LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – FIS Freestyle moguls and aerials athletes return to competition in the new year this week at the Putnam Investments Freestyle Cup in Wilmington and Lake Placid, N.Y. The moguls competition held on Whiteface Mountain’s Wilderness Trail is slated for Friday, Jan. 13, while the aerials event takes place, Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Olympic Jumping Complex.

Freestyle athletes from around the globe have been competing at Lake Placid for more than 30 years and this week’s event features more than 160 athletes from 17 nations.

“The freestyle World Cup is a highlight for our community every winter. The staff at Whiteface Mountain and the Olympic Jumping Complex take tremendous pride in hosting event,” said Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) president/CEO Ted Blazer. 

“We are looking forward to hosting the international teams as well as our U.S. team for their first home-snow event of the season,” he continued.

Lake Placid and its neighbor Wilmington began hosting this event in 1985, just five years following the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. Although freestyle skiing was not a part of those Games, the lingering Olympic spirit fuels strong athletic performances from international and U.S. skiers alike.

“Lake Placid is where most of our teams’ aerials careers began, so it’s the ultimate home field advantage,” said Mac Bohonnon, who won the men’s aerials competition in 2014. “A lot of the freestyle team grew up skiing in the east, so it’s easy for our friends and family to come out - we’re expecting to see a big crowd. I’m excited to be back and motivated to defend my win from two years ago.”

The Putnam Investments Freestyle Cup begins on Friday at 9:50 a.m. with men’s and women’s moguls qualifications. Finals begin at 1:30 p.m.

Saturday night’s aerials competition starts at 2:55 p.m. with the finals slated for 8:15 p.m. A fireworks display over the Olympic Jumping Complex is also set for after the finals.

Catch all of the excitement of Friday’s moguls competition with the purchase of a Whiteface Mountain lift ticket. Admission to the aerials event is $12 on line, or $16 at the gate for adults and $6 on line or $10 for juniors and seniors. Admission is free for ORDA season pass holders. 

The finals for both events will be streamed live at www.nbcsports.com/live. Broadcast coverage of the events will air Jan. 14 and 15 on NBC.

BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)
Friday, Jan. 13
1:30 p.m. – Men’s and Women’s Mogul Finals – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM

Saturday, Jan 14
4:30 p.m. – Men’s and Women’s Moguls – NBC
8:15 p.m. – Men’s and Women’s Aerial Finals – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM

Sunday, Jan. 15
4:30 p.m. – Men’s and Women’s Aerials – NBC

Tuesday, Jan. 17
12:30 a.m. – Re-air TBD – NBCSN

Photos of the 2015 FIS Putnam Investments Freestyle Cup Lake Placid can be found HERE. Photos courtesy ORDA/Whiteface Lake Placid.

-- ORDA --

Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates Whiteface, Belleayre and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval, Olympic jumping complex and Olympic arena. As host to international and national championships, the Authority has brought millions of athletes, spectator and participants to the region, resulting in significant economic development.