Deer Valley aerials: Leu, Li top qualifying

Switzerland’s Evelyne Leu leads China’s Nina Li after qualifying at the women’s Chevrolet Freestyle International in Deer Valley. Leu’s back-lay-full-full was the second-hardest jump attempted in the round and she nailed it, scoring a 99.94. Li sits in second with 90.41, with teammate Xinxin Guo close behind in third with a 86.67.
DEER VALLEY, Utah — Switzerland’s Evelyne Leu leads China’s Nina Li after qualifying at the women’s Chevrolet Freestyle International in Deer Valley. Leu’s back-lay-full-full was the second-hardest jump attempted in the round and she nailed it, scoring a 99.94. Li sits in second with 90.41, with teammate Xinxin Guo close behind in third with a 86.67.
    Utah’s own Lacy Schnoor, the lone American jumper among the women, was rock-solid on her back-full-full and qualified with ease for the night’s finale in ninth. “It was awesome,” Schnoor said. “I loved my jump. I finally put one down and that was all I wanted to do today — land my jump.”
    Thursday’s winner, Jacqui Cooper of Australia, attempted the hardest jump of the round, a back-full-full-full, and missed the landing, slapping her back onto the snow and struggling to stay upright. She did enough, however, to qualify in sixth, giving her a chance at her third straight victory.
    The snow and wind that plagued Thursday night’s competition gave way to mixed sun and clouds around mid-morning, allowing the athletes more speed entering the jumps. “They’re definitely better,” Schnoor said of the conditions. “Last night, I was starting all the way at the top of the hill trying to get speed and I couldn’t get enough. Today it was consistent and great.”
    The women’s finals begin at 6:45 under the lights.