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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, January 17-19, 2018 The Park Record Ferreira finishes second in Snowmass Grand Prix to meet Olympic criteria AUSTIN COLBERT The Aspen Times SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo. – Not even a year ago, Alex Ferreira was struggling to find his place in the skiing world. Then came Friday at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Snowmass, where the Aspen halfpipe skier all but locked up a spot in next month’s Olympics in South Korea. Ferreira finished second to Nevada’s David Wise in Friday’s men’s freeskiing halfpipe finals. It is Ferreira’s second Olympic-qualifying podium — the other was his breakthrough win at the Dew Tour last month — and means he has objectively qualified for his first Olympic Games. “I’ve never felt this feeling before in my life. It’s euphoria. I’m so, so happy,” Ferreira said after getting his silver medal Friday. “I was definitely not myself there for a while last spring. To be here, I can’t even believe it. I guess you just have to believe in yourself and do what you love.” With the win, Wise — the reigning Olympic gold medalist — confirmed his nomination to the Olympic team and will go to Pyeongchang. He also won the Copper Grand Prix in December. “There is plenty of pressure on me, but if I wanted to let the pressure sit on my shoulders, it would crush me,” Wise said. “Rather than do that, I’m approaching each day one run at a time.” Ferreira, who was third in qualifying Wednesday, briefly held the lead in Friday’s finals. His first run score of 92.80 vaulted him ahead of Canada’s Noah Bowman, but a skier later, Wise topped Ferreira with a 95, which ended up being the best run of the competition. In his third and final run, Ferreira scored 93 for his best run. Crested Butte’s Aaron Blunck, the reigning X Games Aspen gold medalist, finished third with 91.20, scored on his first run to secure an American sweep of the podium. Of the 10 finalists, six of them scored at least 82 in the first of their three runs. Bowman (90) and fellow Canadian Mike Riddle (89.20) just missed the podium, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively. France’s Kevin Rolland was sixth (88.60), Telluride’s Gus Kenworthy seventh (87.80), Switzerland’s Joel Gisler eighth (82.80), Winter Park’s Birk Irving ninth (82.40) and Avon’s Taylor Seaton 10th (44.40). “Everyone was just kicking ass is what it comes down to. Everyone was doing really well,” Ferreira said. “For me to stand on the podium and share it with everybody, the top guys, I’m elated.” The 23-year-old Ferreira had not won any of the top-tier competitions until the Breckenridge Dew Tour in December. An ankle injury kept him out of X Games Aspen and the first Olympic qualifier in Mammoth last winter, prompting him to spend about a month ski bumming around Europe. There, he rediscovered his love for skiing. Since his return, Ferreira has consistently been a force in the halfpipe. He won a pair of World Cup events in New Zealand to go with his Dew Tour victory, but even those don’t compare to getting on the podium and effectively locking up an Olympic spot in his own backyard. It also keeps Ferreira atop the World Cup rankings, if barely, over Wise. “There is nothing like com- 435-645-7139 ANNA STONEHOUSE/THE ASPEN TIMES Aspen halfpipe skier Alex Ferreira is all smiles after receiving a score of 93 in the men’s ski superpipe finals on Friday at Snowmass for the U.S. Grand Prix. Ferreira took second place overall with David Wise in first and Aaron Blunck in third. peting in front of the home crowd,” Ferreira said. “This is an iconic moment for me. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this for the rest of my life.” While podiums from Ferreira and Blunck allow them to meet the Olympic criteria for the U.S. team, only Wise has guaranteed his spot. There is one more qualifier next week at Mammoth, and the expected four-man ski halfpipe team will be announced shortly after. “It feels pretty good, honestly,” Ferreira said of getting that second podium. “It was a stressful time in my life. We got one more still and I still got to put in a lot more work.” After four of the five qualifying events, Wise has 200 points in the U.S. team’s selection rankings. In second is Ferreira with 180 points, while Blunck, a 2014 Olympian, is fourth with 140 points. In third with 150 points is Aspen’s Torin Yater-Wallace, another 2014 Olympian, who failed to make Friday’s finals. Yater-Wallace won the first Olympic qualifier last winter, but has yet to lock down that second podium. In fifth is Kenworthy, followed by Seaton then Irving. Kenworthy and Seaton also have a qualifying podium to date — both coming in Mammoth last winter — so if either wins next week in Mammoth there is the potential one could knock someone like Yater-Wallace out of the top four if he doesn’t also podium. Long story short, there is still