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Park City Athletes Gear Up for Freestyle Skiing at Milan Olympics

Park City athletes are set to compete in freestyle skiing at the Milan Olympics, showcasing their skills in moguls and aerials.

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As the countdown to the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics begins, several athletes from Park City, Utah, are set to represent the United States in freestyle skiing, showcasing their skills in events like moguls and aerials. The competitions will take place at the Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park, where new formats, including the dual moguls event, will make their Olympic debut. This year’s Games promise to deliver thrilling performances, particularly from Park City’s elite athletes, who are already making waves in the World Cup circuit. Freestyle skiing is known for its combination of technical prowess and artistic flair, with events such as moguls, where skiers navigate a bumpy course while executing jumps and tricks, and aerials, which focus on high-flying acrobatics. The introduction of dual moguls, featuring two skiers racing head-to-head, is expected to add an exciting dimension to the competition. Nick Page, a 23-year-old mogul skier from Park City, is currently ranked third in the world. He has consistently performed well on the World Cup circuit, securing two podium finishes this season and looking to solidify his spot on the Olympic team during the final World Cup event in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, on January 15-16. Page narrowly missed a medal in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, finishing fifth and is eager to improve on that performance. "Every single day is going to be a fight. It’s kind of a grueling couple of months, but it’s what we do it for," Page remarked, emphasizing the dedication required in this intense Olympic season. Another notable athlete, Winter Vinecki, is currently the second-ranked female aerialist in the world. The 22-year-old Parkite has a history of strong performances, including a recent victory at the World Cup in Lac-Beauport, Canada, and a second-place finish at another event there shortly after. This will be Vinecki’s second Olympic appearance, having placed 15th in the aerials at the Beijing Games. She is optimistic about her training and preparation for the upcoming competition, stating, "Ready to go out there and train and put in the hours to be able to get that final push to the Games." Tess Johnson, who is considered the top-ranked women’s mogul skier globally, is also from Park City. At 25 years old, she has consistently been at the forefront of mogul skiing, winning the season opener in Ruka, Finland, and earning podium finishes in three out of four World Cup competitions this season. Johnson is aiming to qualify for her second Olympics after finishing 12th in PyeongChang in 2018. "I’m endlessly grateful to be on this journey and have the daily opportunity to be the best version of myself on and off the hill," she shared, expressing her passion for the sport. Quinn Dehlinger, another Park City aerial skier, has made significant strides this season, currently ranked as the top U.S. male aerialist and seventh in the world. At just 23 years old, Dehlinger recently podiumed in the World Cup in Lac-Beauport, Canada, and is looking to make his Olympic debut in Livigno. He aims to qualify for the mixed team aerials event, needing to demonstrate strong individual performances leading up to the Games. Additional competitors from Park City include Chris Lillis, a 27-year-old aerialist who won a gold medal in the mixed team event at the Beijing Olympics and is currently ranked 10th in the world, and Connor Curran, a promising 21-year-old aerialist ranked ninth, aiming for his first Olympic appearance. Curran has already made his mark in the World Cup, with a podium finish in China and a strong performance in Canada. Kaila Kuhn, the second-ranked U.S. aerialist, is also looking forward to her second Olympic experience. After finishing eighth in the Beijing Games, Kuhn has secured podium finishes this season, including a recent competition in Lake Placid, New York. "I am excited to step up my game and make my presence felt in Livigno," she noted. Mogul skier Jaelin Kauf will also be competing in her third Olympics. The 29-year-old silver medalist from Beijing is the top-ranked solo and dual moguls skier in the world and recently won the World Cup in Val St. Come, Canada. Kauf's experience and performance history make her a strong contender for another medal. Charlie Mickel, ranked fifth in the world, is making his Olympic debut, while 22-year-old Alli Macuga, currently ranked 10th, is looking to qualify for her first Olympic Games. The sibling of two other U.S. ski stars, Macuga has shown great potential since her World Cup debut in 2023. As the Park City athletes prepare for the upcoming Olympics, their determination and achievements on the global stage highlight the continued prominence of this Utah community in the world of competitive skiing. The excitement surrounding the Milan Games is palpable, with many local fans ready to support their athletes as they chase Olympic glory in Livigno this February.