Aerials: Speedy Peterson wins in Lake Placid

By Published On: January 19th, 2009Comments Off on Aerials: Speedy Peterson wins in Lake Placid

American aerialist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson won his seventh career World Cup competition today in Lake Placid, NY. The University of Utah product won the 2009 Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge with a score of 252.59, edging out second-place finisher, Canadian Kyle Nissen who scored 244.92. Teammate Warren Shouldice was right behind, scoring 243.03 for third.American aerialist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson won his seventh career World Cup competition today in Lake Placid, NY. The University of Utah product won the 2009 Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge with a score of 252.59, edging out second-place finisher, Canadian Kyle Nissen who scored 244.92. Teammate Warren Shouldice was right behind, scoring 243.03 for third.

“This is something I am really excited about, mostly because I had taken a year and a half off and I always had that second thought of whether it was a good idea or not,” Peterson said. “This definitely eases my mind and brings my confidence back up.”

It had been two year since Peterson’s last win at Deer Valley Resort in Park City. Today he landed a full, double full, full (three flips including a full twist, double twist, full twist) on his first attempt. His second jump was a double full, full, full (three flips a double twist, a full twist and a full twist).

“Those jumps were close to perfection. It was a very high scoring event for him,” aerials head coach Matt Christensen said. “We’re not looking at the win as much as we are perfect jumps and obviously when you get that from these athletes the results are there. He’s jumping well. Everything has come together.”

Ryan St Onge (5th), Scotty Bahrke (12th) and Dylan Ferguson (17th) also cracked the top 20 in front of the home crowd.

Emily Cook of the U.S. Ski Team also grabbed a podium today, finishing third behind winner Alla Tsuper of Belarus and China’s Mengtao Xu in second. Cook, who had a record year in 2008 with her first World Cup and National Championships victories, notched her fourth World Cup podium today.

“I am super excited, especially because it was my first time competing the double full, full full. It’s the trick that I am planning on competing at the Olympics, so it’s just awesome,” Cook said. “It’s a new trick for me, just this week and training was a little bit shaky. My coaches did a great job working with me. I don’t know if I have ever been so excited in my career to have a jump like that.”

American Jana Lindsey tied her career best result with a fifth place finish.

Cook will now look to build on her success. “It’s all about preparation and momentum. We are aiming to peak at Worlds and especially next year in Vancouver,” Cook said. “Basically putting down the two jumps that I plan on competing at worlds and in Vancouver and being on the podium the first week that I compete them was just really exciting. Now we are building and being on the podium builds momentum for the future.”

The aerialists now head to Mont Gabriel, BC, for competitions Jan. 24-25. They then go to Park City for the Visa Freestyle International at Deer valley Resort Jan. 29-31.

World Cup freestyle competition continues tomorrow in Lake Placid with skiercross races.    

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 FREESTYLE FIS WORLD CUP
2009 Nature Valley Freestyle Challenge
Lake Placid, NY – Jan. 18, 2009
Aerials

Men
1. Jeret Peterson, Boise, ID, 252.59
2. Kyle Nissen, Canada, 244.92
3. Warren Shouldice, Canada, 243.03
4. Andreas Isoz, Switzerland, 241.50
5. Ryan St. Onge, Winter Park, CO, 236.89

12. Scotty Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA, 200.18
17. Dylan Ferguson, Amesbury, MA, 100.22
21. Matt DePeters, Hamburg, NY, 88.73

Women
1. Alla Tsuper, Belarus, 189.98
2. Mengtao XU, China, 186.11
3. Emily Cook, Belmont, MA, 184.70
4. Xin Zhang, China, 183.64
5. Jana Lindsey, Black Hawk, SD, 178.05

18. Lacy Schnoor, Draper, UT, 74.65

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About the Author: Pete Rugh