This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Sochi, Russia • The Americans fared pretty well in the new ski slopestyle event at the Sochi Olympics, with Park City's Joss Christensen leading a podium sweep on the men's side and Park City's Devin Logan winning silver on the women's.

Next up, three women from Utah really could rock another new event.

Residents Maddie Bowman, Brita Sigourney and Angeli VanLaanen will compete Thursday in the new ski halfpipe, basically the same as snowboarding in the halfpipe but on skis. And after their final training runs Monday, they said the halfpipe has improved greatly from last week, when many competitors complained about its condition during the snowboard events.

"The halfpipe is probably the best it's been yet," Sigourney said. "I had a really good practice and I'm excited. I'm sure they'll figure out all the last kinks before we go and it'll be good. I just want to lay down my run and I just want to ski clean and do what I've been doing all year. Hopefully it will put me in a good spot."

Bowman probably is the favorite for gold, having won back-to-back Winter X Games titles in the event. But Sigourney and VanLaanen are podium threats, too.

"They've listened to us so much on how to fix the halfpipe," Bowman said. "It really turned out well. ... I just want to land my run. I expect all the girls to come out firing, and I'm really excited to see how it goes."

- Michael C. Lewis