Summer aerials thrills in Europe and the USA as young talent and stars shine
Aug 30, 2025·Freestyle
Aerials Summer Alps Tour concludes in Austria
The inaugural Aerials Summer Alps Tour wrapped up last week in Hohenems, Austria, marking the end of a three-stop circuit that has already proven to be a vital platform for developing athletes. Much like the Moguls Alps Tour in winter, this new summer series provides a clear pathway for both juniors and FIS-level competitors, offering valuable experience in a competitive setting.
After opening in Mettmenstetten (SUI) and Stity (CZE), the final stop in Hohenems once again welcomed both junior and kids competitions alongside the FIS categories. At the conclusion of the tour, overall winners were crowned:
Women FIS Overall: 1st Hilaria Lozano (SUI), 2nd Lorraine Blankestijn (SUI), 3rd Vendula Merkova (CZE)
Men FIS Overall: 1st Andrin Lager (SUI), 2nd Neville Erb (SUI), 3rd Lino Wernli (SUI)
The tour’s successful debut highlights the momentum behind aerials development in Europe, ensuring that young athletes can continue progressing even in the off-season.
U.S. Stars fly high in Park City
Meanwhile, across the globe, the best aerialists in the U.S. put on a show for a hometown crowd at Utah Olympic Park on August 23rd. Despite tricky wind conditions, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes delivered spectacular performances that wowed fans.
On the women’s side, Kaila Kuhn secured the top spot with a stylish full full full, scoring 107.32 points to edge out teammate Winter Vinecki, who finished second, while Dani Loeb rounded out the podium in third.
For the men, the final was packed with difficulty and execution. Jon Lillis impressed with a massive full double full double full for 130.05 points, but it was Quinn Dehlinger who stole the show, landing a hurricane (full triple full full) to take the win. Rising talent Connor Curran claimed third.
“This is one of the best summers of training I’ve had to date,” said Kuhn after her victory. “The plan we have set is working, so I’m just going to try to keep moving in that same direction.”
Dehlinger echoed that sentiment: “It’s showing that the work that I’ve been putting in earlier in the summer has been paying off.”
Next stop: Grand Prix in China
As the summer ramps approach their seasonal close, one more major international competition remains on the FIS aerials calendar. The second and final stop of the FIS Grand Prix is set for Qinhuangdao, China, featuring individual, team, and aerials synchro events before the focus shifts back to snow.
With both rising juniors and elite stars making their mark this summer, the stage is set for an electrifying winter ahead.
)
