Mick Dierdorff (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) led the U.S. Snowboard Team at the 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championship, presented by Toyota, snowboardcross qualifications, finishing second at Solitude Mountain Resort Thursday.

“The course was pretty tough today,” said Dierdorff. “A couple of the turns didn’t set up all the way overnight, which made for some sugary conditions. One of the things I was really happy with in my run was my start. I had quick feet and felt like I really took off. I laced some of the turns, bombed across the finish line. Over the past few years, I have come to expect to be in that top five when I really lay it down. I knew coming out of the second to last turn that I put it all together. It’s always a good feeling to hear the announcer say that there’s a new leader. I was excited to hear that and it took a lot of weight off my shoulders.”

Following Dierdorff was 2018 Junior World Champion Jake Vedder (Pickney, Mich.) in sixth.

“I’m stoked to be in top-10 heading into (Friday's) finals,” said Vedder. “It’s going to be an awesome day. Today, I was lucky enough to drop first, which I have never done before in qualifications. They had just raked the turns and made them smoother for us, but for the rest of the guys, it was getting a lot bumpier. By tomorrow it should be iced over and perfect. It’s amazing to be on home soil and have four U.S. riders in the top ten. Also, It means the world to me to be part of the U.S. FIS World Championships Team. I am here to be the best in the world and that’s what we are going for tomorrow.”

Following Dierdorff and Vedder was eight-time X Games gold medalist Nate Holland (Squaw Valley, Calif.) finishing seventh, and three-time World Championships medalist Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, Mich.) in eighth. With all four U.S. men making it through to finals on their first run, it is anyone’s game rolling into Friday’s final round of competition.

For the ladies, defending World Champion Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.) qualified in fifth among the best riders in the world.

“It was great to be on U.S. soil and back at Solitude,” said Jacobellis. “Today’s course was fast and fun and I am excited to get into heats tomorrow.”

Jacobellis will be striving for her sixth World Championship victory. However, that milestone will not come easy competing against 2018 PyeongChang Olympic medalists Michela Moioli of Italy, Julia Pereira De Sousa Mabileau of France, and bronze medalist Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic. Tune in on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold to watch finals Friday.

RESULTS
Men’s Snowboardcross
Women’s Snowboardcross

START LISTS
Men’s Snowboardcross
Women’s Snowboardcross

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
SNOWBOARDING
Friday, Feb. 1
1:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s snowboardcross - Solitude, Utah - NBCSN & NBC Sports Gold

Four women and five men make up the U.S. snowboardcross team set to compete in Thursday’s FIS World Championships qualifying round of competition. For the men, competitors include 2018 Junior World Champion Jake Vedder (Pickney, Mich.), eight-time X Games gold medalist Nate Holland (Sandpoint, Idaho), three-time World Championship medalist Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, Mich.), and first time World Championships athlete Mick Dierdorff (Steamboat Springs, Colo.).

“To make the World Championships team and compete with a guy like Nate Holland, who I have looked up to my entire life is truly an honor to me,” said Vedder. “I podiumed in my last race in Italy and I have a lot of confidence coming into this event. I am looking forward to the race on Friday.”

Holland also shared his excitement to have a race back on U.S. soil.

“It’s good to be back racing on home soil,” he said. “We used to have a lot more races in the U.S. and this feels like a reunion. Also, it adds to the drive to earn a medal at World Championships. I was planning on retiring last year at the Olympics, but I didn’t make that team. I decided to go to Switzerland at the end of the season and ended up winning a contest. After, I looked at the schedule for the next season and decided my goal was to make it to Worlds and to basically have my family and friends come watch me race on U.S. soil one last time. I’m going to throw it down on that course and see what happens. I am here to do a couple things, win, and then throw a party. ”

For the women, Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, Vt.) leads the way as defending champion. Jacobellis has never lost in a World Championship snowboardcross event. Joining Jacobellis are U.S. Ski & Snowboard teammates Meghan Tierney (Edwards, Colo.), and Stacy Gaskill (Golden, Colo.). In addition, Americans Anna Miller (Orem, Utah) and Livia Molodyh (Hubbard, Ore.) will also compete.

“I really like the course,” said Tierney. “It’s big and fast and I’m really excited to get things going. Also, I think it’s amazing to have the event here in Utah. Not only because my family and friends can come out and watch, but for all the young American girls coming up watching the sport.”

Miller also shared her thoughts on the course at Solitude Mountain Resort.

“I was not here two years ago for the World Cup, so this is a new type of course for me,” she said. “I think the biggest thing about boardercross is you have to be adaptable no matter what the course is going to be because it’s out of your control. You have to ride fast and do your best no matter what.”

On Saturday, skicross competition will commence with the seeding round of competition. The U.S. skicross team consists of one man and three women. Tyler Wallasch (Los Angeles, Calif.) will represent the men.

“It’s pretty special to represent your country at this level,” said Wallasch. “This will be my third World Champs, but this one is a little extra special being on home soil! I haven’t raced an elite level race in the US  since the World Cup in 2012, so I’ve always looked forward to coming home! The track here is fast and looks promising for some close racing and some serious battles on Saturday. I’m looking forward to every second of it!”

For the women, Tania Prymak (Goshen, N.Y.), Leta McNatt (Ridgeway, Colo.) and Solitude Mountain Resort athlete Whitney Gardner (Zephyr Cove, Nev.) are set to compete.

