie Team member Cassidy Jarrell (Aspen, Colo.) and U.S. Freeski Team alumnus Taylor Seaton (Avon, Colo.) will also participate. For the women, U.S. Freeski Rookie Team members Svea Irving (Winter Park, Colo.), Hanna Faulhaber (Carbondale, Colo.) and American Riley Jacobs (Oak Creek, Colo.) will take part. 

The freeski halfpipe competition will close out the snowsports portion of the Winter Games NZ at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Hoerter has already found success in the Cardrona halfpipe during Winter Games NZ finishing third in the Australian New Zealand Cup competition on Aug 28.

The last freeski halfpipe World Cup to take place at Cardrona was in September of 2017, where 2018 Olympic silver medalist Alex Ferreira (Aspen, Colo.) finished on the top of the podium. U.S. athletes will have their work cut out for them in their fight for the podium against a strong local field including New Zealand’s own Olympic bronze medalist Nico Porteous and brother Miguel Porteous. 

Tune in on the Olympic Channel to watch the U.S Freeski Team kick off the 2019-20 World Cup competition season.

HOW TO WATCH
*All times EST
Subject to change

FREESKI
Friday, Sept 6
7:00 p.m. - World Cup men’s and women’s halfpipe - Cardrona, New Zealand - Olympic Channel-TV & OlympicChannel.com