Sunday, February 17, 2002
Bean flips into aerials final
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun
DEER VALLEY, Utah -- All freestyle skier Jeff Bean wanted was a chance to go for gold.
"If you're going to have success, you've got to get a ticket to the dance. I got my ticket and I couldn't be happier," said the Ottawa native yesterday. "I'm really excited with the way things went. Now I've got a shot at it and that's all I wanted."
On a banner day for Canada's freestyle ski team -- three women and three men advanced to the aerials finals -- the 24-year-old Bean turned in a strong performance.
Bean, who was ninth overall after two qualifying rounds with a score of 230.28, was third on the Canadian team behind fourth-ranked Steve Omischl of North Bay and Vancouver's Andy Capicik, who was sixth of the 12 qualifiers. All move on to Tuesday's final.
"As a team, we had a great day and the only thing that would have made it better is if the fourth guy (Nicolas Fontaine, of Magog, Que.) had made it," said Bean.
"Everybody did a pretty good job out there and we feel pretty fortunate."
Bean was pleased with his result because he didn't make a jump during 90 minutes of practice leading up the event. But once the competition got under way, he felt good.
"Unlike other sports that are judged, there's nothing preconceived about our sport," said Bean. "I didn't do anything during the practice. It might have been the worst practice I've ever had before an event, but I didn't worry about it. I still felt like if I did the things I was capable of doing, then I would be able to get to the next round."
In women's qualifying, Deidra Dionne of Red Deer, Alta., finished fifth, while Veronica Brenner of Sharon was eighth and Veronika Bauer of Toronto was ninth.
All advanced to tomorrow's final.
2002 Games Freestyle Skiing Coverage