a lot to be decided in what is a deep and talented group of American halfpipe skiers vying for an Olympic spot. “Everyone’s got their own approach to the pipe and everyone is so damn good right now,” Wise said. “It definitely pushes me. Honestly, the last thing I would want to do is be the front-runner and not have any competition. I want to win, but I want to win when the guys I had to beat were really hard to beat.” These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Hildi Spree Mirella Eve Hildi’s a 2-year-old calico and white Domestic Shorthair. She’s a friendly, affectionate cat who enjoys people, is curious and playful, and she loves to explore. She gets along with other cats and will be a great addition to your home! Spree’s a handsome black and white Domestic Shorthair. He’s about 8 months old and is super sweet! He loves to snuggle and lounge, gets along with other cats, and would be happy to share a home with a friend. Mirella’s a social 1-year-old Domestic Longhair with a black and white coat. She’s friendly, gets along well with other cats, and loves attention. She’s gentle and easygoing, and will come running to greet her people! Eve is a sweet, petite brown tabby Domestic Shorthair. She’s about a year old and is a total lovebug! She enjoys long naps on the couch, freshly-opened cans of cat food, and catnip toys. She’s looking for a loving forever family! Ava Dolly Carlos Walnut Ava’s a 9-month-old Lab mix. She’s very energetic and loves to play. She likes other dogs and ignores cats. Ava is learning some basic manners but is a fast learner! She’s a happy and sweet girl who loves people! Dolly’s a happy 4-year-old Boxer mix. She’s friendly and loves to give lots of affection! She gets along with other dogs with proper introduction. She’s a big, playful girl who would do well in an active home. Carlos is a handsome 3-year-old Pit Bull Terrier. He’s energetic and likes to jump up to give hugs. He does well on a leash and takes treats gently. He’s a bit unsure around cats but would likely do well with a dog friend. Walnut’s a Shepherd mix who’s about a year old. He’s a highenergy dog and needs lots of exercise. He’s working on his basic training and is a fast learner! He prefers a home without pets, but he loves people! Wanted: Volunteers These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District Basin Recreation is looking for volunteers with a passion for play to be Park Ambassadors. Park Ambassadors patrol the parks, interact with park users, report maintenance needs, assist with tournaments, promote park safety and encourage an overall positive use of public space. For details, visit www.basinrecreation.org or contact Angie Greenburg at 435-640-8476 or agreenburg@basinrecreation.org. Wasatch Womenade Wasatch Womenade is a nonprofit providing financial assistance to local women and children in need. Volunteers are needed to host small social gatherings as mini fundraisers for victims of domestic Introducing... www.marketatparkcity.com Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love Summit Land Conservancy Summit Land Conservancy is an environmental nonprofit working to permanently protect the beloved open spaces in Summit County. You can see the results of the group’s work when you walk your dog in Round Valley, enjoy the Mid Mountain Trail or fly fish on the Weber River. Volunteers are needed to assist with biweekly recycling and join the Adopt an Easement program. To stay in the loop with other upcoming volunteer opportunities, sign up for the newsletter at wesaveland.org/get-involved/stay-informed. For information on current opportunities, contact caitlyn@wesaveland.org. B-7 violence. The group’s mission is to provide aid for items outside the scope of what beneficiaries could otherwise provide. Beneficiaries include Peace House, the Children’s Justice Center and the Summit County Victim’s Assistant Program. Visit wasatchwomenade.org for details. To host an event, contact Jane Morrison at 435-645-8764 or wasatchwomenade@gmail.com. Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter needs volunteers. Each Saturday, there are several shifts that support the front desk staff during open hours. Give museum tours, run the climbing wall, greet guests and more. Volunteers must enjoy working with the public and have a passion for the natural world. The EcoCenter also can use office support on weekdays. Call Gail Piccoli for information at 435-797-8956 or gail.piccoli@usu.edu. Volunteer Drivers Wanted Summit County is looking for volunteers to drive senior citizens to their doctor appointments in Salt Lake City. Any interested individuals need to go through background and driving-record checks. They should expect to dedicate four to six hours on Tuesdays. Individuals interested in volunteering and any seniors interested in using the service should contact Heather Nalette, Summit County senior citizens coordinator, at 435-336-3014 Please look for our insert in today’s paper! |