CANANDAIGUA, New York (February 28, 2020) – Pittsford’s Chris Lillis was victorious at the FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup Event that took place today in Almaty, Kazakhstan following on the success of his third-place podium finish in Minsk, Belarus last week. Chris’s double full-full-full earned him 121.27 points and the win over Pirmin Werner of Switzerland who took second and Pavel Dik of Belarus who came in third.

“It feels like I’m keeping my momentum going. I’ve been jumping well all season and it’s great to see that culminate with a finish at the top” Lillis said over the phone from Almaty, Kazakhstan. When asked about the upcoming U.S. Freestyle Aerials National Championship being held at Bristol Mountain on March 14th Lillis said, “Everybody is planning on it being one of the best U.S. Nationals of all time. Obviously, the event has a more sentimental feeling to it for myself and my brother, but the whole team is excited about it. It’s the event I am most excited for this whole season.”

The U.S. Ski Team continues to find success on the FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup this year. Megan Nick (Shelburne, VT) achieved her second World Cup Podium of the season with a second-place finish. Justin Schoenefeld (Lawrenceburg, IN) who was the winner at last week’s event in Minsk made the Super Finals and took fifth in the event today.

Chris Lillis, Jonathon Lillis, Megan Nick, Justin Schoenefeld, and other members of the U.S. Ski Team will all be competing on Saturday, March 14th at the Freestyle Aerials U.S. National Championship at Bristol Mountain brought to you by Visit Finger Lakes and Visit Rochester. The event will take place at Mikey’s Jump, named after Chris and Jonathon Lillis’ late brother Mikey.

Spanning four days, including training, the championships will culminate with the finals on Saturday March 14, 2020 providing spectators the opportunity to watch athletes soar to heights over 50 feet in the Bristol Valley.  In freestyle aerials, athletes complete a series of acrobatic maneuvers in the air after going skiing off of 7.5 – 13.5 foot kickers.  They are judged based on their amplitude (height and distance in the air), form (style and execution), and landing.

Tickets to the 2020 Freestyle Aerials U.S. National Championship on Saturday, March 14, 2020 are limited and are available now on Bristol Mountain’s website. The event will feature fun activities for kids, great food, an outdoor bar, and live music by Rochester’s own Skycoasters. Gates will open to spectators at 4:45pm, the Skycoasters will begin playing at 5pm, and the first round of qualifications will begin at 6:15pm.