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Shelley Osterloh Reporting A disappointing night for Team USA when three of its medal hopefuls in men's aerials can't qualify for the finals. Tonight it's the women's turn to go sky high, and America's hopes are resting on the shoulders of two young ladies from Utah.
Both women-- Emily Cook and Jana Lindsey-- have the skills to advance. But this is aerials, and a lot can happen to even the best jumpers. Regardless of the pressure, Lindsey says she wouldn't dream of being anywhere else.
At 21 years old, Jana Lindsey has good reason to smile.
Jana Lindsey/ Freestyle Aerialist: "I have wanted to do it since I was a little girl, watching the Olympics on tv. I always wanted to be there. I thought they were amazing athletes and I thought it would be incredible to join them."
And now, she will. A first-time Olympian, Lindsey won her spot on the team with a 3rd place finish at a World Cup in Deer Valley, a solid performance for the South Dakota native who has trained in Park City since she was 10 years old. Like many freestyle athletes, her career began as a gymnast. And, her love for flips and twists combined quite well with a pair of skis.
However, Lindsey's Olympic road has been anything but smooth. A torn ACL forced her out of competition for the 2003-2004 season. And in December, another setback. Lindsey fell on a jump at the Olympic trials, hitting her head on the snow before tumbling down the slope. Lindsay suffered a concussion and, at the time, it was uncertain whether the freestyle skier would even qualify for the games.
But when the Olympic squad was announced - she was among the 14 chosen for the aerial freestyle event. It was an honor that put her on top of the world -- in more than one way.
"It has been a lot of work going through different things and doing new tricks and doing lots of training. It's definitely been a long journey."
Emily Cook is also making her Olympic debut, despite qualifying in 2002. She injured both her feet in training and ended up not competing. You can catch both Cook and Lindsey tonight on KSL 5.
Women's figure skating also gets underway today with the short program. 2002 hero Derek Parra defends his gold medal in the 1500 meter. Shauna Rohbock from Orem, currently in third, tries for gold in the women's bobsled.
