Jyvaskyla, Finland – The USA’s Ali Kariotis, of Novato, Calif., finished just outside the medals in fourth Saturday at the 2011 FIS Junior World Freestyle Ski Championships moguls competition in Jyvaskyla, Finland. Kazakhstan’s Yuliya Galysheva and Finland’s own Ville Miettunen were crowned the women’s and men’s Junior World Moguls champions.nAfter qualifying for finals in sixth, the Olympic Valley Freeride and Freestyle Team’s Kariotis continued to show consistency and drive this season moving up two places in the finals to land just outside the coveted podium. Kariotis, who has been a dominant force on the NorAm circuit this season, put forth a solid effort, but was bumped off the final podium spot by the number one qualifier, Galysheva.
Galysheva was hard to beat combining speed and style to clinch the victory. Russia’s Marika Pertachiya heading into the finals in second behind Galysheva, but a last push of increased speed in her second run wasn’t enough to overcome the Russian scoring the silver medal. Tereza Vaculikova of the Czech Republic took the bronze medal. Stratton Mountain School’s Aspen Witt, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., joined Kariotis in the finals finishing in ninth.
In the men’s contest Junior World host country’s Miettunen landed the top spot with Great Britain’s Benjamin Cavet close behind taking silver. The podium was rounded by another Finnish skier Olli Penttala with bronze.
Wasatch Freestyle Foundation’s Brad Wilson, of Park City, Utah, who has been a regular on the NorAm Cup podium this season, led the U.S. men in seventh, followed by Pleasantville, N.Y.’s Troy Tully, who skis for the Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club, in 15th.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
FIS Junior World Freestyle Ski Championships
Jyvaskyla, Finland – March 19, 2011
Moguls
Men
Gold: Ville Miettunen, Finland, 24.48
Silver: Benjamin Cavet, Great Britain, 24.37
Bronze: Olli Penttala, Finland, 23.90
Women
Gold: Yuliya Galysheva, Kazakhstan, 24.20
Silver: Marika Pertachiya, Russia, 23.28
Bronze: Tereza Vaculikova, Czech Republic, 22.90