START LIST
Men’s snowboardcross
Women’s snowboardcross

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
*Same-day broadcast
**Next-day broadcast

SNOWBOARDING
Friday, Feb. 1
1:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s snowboardcross - Solitude, Utah - NBCSN & NBC Sports Gold

FREESKI
Saturday, Feb. 2
3:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s skicross - Solitude, Utah - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has named 13 athletes to the U.S. Alpine Team that will compete in the 2019 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. 2017 World Championship gold and silver medalist Mikaela Shiffrin (Avon, Colo.) and bronze medalist Lindsey Vonn (Vail, Colo.) will headline the Team of six women and seven men, competing Feb. 4-17 in Åre, Sweden.

Continuing with his “winning at every level” mantra, Alpine Director Jesse Hunt is looking forward to seeing what this team can do on the world stage in Åre. “This team has the depth, experience and heart to bring home medals,” Hunt said. “Many of these athletes have had prior success at this venue in Åre, and with their progression and consistency throughout this season, medals are within reach. The staff has been working hard this season, and the teamwork is palpable - we are eager to support our veterans and up-and-coming athletes on the world stage.”

With 11 victories across four disciplines this season, Shiffrin is a force to be reckoned with and a multiple medal threat - currently leading the overall, slalom, giant slalom and super-G standings in the FIS Ski World Cup. Shiffrin is also a three-time reigning world champion in slalom, becoming the first woman since Germany's Christl Cranz back in 1939 to win three slalom World Championship golds in a row. All-time women’s World Cup winner Vonn - who just recently returned to competition from a knee injury - has seven career World Championship medals to her name, including a bronze medal in the St. Moritz downhill in 2017, making her the oldest woman (then 32-years-old) to earn a world championships medal. Laurenne Ross (Bend, Ore.), who finished with a career-best World Championships result in fifth in the St. Moritz downhill in 2017, and has posted three top 15 finishes in the last five races, rounds out the roster of seasoned vets. 

Rising stars, including 2017 World Juniors downhill champion Alice Merryweather (Hingham, Mass.) and Nina O’Brien (San Francisco, Calif.) will make their World Championships debut. 2015 World Juniors slalom champion Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, Minn.), who currently skis for the University of Vermont and has had incredible success on the World Cup this season, also joins the 2019 squad.

On the men’s speed side, 2015 World Championships medalist Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, Calif.), Steven Nyman (Sundance, Utah) and Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, Calif.) - who is currently ranked seventh in the World Cup downhill standings - will headline a strong crew of speed skiers, while Olympic champion Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah), and Tommy Ford (Bend, Ore.) lead the way on the giant slalom side. Brian McLaughlin (Topsfield, Mass.) will make his World Championships maiden voyage.

After missing out on the 2017 World Championships due to injuries, Nyman and Ligety return with their strong leadership and presence. Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, Vt.), who has been skiing strong across multiple disciplines this season, also will be one to watch, having objectively qualified in downhill, super-G and giant slalom.

The last time World Championships were held in Åre was 2007, when the U.S. Ski Team won three medals, with Vonn grabbing silver in both downhill and super-G, while U.S. Ski Team alumni Julia Mancuso brought home silver in the combined. In last year’s World Cup Finals in Åre, Shiffrin won the slalom, while Vonn was third in super-G and first in downhill. It’s a special venue for Shiffrin, whose first-ever World Cup victory was in Åre in 2012, and she has won the slalom there four times.

Fans can follow all of the action in Åre, Sweden on NBC, NBCSN and the Olympic Channel, with live streaming on NBC Sports Gold.

2019 FIS SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM
(Name, hometown, ski club, birthdate, past World Champs Teams)

WOMEN
Alice Merryweather* (Hingham, Mass.; Attitash Race Team/Stratton Mountain School; 10/5/1996)
Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, Minn.; Buck Hill Ski Team/Ski and Snowboard Club Vail/University of Vermont; 4/7/1994; 2015)
Nina O’Brien* (San Francisco, Calif.; Burke Mountain Academy/Squaw Valley Ski Team; 11/29/1997)
Laurenne Ross (Bend, Ore.; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; 8/17/1988; 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.; Burke Mountain Academy/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/13/1995; 2013, 2015, 2017)
Lindsey Vonn (Vail, Colo.; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/Buck Hill Ski Team; 10/18/1984; 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)

MEN
Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, Calif.; Squaw Valley Ski Team; 7/14/1992; 2017)
Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, Vt.; Cochran’s/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club; 3/27/1992; 2013, 2017)
Tommy Ford (Bend, Ore.; Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation; 3/20/1989; 2011, 2015, 2017)
Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, Calif.; Squaw Valley Ski Team; 7/14/1988; 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah; Park City Ski and Snowboard; 8/31/1984; 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)
Brian McLaughlin* (Topsfield, Mass.; Dartmouth College/Green Mountain Valley School; 6/24/1993)
Steven Nyman (Sundance, Utah; Park City Ski and Snowboard/Sundance Ski team; 2/12/1982; 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015)

*Denotes first World Championships team

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
Preliminary schedule, subject to change
*Same-day delayed broadcast

Tuesday, Feb. 5
6:30 a.m. - Women’s super-G - NBCSN

Wednesday, Feb. 6
6:30 a.m. - Men’s super-G - NBCSN

Friday, Feb. 8
5:00 a.m. - Women’s super combined downhill - NBCSN
10:00 a.m. - Women’s super combined slalom - NBCSN

