ITALY — Organizers postponed the start of the women’s freestyle aerials in Livigno, Italy, on Tuesday due to heavy snowfall. Officials determined the weather made it too dangerous to hold the qualifying round at the Livigno Aerials and Moguls Park.
Qualification round one is rescheduled for Wednesday at 4 a.m. The second qualification round is set for 4:45 a.m., with the final medal round scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.
A steady snowfall threatened to limit visibility and impact athlete speed on the steep jump. Temperatures hovered at 21 degrees Fahrenheit while workers used shovels to keep the buildup of snow on the course to a minimum.
Two athletes from Northern Michigan, Kaila Kuhn and Winter Vinecki, are representing Team USA in the competition. Kuhn is a resident of Boyne City and Vinecki is from Gaylord. Both skiers arrived at the event following a full season of preparation for their appearance on the world stage.
The aerial freestyle event requires high-pressure execution where success is determined by seconds of performance and muscle memory. Once an athlete jumps, there is no opportunity for second-guessing or mid-air adjustments. The difference between qualifying for the games and competing for a medal is often decided by minute details developed over years of training.
Competitors had completed their practice rounds shortly before the postponement was announced. The field includes defending champion Xu Mengtao of China and reigning silver medalist Hanna Huskova. Huskova is a Belarusian athlete competing as a neutral athlete.