2012 U.S Ski Team Preview
Moguls
A Team
Jeremy Cota
Hometown: Carrabassett Valley, Maine
Age: 22
Years on Team: 3
Club: Steamboat Winter Sports Club
Equipment: Völkl, Tecnica, Marker, Oakley
Sponsors: Steamboat Resort
Credentials: Nine top- 10 finishes including two podiums in 2011;
ranked fifth in the 2011 World Cup overall standings; three top- 10
World Cup finishes his rookie season (2010); 11-time NorAm podium finisher including two victories;
four-time national championships
medalist.
My POV: I had a terrific season
and am definitely really happy
about the way I skied. The highlight for me would have to be just
getting the chance to be a part of
the World Championship team and
then being able to ski well at the
event [fourth in singles, ninth in
dual moguls] in front of my friends.
It’s hard to beat going home and freeskiing Steamboat. It may
not have the same amount of terrain as some of the other mountains but the snow and the weather do not get any better.
I generally start my comp days with some Taylor Swift on my
iPod.
My summer event? Olympic weightlifting is always very inspirational, so probably that. Though I have a mean serve in table
tennis.
Patrick Deneen
Hometown: Cle Elum, Wash.
Age: 23
Years on Team: 5
Equipment: Hart, Shred, Swix-TS, 180s,
Sponsors: Surefoot, Sturtevant’s,
Roslyn Downtown Association
Credentials: 2009 World Cham-
pionships gold medalist; 20-time
World Cup top- 10 finisher includ-
ing nine podiums and one victory
(2011); 2008 FIS World Cup rook-
ie of the year; 2011 U.S. national
champion; bronze medalist at the 2006 Junior World Freestyle
Championships.
My POV: I learned a lot last season from winning the first event to
out-jumping the bottom landing and now know exactly what I need
to work on to dominate next year. I want to ski at my optimum level
consistently, then all my results will just fall into place. I have been
working hard on my dryland strength and fitness training, in the
gym, on my mountain bike and doing my other passion, which is
riding horses.
David DiGravio
Hometown: Farmington, Maine
Age: 24
Years on Team: 5
Club: Carrabassett Valley Acad-emy/Planet Ski International
Equipment: Völkl, Tecnica, Marker, Swix-TS, POC
Credentials: 12-time World Cup
top- 10 finisher including one podium (3rd in Jisan, Korea 2006),
Europa Cup victory in 2005, seven-time NorAm podium finisher including one victory
My POV: The highlight of last season was having the highest air
scores in qualifications at the World Cup in Marianske Lazne,
Czech Republic. I’m passionate about everyday of training and
competition. I don’t put more or less importance on the Olympics,
World Champs, World Cup events or any other competition that I
start in. My goal is to win every day.
The ‘Loaf [Sugarloaf], because it’s one big motha’ of a mountain.
My summer event would probably be gymnastics.
Hannah Kearney
Hometown: Norwich, Vt.
Age: 25
Years on Team: 10
Club: Ford Sayre/WVBBTS
Equipment: Völkl, Tecnica,
Marker, Briko
Sponsors: Sprint, Dartmouth
Hitchcock Medical Center, Ver-
mont Peanut Butter, New Bal-
ance
Credentials: 2011 World Cup overall freestyle champion and over-
all moguls champion; 2010 Olympic gold medalist; four-time World
Championships medalist, five-time U.S. national champion.
My POV: The highlight of my 2011 season was winning the over-
all freestyle globe. Consistency was my goal for the year, and
the globe was a reflection of my execution of that goal. This year I
would like to successfully compete a new trick. I would also like to
ski better than I did last year.
My favorite mountain is Jay Peak in northern Vermont. I have
fond childhood memories of it. Jay provided my first exposure to
glades and the worst sunburn of my life.
My braids could be considered a competition ritual, but I re-
fuse to admit that my hairstyle is based on superstition.
SkiRacing.com OC TOBER 31, 2011 | 34
