Olympics
U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced today its nominations for the U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team that will represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. Nominations are to be confirmed by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee when it formally announces the U.S. Olympic Team.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and all the people who have helped get me here because this wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
– Megan NIck
The 15 member U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team boasts a deep roster of talented athletes. First-time Olympian aerialists Kaila Kuhn, Chris Lillis, Megan Nick, Justin Schoenefeld, and Winter Vinecki will look to make their mark on aerial skiing history. Ashley Caldwell will make her fourth Games appearance, and Eric Loughran will appear in his second.
Six moguls athletes will compete in their first Games: Olivia Giaccio, Kai Owens, Hannah Soar, Nick Page, Cole McDonald, and Dylan Walczyk. Jaelin Kauf will ski in her second Olympics and Brad Wilson in his third.
“It’s pretty cool to look back to 2010 when I watched Bryon Wilson medal in Vancouver—to think at that point, I saw the Olympics as this shining star of somewhere I wanted to be but with no idea how to get there. Through the work with Wasatch Freestyle, the U.S. Ski Team and all the support from those around me, I found a way to make it happen, which is pretty special. I have to think the 2010 version of myself would be pretty excited knowing that this was coming down the road. I can’t wait to go to China and compete. Taking in the Olympic atmosphere will be amazing and I’m so excited for what will come in the next few weeks.”
– Nick Page
Freestyle’s action-packed schedule kicks off before the Opening Ceremony with the first qualifying round for moguls on February 3. The finals for men’s moguls are February 5, with the women’s finals on February 6. Mixed Team Aerials, which features a team of three athletes of mixed gender with individual scores combined for a total score over two final rounds, will make its Olympic debut on February 10. Women’s aerials qualifying is scheduled for February 13, and the finals are February 14. Men’s aerials qualifying takes place on February 15, with the finals scheduled for February 16.
2022 U.S. OLYMPIC FREESTYLE TEAM
(Name; hometown, birthday; club; past Olympics)
Aerials Team
Women
Ashley Caldwell, Ashburn, Virginia; 9/14/93; Elite Aerial Development Program (Olympics: 2010, 2014, 2018)
*Kaila Kuhn, Boyne City, Michigan; 4/8/03; Park City Ski & Snowboard
*Megan Nick, Shelbourne, Vermont; 7/9/96; Elite Aerial Development Program
*Winter Vinecki, Gaylord, Michigan;12/18/98; Park City Ski & Snowboard
Men
*Chris Lillis, Pittsford, New York; 10/4/98; Bristol Mountain Freestyle
Eric Loughran, Pelham, New Hampshire; 4/12/95; Loon Mountain Freestyle (Olympics: 2018)
*Justin Schoenefeld, Lawrenceburg, Indiana; 8/13/98; Perfect North Slopes
Moguls Team
Women
*Olivia Giaccio, Redding, Connecticut; 8/15/00; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club
Jaelin Kauf, Alta, Wyoming; 9/26/96; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club (Olympics: 2018)
*Kai Owens, Vail, Colorado; 8/16/04; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
*Hannah Soar, Killington, Vermont; 6/4/99; Killington Mountain School
Men
*Cole McDonald, Park City, Utah; 3/6/03; Wasatch Freestyle
*Nick Page, Park City, Utah; 8/1/02; Wasatch Freestyle
*Dylan Walczyk, Rochester, New York; 6/25/93; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
Brad Wilson, Butte, Montana; 6/5/92; Wasatch Freestyle (Olympics: 2014, 2018)
*Denotes first-time Olympian
Watch Team USA compete on the networks of NBC throughout the Olympics, February 4-20, 2022.
