Since mid-February, many Ski & Snowboard Club Vail Freestyle athletes have been traveling throughout North America earning top podium spots in the NorAm circuit. The past two weekends, SSCV Freestyle skiers performed with high caliber finishes in both mogul and dual moguls first at the Calgary Olympic Park in Canada and then in Park City.

Ski & Snowboard Club Vail’s Tess Johnson and Ski & Snowboard Club Vail alumna Heidi Kloser placed first and second, respectively, in women’s moguls in Park City. SSCV men also topped the podium with Emerson Smith in first and Casey Andringa second in men’s moguls on February 20th. In the next day’s dual event, Kaitlyn Harrell earned a second place finish while Casey Andringa placed second and Emerson Smith fourth.

One week earlier at Calgary Olympic Park, SSCV athletes started their podium run with Tess Johnson in third and Casey Andringa in second. Hunter Bailey took fourth in the men’s moguls event. In dual moguls Emerson Smith and Hunter Bailey again dominated the competition with a first and third place finish respectively, while Johnson won the women’s event.

With such strong finishes in both competitions, it comes as no surprise that Ski & Snowboard Club Vail athletes are leading the NorAm circuit’s overall point standings. Emerson Smith currently sits in first place for the men with Casey Andringa in second and Hunter Bailey in 5th, while Tess Johnson leads the women’s rankings with Heidi Kloser in 6th and Kailtyn Harrell in 8th.

Freestyle Program Director John Dowling commented on the success of his athletes: “We could not have asked for a better February performance from our skiers. It’s been great to see our skiers on the top of the podium and leading the ranking. It bodes well for the season’s grand prix.”

The Freestyle NorAm Circuit will continue this weekend on February 27 and 28 in Val Saint Come, Montreal. The Championships for qualifying athletes will take place from March 4th through the 6th in Killington, Vermont. The NorAm Tour winners are named to the US Freestyle Team and the top juniors on the NorAm Tour will be named to the US Junior World Team to compete in Are, Sweden in April.