Saturday, Feb. 9
6:30 a.m. - Men’s downhill - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com
3:30 p.m. - Men’s downhill - NBC*
6:30 p.m. - Men’s downhill - NBCSN*

Sunday, Feb. 10
6:30 a.m. - Women’s downhill - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com
4:30 p.m. - Women’s downhill - NBC*
11:30 p.m. - Women’s downhill - NBCSN*

Monday, Feb. 11
5:00 a.m. - Men’s super combined downhill - NBCSN
8:30 a.m. - Men’s super combined slalom - NBCSN

Tuesday, Feb. 12
10:00 a.m. - Team event - NBCSN

Thursday, Feb. 14
8:00 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom run 1 - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com
10:30 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom run 1 - NBCSN*
11:30 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom - NBCSN*

Friday, Feb. 15
8:00 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom run 1 - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com
10:30 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom run 1 - NBCSN*
11:30 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom - NBCSN*

Saturday, Feb. 16
5:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom run 1 - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com
7:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom run 1 - NBCSN*
8:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom run 2 - NBCSN
1:00 p.m. - Women’s slalom - NBC*

Sunday, Feb. 17
5:00 a.m. - Men’s slalom run 1 - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com
7:00 a.m. - Men’s slalom run 1 - NBCSN*
8:00 a.m. - Men’s slalom run 2 - NBCSN

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announces U.S. Teams for the 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, presented by Toyota, taking place in Utah from February 1 - 10, 2019.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Director – Snowboard, Freeski, Freestyle Jeremy Forster said, “We are fielding a strong team that will be on display at the 2019 World Championships. It’s a great group of athletes, including five defending World Champions who are all excited to be competing for World Championship titles on home soil. Having the events in our backyard, at Park City Mountain, Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort, is a great opportunity and we are all looking forward to seeing them face off against the best the world has to offer, right here in Utah.”

Quotes from Reigning World Champions

McRae Williams - “I could not be more stoked to have the opportunity to defend my title in my home town of Park City, Utah. Not only will I have the home field advantage, but I’ll have all my friends and family there cheering me on. That’s a win in itself. Gonna be a special week.”

Aaron Blunck -  “I am super stoked to be a part of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard World Championships team and even more stoked to try and defend my title. Sierra Nevada, Spain went really well and I’m hoping this time around is no different. It is on home turf and in a halfpipe I really like so it should be a fun event! “

Lindsey Jacobellis - “Really excited to be attending my sixth World Championships, and even more excited to be in the USA. I look forward to the venue that Solitude Mountain has put together as well as the mix gender team race.”

Jonathon Lillis - "It has been one of the great honors of my life representing the sport that I love so much as the World Champion for the past two seasons. I can think of nothing better than being able to come back to Deer Valley and defend my title in the town that has opened its arms and been home to me for the past seven years. I know with the support of my teammates and my brother Chris at my side we have the ability to do anything. We are ready to come in and handle our business. I continue to be ever-grateful for each person who has supported me in this journey, all the way down to the volunteers who work so hard to keep us safe. Being able to compete at home gives us the perfect opportunity to make them proud! Team Lillis will be in full effect, so watch out!"

Ashley Caldwell - “Deer Valley is always at the top of the list when it comes to an aerialist’s favorite place to compete. Having this year’s event upgraded to World Championships makes the event even more prestigious and exciting. While defending  my title as World Champion comes with pressure and anxiety it also gives me an opportunity to show all of the hard work, resilience and passion of myself, my team and my coaches to our friends, family, and sponsors that come to cheer us on!”

2019 U.S. FIS World Championships Teams

SNOWBOARD
Halfpipe
Men
Toby Miller - Mammoth Lakes, Calif., (2/14/00)
Jake Pates - Eagle, Colo., (7/30/98)
Chase Josey - Hailey, Idaho, (3/31/95)
Chase Blackwell - Longmont, Colo., (2/27/99)

Women
Chloe Kim - Torrance, Calif., (4/23/00)
Maddie Mastro - Wrightwood, Calif., (2/22/00)
Arielle Gold - Steamboat Springs, Colo., (5/4/96)
Tessa Maud - Carlsbad, Calif., (10/10/03)

Slopestyle/Big Air
Men
Chris Corning - Silverthorne, Colo., (9/7/99)
Red Gerard - Silverthorne, Colo., (6/29/00)
Lyon Farrell - Haiku, Hawaii, (11/22/98)
Judd Henkes - La Jolla, Calif., (4/3/01)

Women
Julia Marino - Westport, Conn., (9/11/97)
Jamie Anderson - S. Lake Tahoe, Calif., (9/13/90)
Hailey Langland - San Clemente, Calif., (8/2/00)
Jade Thurgood - Salt Lake City, Utah, (1/27/02)

Snowboardcross
Men
Jake Vedder - Pinckney, Mich., (4/16/98)
Nate Holland - Sandpoint, Idaho, (11/8/78)
Mick Dierdorff - Steamboat Springs Colo., (4/30/91)
Nick Baumgartner - Iron River, Mich., (12/17/81)

