Stifel U.S. Freeski Team athlete and 2023 world champion Troy Podmilsak made an impression at the first World Cup of the season. The Big Air Chur World Cup event in Switzerland kicked off qualifiers a day earlier than scheduled due to heavy winds and rain in the forecast, and Podmilsak capitalized on the opportunity and went out big. Executing a triple 18 mute placed him in second in his heat and guaranteed a spot in the finals. Unfortunately, the extreme weather conditions led to the cancellation of finals, with the results from Thursday, Oct. 19, qualifications standing as the final results.

Podmilsak finished in fourth place overall, trailing behind Dylan Deschamps of Canada in first, Daniel Basher of Austria in second and Birk Ruud of Norway in third.

"I'm happy to have shown up and landed the trick I wanted to do yesterday. I was looking forward to stepping it up today for finals but you can’t beat the weather," said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team athlete Troy Podmilsak. "Big thanks to the organizers for making the jump awesome in the difficult conditions. Looking forward to coming back next season!"

Podmilsak, often referred to as TPod, is no stranger to pushing the boundaries in freeskiing. Despite being only 19 years old, he clinched a gold at his first World Championships in big air and took home third place at this event last season. 

Notably, Podmilsak was the only U.S. skier to compete in the Big Air Chur event. Next up, the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team will travel to Stubai, Austria for the next contest of the 2023-24 season. 

RESULTS

Men’s Big Air

PARK CITY, Utah (Oct. 12, 2023) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard is thrilled to announce the roster of 39 athletes who have accepted their nomination to the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team in both halfpipe and slopestyle/big air for the upcoming 2023-24 season. These nominations have been based on predetermined selection criteria. 

The freeski roster features a dynamic mix of veterans who've proudly represented the United States on the global stage and promising newcomers. Notable halfpipe athletes include two-time Olympic champion David Wise, 2022 Crystal Globe winner Birk Irving and 2023 World Champion Hanna Faulhaber. The slopestyle team boasts talents like 2022 Olympic champion Alex Hall, 2022 Olympic silver medalist Colby Stevenson, 2023 X Games gold medalist Mac Forehand, three-time Olympian Maggie Voisin, and 2022-23 U.S. national champion Grace Henderson. Halfpipe athletes Svea Irving and Tristan Feinberg have been promoted to the pro team, with Irving securing an X Games bronze medal and national champion award, while Feinberg showcases his unique style. The slopestyle pro team welcomes Troy Podmilsak, the 2023 world champion in big air. 

The 2023-24 World Cup calendar is packed with anticipation, featuring a total of 13 FIS Freeski World Cup competitions, including four halfpipe, five slopestyle and four big air contests, with the season officially kicking off in Chur, Switzerland Oct. 20-21, 2023. Three World Cups will be held in the states: the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper Mountain Dec. 13-16, 2023 and the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain Feb. 31-March 3, 2024. 

“We’re excited to kick off the 2023-24 season!” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freeski Sport Director Skogen Sprang. “We have a great roster of athletes on the halfpipe and slopestyle/big air teams and are looking forward to a great year of pushing the sport of freeskiing. With some new blood as well as finely tuned veteran athletes supporting and motivating each other, the possibilities are limitless, and we can’t wait to see what this group can accomplish this winter.”  

STIFEL U.S. FREESKI TEAM
(hometown; club; USASA series; college/university; birthdate)

HALFPIPE
Pro Team
Women

• Hanna Faulhaber (Carbondale, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; Rocky Mountain Series; Colorado Mountain College; 9/04/2004)
• Svea Irving* (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; Rocky Mountain Series; University of Colorado Boulder; 2/27/2002)

Men

• Aaron Blunck (Crested Butte, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Rocky Mountain Series; 4/12/1996)
• Lyman Currier (Boulder, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; Rocky Mountain Series; 8/28/1994)
• Tristan Feinberg* (Aspen, CO; Rocky Mountain Series; 4/23/2003)
• Alex Ferreira (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; Aspen/Snowmass Series; 8/14/1994) 
• Hunter Hess (Bend, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; Central Oregon Series; 10/01/1998)
• Birk Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeride Team; Rocky Mountain Series; 7/26/1999) 
• Cassidy Jarell (Aspen, CO; Rocky Mountain Series; 8/31/1999)
• Dylan Ladd (Lakewood, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; Rocky Mountain Series; University of Colorado Boulder; 8/29/2001) 
• David Wise (Reno, NV; 6/30/1990)

