Omischl finishes 2nd overall in World Cup Aerials

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy -- North Bay's Steve Omischlhad mixed feelings Friday after finishing second in the World Cup men's final overall aerials standings.

As it turned out, even a win in the final World Cup of the freestyle ski season wouldn't have moved Omischl from second to first overall, because leader Jeret Peterson of the United States clinched first with a silver medal in Friday's final. Only an Omischl win and a finish of third or lower for Peterson could have moved Omischl atop the overall standings. The 25 year old North Bay native had already clinched second overall after winning the crystal globe last year and placing second two years ago.

"I've had better days," said Omischl, 25, who said the contest at least allowed himself and others to work on their fundamentals prior to next week's world championships in Finland. Insufficient snow for the in-run meant almost every jumper had to downgrade to jumps they seldom try on the World Cup circuit. That included Omischl's quad-twisting double somersault in Friday's final. However, he slapped back on the landing to finish ninth in Friday's final.

"I'm disappointed to move down (from first to second overall)," said Omischl, who won five medals this season, to Peterson's six. "But I guess I'm pretty happy to win on the (2006) Olympic site two weeks ago. I would have been really happy with this year if I hadn't won last season."

Enver Ablaev of the Ukraine won his first-ever World Cup with a score of 224.89. Peterson was second in 205.01 and Vladimir Lebedev of Russia was third in 204.61.

Omischl's ninth-place score was 185.26 in the 12-skier final. In the final overall standings, Peterson prevailed with 694 points. Omischl was second in 604 and Xiaopeng Han of China third with 455.