Women
Lindsey Jacobellis - Stratton Mountain, Vt., (8/19/85)
Meghan Tierney - Edwards, Colo., (1/15/97)
Anna Miller - Orem, Utah, (7/16/1996)
Stacy Gaskill - Golden, Colo., (5/21/00)
Livia Molodyh - Hubbard, Ore., (6/30/1999)

Parallel Slalom & Parallel Giant Slalom
Men
AJ Muss - Rumson, N.J., (12/15/94)
Robert Burns - Mount Shasta, Calif., (11/11/90)
Cody Winters - Steamboat Springs, Colo. (4/20/00)
Ryan Rosencranz - Weston, Mass., (4/23/94)

Women
Abby Champagne - Park City, Utah, (1/2/96)
Kaiya Kizuka - Sinking Spring, Penn., (5/26/99)
Lynn Ott - Boston, Mass., (10/20/67)
Alexa Bullis - Slinger Wisc., (3/1/00)

FREESTYLE
Moguls
Men
Bradley Wilson - Butte, Mont., (6/5/92)
Casey Andringa - Boulder, Colo., (10/6/95)
Hunter Bailey - Vail, Colo., (3/24/96)
Dylan Walczyk - Rochester, N.Y., (6/25/93)

Women
Jaelin Kauf - Alta, Wyo., (9/26/96)
Tess Johnson - Vail, Colo., (6/19/00)
Olivia Giaccio - Redding, Conn., (8/15/00)
Nessa Dziemian - East Hampstead, N.H., (4/14/94)

Aerials
Men
Jonathon Lillis - Pittsford, N.Y., (8/20/94)
Chris Lillis - Pittsford, N.Y., (10/4/98)
Alex Bowen - Springville, N.Y., (5/21/92)
Eric Loughran - Pelham, N.H., (12/4/95)
Nicholas Novak - Stafford, Va., (3/15/96)

Women
Ashley Caldwell - Ashburn, Va., (9/14/93)
Madison Varmette - Stafford, Va., (5/8/96)
Winter Vinecki - Salem, Ore., (12/18/98)
Morgan Northrop - Haymarket, Va., (4/16/94)
Kaila Kuhn - Boyne City, Mich., (4/8/03)

FREESKI
Halfpipe
Men
Aaron Blunck - Crested Butte, Colo., (4/12/96)
David Wise - Reno, Nev., (6/30/90)
Alex Ferreira - Aspen, Colo., (8/14/94)
Birk Irving - Winter Park, Colo., (7/26/99)
Taylor Seaton - Avon, Colo., (7/16/90)

Women
Brita Sigourney - Carmel, Calif., (1/17/90)
Maddie Bowman - S. Lake Tahoe, Calif., (1/10/94)
Abigale Hansen - June Lake, Calif., (5/26/98)
Annalisa Drew - Andover, Mass., (5/28/93)

Slopestyle/Big Air
Men
McRae Williams - Park City, Utah, (10/13/90)
Alex Hall - Salt Lake City, Utah, (9/21/98)
Nick Goepper - Lawrenceburg, Ind., (3/14/94)
Mac Forehand - Winhall, Vt., (8/4/01)
Willie Borm - Chaska, Minn., (5/21/97)

Women
Maggie Voisin - Whitefish, Mont., (12/14/98)
Caroline Claire - Manchester Center, Vt., (2/2/00)
Julia Krass - Hanover, N.H., (6/7/97)
Marin Hamill (Park City, Utah, (4/5/01)

Skicross
Men
Tyler Wallasch - Los Angeles, Calif., (6/8/94)

Women
Tania Prymak - Goshen, N.Y., (10/12/92)
Leta McNatt - Ridgeway, Colo., (12/13/94)
Whitney Gardner - Zephyr Cove, Nev., (6/24/94)

PRESS CONFERENCES
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
1:15 p.m. Snowboardcross Press Conference, Solitude Press Room

Featuring the top U.S. and select international SBX athletes plus resort leadership. Media access to snowboard cross and ski cross training before and after the press conference.

Saturday, February 2, 2019

5:00 p.m. Opening Press Conference, Canyons Village Press Room

Featuring the top U.S. and select international halfpipe and slopestyle athletes, along with FIS, organizing committee and resort leadership plus Utah Governor Gary Herbert.

Monday, February 4, 2019

4:00 p.m. Moguls/aerials Press Conference, Bald Eagle Room, Snow Park Lodge, Deer Valley

Featuring the top U.S. and select international moguls and aerials athletes, along with resort leadership.

Post Event Press Conferences

Official press conferences with the top three finishers will be held following all daytime events at Solitude Mountain Resort and Park City Mountain in the respective press centers. Press conferences will not be held following night time events at Canyons Village or Deer Valley Resort, although top three finishers will be available in the finish area following awards.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tom Webb
Director of Marketing and Communications, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
+1.435.602.9644
tom.webb@usskiandsnowboard.org

FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Tom Kelly
Chief of Press
+1.435.602.9799
2019WorldChampsMedia@usskiandsnowboard.org

The networks of NBC will broadcast more than 40 hours of coverage of the 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, Presented by Toyota, and the FIS Ski World Cup this week.

Mikaela Shiffrin returns to action in Maribor, Slovenia - where she took slalom victories in 2015 and 2017 - for both giant slalom and slalom events Friday and Saturday. Both events will be streamed live on the OlympicChannel.com and NBC Sports Gold, with the second run each day broadcast live on the Olympic Channel - Home of Team USA - at 7:00 a.m. (EST) for Friday’s slalom and 7:30 a.m. for Saturday’s giant slalom. 

