LIVIGNO, Italy — Too much snow can be a bad thing at the Olympic Winter Games.
A snowstorm socked in the Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park Tuesday morning, along with the rest of town. The run up to the aerials jumps became too slow and sticky, the visibility too poor, and medical helicopters would be unable to cut through the storm if needed.
The postponement of Tuesday’s men’s and women’s aerials qualifications didn’t bum out the athletes or their friends and family. They’re used to dealing with just this thing. The qualifications and finals will be held later this week, TBD.
The women’s snowboard slopestyle final was also postponed at the Livigno Snow Park Tuesday. As of early afternoon, the men’s big air final at the park, set to begin at 7:30 p.m., is still on, though they’ll run into the same problems if the snow doesn’t stop.
The women’s big air final pushed through heavy snowfall Monday night but had a brief period when the snowfall relented leading into the event.
“We can jump with a little bit of snow,” Parkite Quinn Dehlinger, part of the U.S. men’s team said. “Once the snow stops, we’ll get the speed dialed in, and it’ll be good.”
Dehlinger said the men’s and women’s fields have their tricks ready for heavy or no snowfall. He’s said he’s excited to support his girlfriend and fellow Park City aerialist, Kaila Kuhn, and his men’s teammates, as well as maybe win some hardware of his own, of course.
The families of Kuhn and Park City teammates Winter Vinecki, Tasia Tanner and Kyra Dossa were waiting out the snow, hoping qualifications would go on Tuesday morning. First the women’s qualification was pushed from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., then 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to noon and finally noon to 1:45 p.m., before the event was canceled. The families danced to the DJ’s music at the venue throughout the cancellations and heavy snowfall, and said their daughters’ upbringings, most in chilly, Midwestern cities, will have them ready for whatever elements are thrown at them.
“Real fired up,” Kuhn’s brother Quinton Kuhn said. “Last Olympics we couldn’t go due to COVID.”
The Kuhns have 10 members of their immediately family in Livigno, in addition to friends. It’s unclear if they counted their dog, Goose, who was loving the snowfall Tuesday. Goose gets out often to Park City, so the weather didn’t faze him.
“This journey has been really long and with lots of sacrifice for Kayla and family,” said Kuhn’s mother, Tammy Kuhn. “To have it all be culminating today with her on this stage is really unbelievable. We’re really grateful to be here witnessing this first hand.”
A family friend let out a big roar when asked how loud the family would be cheering for Kuhn.
“She grew up in these conditions in northern Michigan,” Tammy Kuhn said. “And then Park City, other than this year. … So she’s very acclimated.”
Dossa’s parents also feel confident in their daughter’s adaptability to any conditions, having grown up in Cleveland, Ohio. They’ve certainly been enjoying the snowfall, skiing at Livigno’s Carosello 3000 resort.
Brian and Lisa Dossa aren’t missing the icy slopes of the Midwest.
“It’s so fun. I love it here. It’s beautiful,” Lisa said.
Brian said the family was in shock when Kyra was announced as a member of the team in January. At 22, Dossa is the 15th-ranked aerialist in the world.
“We knew she had a chance at the beginning of the World Cup season,” Brian said. “She had a really good World Cup season, put down some good scores. … Unbelievably proud. I can’t stop and haven’t stopped smiling in two months.”
Lisa Dossa said Kyra spoke her Olympic bid into existence over the summer. Whenever Dossa, Kuhn and the rest of the aerialists hit the snow, the Dossas will all be ready.
“She’s jumped in all kinds of weather,” Tammy said.
“They only have to see for a minute,” Brian said. “Everybody’s just so excited and stoked to be here on behalf of the United States. I think people just can’t wait to get this thing started.”
