This weekend on the Road to the Olympics: U.S. Olympic roster takes shape in multiple sports

The U.S. Grand Prix at California’s Mammoth Mountain serves as the ultimate Olympic qualifying choice occasion for U.S. skiers in halfpipe and slopestyle. Some athletes have already met qualifying standards by way of the world rankings, however for the remainder of the Olympic hopefuls, spots will probably be allotted primarily based on top-three finishes at tryout occasions like Mammoth. There may also be at the least one discretionary choice, primarily based on previous outcomes or future potential, for every self-discipline group.

High U.S. freeskiers set to compete this weekend who’ve already met qualifying standards embrace Aaron Blunck, Alex Ferreira and Hanna Faulhaber in halfpipe, and slopestyle specialists Colby Stevenson and Mac Forehand. The remaining spots are vast open — two-time reigning Olympic gold medalist David Smart remains to be looking for locking up a 3rd journey to the Video games, whereas Brita Sigourney, Alex Corridor, Nick Goepper and several other others are additionally making an attempt to earn berths.

Between all of the U.S. choice drama, numerous worldwide athletes have aims of their very own to perform. Particularly, U.S.-born Eileen Gu of China, who’s coming off back-to-back World Cup victories in Calgary and is unbeaten in halfpipe this season. In slopestyle, she’s the reigning world and X Video games champion, and of the three disciplines through which she competes – halfpipe, slopestyle and massive air – it’s the one one she hasn’t recorded a victory on this season. She didn’t compete on the Stubai World Cup opener and was runner-up at Dew Tour.

*TV broadcasts (ET): midday Saturday and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, CNBC