The men’s World Cup Tour heads to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, German, for downhill Saturday and giant slalom Sunday. Both days will be broadcast live on the Olympic Channel, and streamed on OlympicChannel.com and NBC Sports Gold, beginning at 5:30 a.m. Friday for the downhill, and 4:30 a.m. Sunday for first run of GS, and 7:30 a.m. for the second run.

The 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, presented by Toyota, kick off Friday with snowboardcross action from Solitude, Utah. NBCSN will broadcast the event live at 1:00 p.m. EST, in addition, NBC Sports Gold will stream the event live.

The World Championships continue Saturday with skicross action from Solitude. The Olympic Channel will broadcast the event live at 3:00 p.m. EST, in addition, NBC Sports Gold will stream the event live. The freeski big air event also takes place Saturday from Park City Resort with the Olympic Channel broadcasting live at 9:00 p.m., and streamed on OlympicChannel.com and NBC Sports Gold.

Team snowboardcross takes place Sunday at Solitude and will be broadcast live on the Olympic Channel at 1:00 p.m., and streamed live on Olympic Channel.com and NBC Sports Gold. The NBC Sports Network will air a rebroadcast of the event at 5:00 p.m.

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
*Same-day broadcast
**Next-day broadcast

ALPINE
Friday, Feb. 1
4:00 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom run 1 - Maribor, SLO - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
7:00 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom run 2 - Maribor, SLO - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
12:00 p.m. - Women’s giant slalom - Maribor, SLO - NBCSN*

Saturday, Feb. 2
4:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom run 1 - Maribor, SLO - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
5:30 a.m. - Men’s downhill, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
7:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom run 2 - Maribor, SLO - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold

Sunday, Feb. 3
2:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom - Maribor, SLO - NBCSN**
4:30 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom run 1 - Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
7:30 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom run 2 - Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold

FREESKI
Saturday, Feb. 2
3:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s skicross - Solitude, Utah - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
9:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s big air - Park City, Utah - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold

Sunday, Feb. 3
1:00 a.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s skicross - Solitude, Utah - NBCSN**
3:30 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s big air - Park City, Utah -  NBCSN**

NORDIC COMBINED
Saturday, Feb. 2
6:55 a.m. - Men’s HS140 - Klingenthal, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
9:00 a.m. - Men’s 10k - Klingenthal, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold

Sunday, Feb. 3
6:15 a.m. - Men’s HS140 - Klingenthal, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
9:00 a.m. - Men’s 10k - Klingenthal, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold

SKI JUMPING
Friday, Feb. 1
10:00 a.m. - Men’s HS235 - Oberstdorf, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
6:30 p.m. - Men’s HS235 - Oberstdorf, GER - Olympic Channel-TV*

Saturday, Feb. 2
8:15 a.m. - Women’s HS97 - Hizenbach, AUS - NBC Sports Gold
10:00 a.m. - Men’s HS235 - Oberstdorf, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
7:00 p.m. - Men’s HS235 - Oberstdorf, GER - Olympic Channel-TV*

Sunday, Feb. 3
8:15 a.m. - Women’s HS97 - Hizenbach, AUS - NBC Sports Gold
10:00 a.m. - Men’s HS235 - Oberstdorf, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
4:00 p.m. - Men’s HS235 - Oberstdorf, GER - Olympic Channel-TV*
9:00 p.m. - Men’s HS235 - Oberstdorf, GER - NBCSN*

SNOWBOARDING
Friday, Feb. 1
1:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s snowboardcross - Solitude, Utah - NBCSN & NBC Sports Gold

Sunday, Feb. 3
1:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s team snowboardcross - Solitude, Utah - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
5:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s team snowboardcross - Solitude, Utah - NBCSN*

All streams are available via desktop (NBCSports.com/Live, NBCSports.com/Gold andOlympicChannel.com) as well as mobile, tablet and connected television platforms. The NBC Sports app, NBC Sports Gold app and Olympic Channel app are available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire. Exclusive commercial-free coverage will be available for subscribers of the NBC Sports Gold Pass.

This week, while Park City’s streets bustle with movie buffs, film industry insiders and celebrity watchers in town for the Sundance Film Festival, nearby on the snow at Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain and Solitude Mountain Resort, the energy and excitement is just as palpable, but in a decidedly different way.

In just three short days, the eyes of the international winter sports community will focus on Utah for 10 action-packed days during the 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, presented by Toyota. The finishing touches have been made at the venues and, with the conclusion of last week’s X Games and World Cup events, the athletes are now arriving in Utah enforce. “We have an average of 200 athletes, teams and event personnel arriving almost every day now,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Event Manager Lindsay Arnold.

Among the first to arrive this week have been snowboardcross and skicross athletes, anxious to get on the snow at Solitude Mountain Resort where the 2019 World Champs competition will kick off with the snowboardcross finals on Friday, Feb. 1. “The feedback we’ve received so far from the athletes training at Solitude has been very positive,” says Eric “Web” Webster, U.S. Ski & Snowboard director of events. “The World Cup test event that Solitude hosted in 2017 received rave reviews from coaches and athletes and was voted Best Course on the World Cup tour in its debut event. The plan is to replicate the build from 2017 so teams are anticipating a great venue.”