Rookie Team
Women

• Kate Gray (Crowley Lake, CA; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; Unbound Series, 06/29/2006)
• Riley Jacobs (Oak Creek, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Rocky Mountain Series; Colorado Mountain College; 8/14/2003)

Men   

• Ben Fethke (Boise, ID; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 04/14/2006)
• Nick Geiser** (Carbondale, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; Aspen/Snowmass Series; Colorado Mountain College; 10/4/2004)
• Connor Ladd (Lakewood, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; Rocky Mountain Series; University of Colorado Boulder; 9/26/2003)
• Matt Labaugh (Avon, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Rocky Mountain Series; Colorado Mountain College; 01/05/2004)
• Eugene (Kai) Morris (Aspen, CO; Pro Team Foundation; Rocky Mountain Series; 3/22/2004) 

SLOPESTYLE/BIG AIR
Pro Team
Women

• Caroline Claire (Manchester Center, VT; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; University of Utah; 2/2/2000)
• Rell Harwood (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; University of Utah; 6/1/2001)
• Marin Hamill (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; University of Utah; 4/5/2001)
• Grace Henderson (Madbury, NH; Waterville Valley BBTS; New Hampshire Series; University of Utah; 4/28/2001)
• Maggie Voisin (Whitefish, MT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 12/14/1998)

Men

• Mac Forehand (Winhall, VT; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 8/4/2001)
• Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN; Cork Technologies and Consulting; Rocky Mountain Series; 3/14/1994)
• Alex Hall (Salt Lake City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; University of Utah; 9/21/1998)
• Hunter Henderson (Madbury, NH; Waterville Valley BBTS; New Hampshire Series; University of Utah; 12/28/2002)
• Cody LaPlante (Truckee, CA; Olympic Valley Freestyle and Freeride Team; North Tahoe Series; 2/15/2002)
• Troy Podmilsak* (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 8/23/2004)
• Konnor Ralph* (Helena, MT; Wy’East Mountain Academy; Mt. Hood Series; University of Utah; 1/27/2003)
• Colby Stevenson (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; University of Utah; 10/3/1997) 

Rookie Team 
Women

• Bella Bacon (Ellicottville, NY; Agenda Freeski; Western New York Series; 1/29/2004)
• Ellie DeRosier** (Bend, OR; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 10/24/2006) 
• Kate Gray** (Crowley Lake, CA; Mammoth Freeski Team; Unbound Series, 06/29/2006)
• Jay Riccomini (he/him) (Port Matilda, PA; Team Summit Colorado; Rocky Mountain Series; 3/12/2004) 

Men

• Tanner Blakely** (Coeur d’Alene, ID; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Mount Hood Series; 5/24/2003) 
• Charlie Gnoza (South Londonderry, VT; Stratton Mountain School; Southern Vermont Series; 8/2/2003) 
• James Kanzler** (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; University of Utah; 10/15/2003) 
• Henry Townshend** (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; Big Mountain West Series; 2/16/2006) 
• Walker Woodring** (Sun Valley, ID; Rocky Mountain Series; 3/13/2010) 

*promoted to Pro Team
**newly named to the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team

Freeski Coaches and Staff: 

• Freeski Sport Director: Skogen Sprang
• Pro Team Halfpipe Head Coach: Mike Riddle 
• Pro Team Slopestyle & Big Air Head Coach: Dave Euler 
• Pro Team Halfpipe Coach: Matt Margetts 
• Pro Team Slopestyle & Big Air Coach: Ryan Wyble
• Rookie Team Halfpipe Coach: Ryan Carey  
• Rookie Team Slopestyle & Big Air Coach: Leah Stroud 
• Freeski Athletic Development Manager: Matt Voss 
• Team Manager: Erin Doyle
• Press Officer: Libby Arganbright

Follow the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team: 

Instagram: @usfreeskiteam
Facebook: @usskiandsnowboard
TikTok: @usskiandsnowboardteam
Twitter: @usskiteam 
Threads @usskiteam 

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For More Information Contact: 
Libby Arganbright
Stifel U.S. Freeski Team Press Officer
libby.arganbright@usskiandsnowboard.org