Parkite Cole McDonald was all but thrilled when he saw the men’s moguls A team without his name when the teams were announced earlier this fall. The 21 year old is the youngest U.S. men’s Olympics participant, having finished 14th in Beijing 2022, but that didn’t cut it this year. McDonald saw his world-ranking drop from seventh to ninth in his third year on tour in 2024, and that was enough for the U.S. team to promote fellow Parkite Dylan Marcellini and Landon Wendler. Rather than sitting in sorrow, McDonald used the demotion to the development team to fuel his inner fire. He got back to working harder than ever with his club Wasatch Freestyle here in Park City. Saturday, all of McDonald’s offseason yards paid off in Ruka, Finland, where he finished the highest of any U.S. man in the first moguls World Cup of the season in fifth. None of the U.S.’s three A team men, including Parkite Nick Page, the top dog of the group, advanced to the final round. Men’s skiing GOAT Mikael Kingsbury of Canada took home his 91st Cup victory. On the women’s side, Perrine Laffont of France took home the title. Parkite Kasey Hogg was the highest local finisher for the women, finishing in 11th. “Finishing fifth was a very satisfactory feeling,” said McDonald. “Knowing that my hard work in the Center of Excellence this prep season is starting to pay off (is nice).”While McDonald said he felt physically prepared to race, he also had first race jitters. He’s happy to have placed well for both momentum and starting positions as the season goes on. The circuit heads to Idre Fjäll, Sweden, this weekend for its second stop. Parkite Kasey Hogg completes a run at the 2024 Deer Valley World Cup. Credit: Park Record file photo by David JacksonThe Idre Fjäll Cup will also hold a dual moguls competitions Saturday, following Friday’s moguls. The Ruka Cup was the only one of this 10-stop season to only have solo moguls. “My goals this season are to continue to compete consistently and have as much fun as possible along the way,” added McDonald. McDonald described Idre Ffäll as less steep but icier. He hopes to use his jumping ability and speed to his advantage. The Parkite will also have an eye on maintaining his body as he and the field double their weekend workload. McDonald insists he doesn’t feel the need to prove anything this winter to Team USA, despite the demotion and upcoming Olympics. He’s hoping for success from all of his men’s and women’s teammates. McDonald said the hopefully upcoming (snow-dependant) Alpe d’Huez, France, Cup next weekend is one of his favorites on tour due to the terrain, views and food. “Balancing my outside life and skiing has always been a struggle, but this summer I focused on my life outside of skiing,” said McDonald. “Doing this I thought would make me a worse or less-focused athlete, but it actually helped a lot with my wellbeing and gave me more passion for my sport.”McDonald likes to call friends and family when on the road and set up plans for when he’s back in Park City. Hogg acknowledged a similar ski-life balance, saying she misses her family and two cats at home. She said it helps to be skiing alongside people she’s known and considered friends for about a decade now. “I was happy with my 11th place finish, and it felt good having two top-to-bottom runs under my belt at the beginning of the season,” added Hogg. “I was excited and eager to aim higher for the next competition.”Hogg felt she dealt with some rust, in addition to the first-race nerves. She said her heart was racing for her first run, but by the finals she calmed down and was locked in. Hogg is part of a loaded U.S. women’s team, which placed four skiers in the top 10 Saturday.2024-25 will be the 21 year old’s first full season on tour. She thinks 11th is a good start and will try to improve from there. Hogg said she’d like to land another cork 1080 in competition, which she did last year, and finish on her first podium.  “Arriving today, they don’t have much snow,” added Hogg on Idre Fjäll. “I am expecting a firm course but nothing we haven’t seen before.”Hogg said she’ll ski faster and harder in duals with the competitor alongside her. She feels well prepared from her prep season. Alpe d’Huez is also a stop for which Hogg is incredibly excited, having been just once and loved the skiing, town and atmosphere. To follow McDonald, Hogg and the rest of the U.S. team’s results in Idre Fjäll and beyond this season, see the FIS’ moguls page. The Cups will all be available live and on-demand on Ski and Snowboard Live.The post McDonald shines in first moguls World Cup appeared first on Park Record.