 Italian National Snowboardcross Team Member Michela Moioli—one of the best snowboardcross racers in the world—competed in the FIS World Cup Snowboardcross test event at Solitude Mountain Resort in 2017 and is back in Utah for the 2019 World Champs. “I'm super excited to return to Solitude, this time for the World Championships,” Moioli said. “I took second place there two years ago and I can’t wait to see what will happen there this time.”

Having hosted more than 20 World Cup events—including two previous World Championships in 2003 and 2011—Deer Valley Resort is considered hallowed ground to many of the skiers who’ve competed there over the years, including defending World Champion Aerialist Jonathon Lillis (Rochester, NY). “I can think of nothing better than being able to return to Deer Valley and defend my title in the town that has opened its arms and been home to me for the past seven years,” Lillis says.

Anticipation for the 2019 World Champs is inspiring those off the snow as well. Glass artist from Park City’s Red Flower Studios, Daniel Bell, designed and painstakingly handmade 192 trophies to be awarded to the top three finishers of each 2019 World Champs event. The elegant, wing-like shape of the trophies, Bell explained, represents the culmination of the athletes’ hard work. “There’s a reason we throw our arms in the air after we win: it's the universal expression of strength and mastery,” Bell said. “It’s embedded deep within our psychology: a natural reaction that occurs within milliseconds signifying all the dedication we put into getting here, the top of our metaphorical mountain. No matter how drained or depleted we are from putting everything into our sport, we’ll always have enough left over for that small, but mighty signal of victory.”

Another artistic celebration around the 2019 World Champs is an exclusive exhibition of original works of art by current and alumni U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes, titled “Art of Athlete.” This exhibition will be on display at High West’s USA House at Nelson Cottage in Park City (651 Park Ave) Feb. 8 - 10, 2019 and is open to the public. All pieces on display will be for sale and all proceeds directly benefit the artists.

About the 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle & Freeski World Championships
More than 1,400 athletes from 40 nations are competing in 25 World Championship medal events from February 1-10. Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon is hosting snowboardcross and skicross. Park City Mountain in Park City is the site of parallel events, halfpipe, slopestyle and big air. Deer Valley Resort is the site for moguls and aerials. Click here for spectator information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tom Webb
Director of Marketing and Communications, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
+1.435.602.9644
tom.webb@usskiandsnowboard.org

FOR ACCREDITED MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Tom Kelly
Chief of Press
+1.435.602.9799
2019WorldChampsMedia@usskiandsnowboard.org

Alex Hall (Park City, Utah), wearing his lucky sweater, kicked off the final day of X Games in Aspen, Colo. by earning his first X Games gold medal in the men’s freeski slopestyle. Hall placed fifth in the big air competition the previous night, but still had plenty left in the tank to get the job done.

“I was super tired from skiing all week, so it feels good to be able to put down some runs,” said Hall, who displayed incredible stamina by increasing the difficulty of his run as the competition roll on. “It was really good conditions today, a little flat light, but the course was running really well.”

Already in the lead, Hall bettered his score on his last run with a technical rail section into a left-side 1260, switch right side double cork 1260 for a 95.66. Hall’s unique style, innovative approach, and magnetic landings stood out to both the crowd and the judges. He incorporated rail taps and difficult grabs such as the seatbelt and far tail to separate himself from the pack.

“I just try and keep it creative, especially on the rails,” he said. “I spend time really thinking about my rail tricks. Hopefully, I can try something that the judges will think is unique and I enjoy doing. As long as it’s fun to do, after all, that’s the reason we all do this in the first place. Today I used rail taps, not necessarily the most technical tricks, but it keeps it fun for me. “

Hall also is looking forward to the 2019 FIS World Championships in Park City, Utah, where he will represent U.S. Ski & Snowboard in international slopestyle and big air competition.

Catching his breath Hall commented, “I’m going to try and chill a little bit before world champs, but I’m excited and it should be fun.”

Canada’s Alex Beaulieu-Marchand finished second, earning his second medal of the event. Ferdinand Dahl of Norway closed out the podium in third. For the Americans, Willie Borm (Chaska, Minn.) finished in seventh in his first X Games final. Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) finished in eighth.

X Games Aspen 2019 came to close with the men’s snowboard superpipe under the lights. Chase Josey (Sun Valley, Idaho) finished fourth, putting together a complete run, but was unable to break into the top three. Jake Pates (Eagle, Colo.) finished fifth and Toby Miller (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) finished eighth. Although Pates didn’t get the result he was looking for, he still enjoyed the X Games experience.

“I had so much fun tonight,” said Pates. “Everybody was shredding at an insane level. I’m so grateful to be a part of X Games and be able to travel and snowboard with my best friends.”

Australia's Scotty James earned this second-consecutive superpipe gold, Japan’s Yuto Totsuka the silver, and American Danny Davis grabbed the bronze.

It was a successful week for U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes at the 2019 X games in Aspen earning three gold, two silver, and two bronze medals. Competition continues for U.S. Freeski & Snowboard athletes at the 2019 FIS World Championships in Park City, Utah Feb.1-10 featuring slopestyle, big air, and halfpipe competitions. Tune in to NBC to catch all the action.

