By Lindsey Sine, USSA

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — It was a Christmas come early for Jeret “Speedy” Peterson (Boise, ID) and Lacy Schnoor (Draper, UT) as they flipped and twisted their way to a nomination for the U.S. Olympic Team in aerials at Olympic Trials in Steamboat on Christmas Eve.

“I can’t believe that I’m going to go to the Olympics and I can’t wait to represent our country. I hope I go out there and do well,” Schnoor said.

Schnoor laid out a double-full, full, which is two flips with two twists on her first flip and one on her second, and full, double-full, which is a full twist on her first flip and two twists on her second. The double full full, however, happened to be a jump she had only first landed on snow a day prior.

“That was my fifth one on snow ever, so I am so glad I landed it,” Schnoor said. “The first one yesterday – I was nervous, but I’m actually more comfortable doing that trick than full double full, so I’m glad I did it and I’ll be happy to continue doing it.”

Backing up Schnoor on the podium was second place finisher Ashley Caldwell (Lake Placid, NY) who only made the U.S. Team a week ago after her success at U.S. Selection events.

“It hasn’t really set in yet. I was surprised to be that far ahead, but I’m just excited to be here and hopefully later in the season I’ll make it to the Olympics,” Caldwell said. “I knew that I was maybe coming, but I found out officially three days ago.”

The young athlete grew up as a gymnast and has only been training aerials for the past three years, but says the sport is a good fit for her.

Following up Peterson in second was Dylan Ferguson (Amesbury, MA) who was totally satisfied with what were two spectacular competition jumps for him.

Fans can tune in to watch the excitement of Olympic Trials Dec. 26 on NBC at 11:30am Pacific time.

2010 Olympic Trials Steamboat Springs, Dec. 24, Aerials

Men

1. Jeret Peterson, Boise, ID, 258.21

2. Dylan Ferguson, Amesbury, MA, 231/23

3. Ryan St. Onge, Winter Park, CO, 206.74

4. Nevin Brown, Streetsboro, OH, 201.63

5. Scotty Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA, 196.05

6. Matt DePeters, Hamburg, NY, 166.94

Women

1. Lacy Schnoor, Draper, UT, 177.83

2. Ashley Caldwell, Lake Placid, NY, 174.57

3. Emily Cook, Belmont, MA, 168.14

4. Jaime Myers, Boise, ID, 141.91

5. Jana Lindsey, Black Hawk, SD, 128.38

6. Allison Treleaven, Fort Wayne, IN, 95.38