results before the Olympics, which was a huge disappointment.
In addition, I was bumped from B team down to C team and was
told by my coaches I had to ski the NorAm competitions to ensure
my spot on the team. I used that time to bring my skiing and confidence back and trained in Steamboat for a few weeks, focusing
on my weaknesses. I was ‘discretioned’ to the end of the season
World Cups and finished by winning the last World Cup of the
season in Sierra Nevada, Spain, which was not only my first win,
but also my first podium. By the end of the season, I had made
the A team for the first time in my career. I am excited to go into
a new season. I never know what’s going to happen, as I could
have never predicted last year’s events. The only thing I know for
sure is that I want it more than ever.”
Bryon Wilson
Age: 22
Hometown: Butte, Mont.
Team Years: 5
Club: Wasatch Freestyle
Equipment: Hart, Tecnica, Marker, Giro
Résumé: Olympic bronze medalist, 2010 Vancouver Games;
2009 U.S. national champion, two-time World Cup podium fin-
isher.
Outlook: “Last season was a dream come true,” says Wilson. “I
came into the season not sure of my future. The first World Cup
of the year was in Finland and I wasn’t even supposed to compete. I was an alternate but got an opportunity to ski when one
of my teammates got hurt. I took advantage of the opportunity and got two second places, which sealed my spot at the
Olympics. I had a blast at the Olympics,
skied my best run and left with an Olympic bronze medal. It’s really exciting to
have World Championships at Deer Valley
this year. Deer Valley has been my home
mountain for the last six years. It’s a tough
course but I believe it’s the best on tour. It would be great to do
well on my home court.”
BRIAN ROBB; SCOT T SINE ( 3)
Aerials B Team
Ashley Caldwell
Age: 17
Hometown: Charleston, S.C.
Years on Team: 2
Equipment: Völkl, Full Tilt, Oakley, Salomon
Résumé: Three World Cup top- 15 finishes in rookie season,
2010; 2010 World Cup rookie of the year for women’s aerials;
2010 Nationals silver medalist; two-time NorAm winner.
Outlook: Caldwell made the U.S. Ski Team at a U.S. Selection
Event at the beginning of the 2010 season and went on to have a
stellar rookie season. At age 16, Caldwell claimed top- 15 results
in each of her first three World Cup competitions, finished 10th at
the Olympics and claimed a silver medal at the National Champi-
onships. At the end of the season she was
named the FIS World Cup rookie of the
year in women’s aerials. “I’ve never been
to a World Championships, so the whole
event should be exciting,” says Caldwell.
“Last year was my first year at Deer Valley
and they had the most well-prepared site
that I had ever been to. I’m guessing that
World Championships will be even better!
My parents also really enjoy coming to the event.”
Embedded YouTube video here
Emily Cook
Age: 31
Hometown: Park City, Utah
Years on Team: 13
Club: FLY Freestyle
Equipment: Völkl, Full Tilt, Bollé
Sponsor: Visa
Résumé: World Cup victory in Moscow in 2008; five World Cup
podiums; 32 World Cup top- 10 finishes stretching back to 1999;
four-time national champion.
Outlook: “I’m really looking forward to
World Championships in Deer Valley this
season,” says Cook. “For me, the connection to Deer Valley runs deep. In 2002, I
qualified for the Salt Lake City Olympics
at the Gold Cup there, but had to sit out
the Games with two broken feet. At our
last World Championships in Inawashiro,
Japan, I finished fourth, just barely off the
podium. My results have improved in each of my career World
Champs, and I expect the same this season. I’d love more than
anything to be on the podium at home and am directing my training towards that result. I’m out for redemption in Deer Valley this
year.”
Dylan Ferguson
Age: 22
Hometown: Amesbury, Mass.
Years on Team: 4
Club: Waterville Valley BBTS
Sponsors: Full Tilt, Rocky Mountain Un-
derground, Völkl, Bollé, UnderArmour, Go
Pro
Résumé: Two World Cup top- 10 finishes;
silver medalist in aerials at 2007 Junior World Championships;
2010 U.S. Nationals silver medalist; 2005 U.S. Nationals bronze
medalist.
Outlook: Last season, Ferguson grabbed his first two World Cup
top- 10 finishes just in time to make the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team.