WATCH
Alex Hall’s gold medal run

RESULTS
Men’s freeski slopestyle
Men’s snowboard superpipe

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
Preliminary broadcast schedule, subject to change
Streaming schedule TBA
*Same-day broadcast
**Next-day broadcast

FREESKI
Saturday, Feb. 23:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s skicross - Solitude, Utah - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
9:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s big air - Park City, Utah - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold

Sunday, Feb. 3
1:00 a.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s skicross - Solitude, Utah - NBCSN**
3:30 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s big air - Park City, Utah -  NBCSN**

SNOWBOARDING
Friday, Feb. 1
1:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s snowboardcross - Solitude, Utah - NBCSN & NBC Sports Gold

Sunday, Feb. 3
1:00 p.m. - FIS World Championships men and women’s team snowboardcross - Solitude, Utah - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
 

Hailey Langland (San Clemente, Calif.) started off the day for U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes at X Games in Aspen, Colo in the women’s snowboard slopestyle competition in great fashion with smart riding that put her on the podium with a second-place finish.

“I keep forgetting that I’m still coming back from an injury,” Langland said. “Today, the only thing wanted to do is have fun and gets some old tricks back on a course that I really liked. I ended up having the best practice I have had in a long time and went on to land both of my first two runs. I was so overjoyed. I realized we are at X Games and we can’t really leave anything behind. With all the girls throwing down, I decided to step up my run and it paid off miraculously. I accomplished way more than I thought I would accomplish, so I am extremely happy.”

An ecstatic Langland shared her thoughts looking forward to the 2019 FIS World Championships coming Feb. 1-10.

“I have never competed at a World Championships before and I’m pretty excited to see how the whole thing works and experience the event,” she said.

This was Langlands fourth X Games medal. After getting called up as an alternate, New Zealand’s Zoe Sadowski Synnott won the gold medal and Finnish rider Enni Rukajarvi claimed the bronze.

The men of the U.S. Snowboard Team took to the slopestyle course following the ladies competition and put on a show with a spectacular finish. Red Gerard (Silverthorne, Colo.) was in podium contention for a good portion of the competition utilizing the quarterpipe style take offs, while the rest of the field remained more traditional. Last-minute efforts from the likes of Finnish rider Rene Rinnekangas, and one of the most successful slopestyle snowboarders of all time in Canada’s Mark McMorris, knocked Gerard to fourth place.

“The final today was at an insane level,” said Gerard. “I was hyped to land a solid run and I’m always stoked to be here at X Games. Congrats to Mark and the boys for a great performance.”

U.S. Snowboard Pro Team member Judd Henkes (La Jolla, Calif.) landed a great first run with and 85.33. Henkes would finish seventh, but proved that he is a contender at elite events such as X Games. McMorris finished in the top spot with the gold, Rinnekangas the silver, and Norway’s Mons Roisland earned the bronze.

Competition continued on day three of X Games under the lights for one of the most impressive and flawless freeski big air competitions in the history of X Games. There were very few crashes and incredible progression. U.S. Freeski Pro Team member Alex Hall (Park City, Utah) landed himself in fourth, which was quite the feat considering the star studded field. Hall showed his ability to go big with a fearless approach landing his tracks effortlessly. Finishing just outside podium contention, look for Hall to come back hungry in 2020. Norway’s Birk Ruud earned the gold, Canada’s Alex Beaulieu-Marchand the silver, and Great Britain’s James Wood earned bronze.

Finally, the night would come to a close with the ladies snowboard superpipe final. The competition began with a heartfelt tribute to the most decorated snowboarder in history, male or female in Kelly Clark (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.). Emotions ran high as Clark’s video tribute played on the big screen and she dropped in for her final run in the X Games halfpipe.

“I’m just so thankful. It’s been such an incredible journey,” Clark said. “I mean who gets to do this, have a twenty-year competitive snowboard career. Thanks to all the ladies of who pushed me to be a better snowboarder each and every day. Thanks to my friends and family who stood by me while I sacrificed everything for a single dream. To Burton snowboards for the last twenty years. Jake and Donna, you have been more like a family then a company. To the U.S. Snowboard Team, they just believed in me on the days I didn’t believe in myself. Thanks to ESPN, for putting on events like X Games and showcasing women’s snowboarding in such a wonderful way. Thank you to all the fans because without you, there are none of us.”

Chloe Kim (Torrance, Calif.) earned her fifth X Games superpipe gold medal and seventh medal in seven appearances. Spain's Queralt Castellet walked away with the silver medal and Cait Xuetong of China with the bronze. There was some speculation prior to the competition that Kim would attempt her double cork 1080 for the first time in competition, but with not many completed runs by the rest of the field, Kim stuck to her stock run which as brought her so much success.

“I am super happy to win my fifth X gold,” said Kim. “I’m looking forward to World Championships and the rest of the contest season. I have some new tricks I’m ready to try when the conditions are right.”

The final day of X Games competition will feature men’s freeski slopestyle finals and men’s snowboard superpipe finals under the lights. Tune in to catch all the action.

Chloe Kim gold medal run
Kelly Clark’s final X Games Run

RESULTS
Women’s snowboard slopestyle
Men’s snowboard slopestyle
Women’s snowboard superpipe

HOW TO WATCH

FREESKI
Sunday, Jan. 27
2:00 p.m. - Men’s slopestyle - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN2

SNOWBOARD
Sunday, Jan. 27
8:30 p.m. - Men’s superpipe - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN
 

Winter Vinecki (Gaylord, Mich.) and Chris Lillis (Pittsford, N.Y.) were both crowned U.S. National Champions as the top U.S. finishers as the nation’s best aerial skiers came together on a snowy Saturday to compete at U.S. National Championships, held at the Olympic Jumping Complex (OTC) in Lake Placid, New York.

Sixty-one athletes from seven nations competed, and the top U.S. results determined National Championship standings. On the line not only was the title of U.S. National Champion, but 2019 World Championships starts. Usually held later in the competition season, this year’s event was pushed up to allow it to be included in World Championship team nomination criteria.

“We are really happy with Winter and Chris’ return to sport after injuries last season. It’s so great to see them both have such a great comeback season. A U.S. National title is such an honor, so big congrats to both of them,” said World Cup Aerials Coach Emily Cook. Madison Varmette (Stafford, Va.) and Kaila Kuhn (Park City Ski & Snowboard) rounded out the women’s U.S. podium in second and third. Jon Lillis (Pittsford, N.Y.) and Nick Novak (Prince William, Va.) came in second and third on the men’s side.

“It feels amazing to land some nice jumps when it counts!” said Vinecki. “Becoming the U.S. National Champion is a huge confidence boost for the rest of the season to come! It is even more rewarding though because this event is almost exactly one year since my ACL surgery. Being able to come back strong with a start to my best season yet makes all the hard work worth it!”

The U.S. Aerials Ski Team has been training and competing in Lake Placid for the past two weeks in preparation for World Championships. “We love jumping in Lake Placid, it’s always a great venue and the perfect place for the athletes to prepare for a big event. Having everything in one place at the Olympic Training Center from the gym and sports medicine to meals and recovery is really great for the athletes,” explains Cook.

The team is on track for their two hometown World Championships events - aerials and team aerials will be held under the lights at Utah’s Deer Valley Resort Feb. 6-7. “We now have another competition our belt and are happy that everyone competed with high degree of difficulty. We know we have a few things to clean up and we have time to do that going into Worlds, but we’re really psyched on our team right now,” said Cook.

The men jumped well at Nationals, all competing quad twisting triples, and the team in general is looking to peak at the upcoming Utah events. “We were also really impressed by the quality of jumps that our development pipeline is showing and are excited for the future of aerials in this country,” said Cook.

The aerials team heads back to home snow for the 2019 FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships, presented by Toyota, taking place at Deer Valley Resort, Utah, Feb. 1-10. Teams will be announced January 29.

Alice Merryweather (Hingham, Mass.) posted her first career top-10 downhill result in Sunday’s FIS Ski World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, finishing eighth on a bumpy, challenging Kandahar track.

“I am super excited with eighth place today,” said Merryweather, whose previous career best was 19th in downhill at the World Cup Finals in Aspen, Colorado in 2017. “First top 10...and it feels really, really good.”

However, she had a wait a long time to achieve her career best as six races starting in front of her failed to finish, causing numerous course hold.

“It took a long time to get to me today, and despite all the course holds, I kept a really calm head and I kept it together and I think that I skied the way that I know I can,” Merryweather said. “I’ve been skiing super well in training and just working on my mental state on race day because I think that is what has been holding me back. The whole weekend I’ve been super, super relaxed and laid back, and for me, that’s the key, relaxing and putting together a race run, trusting my skiing, and I fully did that today.”

Austria’s Stephanie Venier won her first career downhill, as Italy’s Sofia Goggia continued her impressive return to the World Cup circuit after suffering an early-season leg injury, finishing second for the second straight day at Garmisch. Germany’s Kira Weidle was third. Laurenne Ross (Bend, Ore.) was 14th.

Up next, the women compete in giant slalom and slalom event in Maribor, Slovenia, Friday and Saturday, prior to the 2019 FIS World Ski Championships in Are, Sweden, Feb. 4-17.

RESULTS
Women’s downhill

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
*Same-day broadcast
**Next-day broadcast

Sunday, Jan. 27
9:00 p.m. - Women’s downhill - Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER - NBCSN*

Monday, Jan. 28
4:00 p.m. - Men’s downhill and super-G - Kitzbuehel, AUT - NBCSN**

Tuesday, Jan. 29
11:00 p.m. - Men’s slalom - Kitzbuehel, AUT - NBCSN**

Friday, Feb. 1
4:00 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom run 1 - Maribor, SLO - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
7:00 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom run 2 - Maribor, SLO - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
12:00 p.m. - Women’s giant slalom - Maribor, SLO - NBCSN*

Saturday, Feb. 2
4:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom run 1 - Maribor, SLO - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
5:30 a.m. - Men’s downhill, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
7:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom run 2 - Maribor, SLO - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold

Sunday, Feb. 3
2:00 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom - Maribor, SLO - NBCSN**
4:30 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom run 1-  Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER - OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold
7:30 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom run 2 - Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER - Olympic Channel-TV, OlympicChannel.com & NBC Sports Gold

All streams are available via desktop (NBCSports.com/Live, NBCSports.com/Gold andOlympicChannel.com) as well as mobile, tablet and connected television platforms. The NBC Sports app, NBC Sports Gold app and Olympic Channel app are available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire. Exclusive commercial-free coverage will be available for subscribers of the NBC Sports Gold Pass.