US beats out China to win mixed aerials Olympic debut

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Ashley Caldwell thinks of Christopher Lillis as family, and Justin Schoenefeld as something even more.

Together, they're Olympic gold medalists.

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The trio of Americans won gold in the Olympics’ first mixed team aerials event Thursday, giving the United States its first medals in the freestyle skiing discipline since Jeret "Speedy" Peterson in 2010.

Caldwell was a precocious, breakout star when she made her Olympic debut as a 16-year-old at the 2010 Vancouver Games. The 2017 world champion is now in her fourth Olympics but had never finished higher than 10th.

United States' Justin Schoenefeld, center, celebrates with Christopher Lillis, left, and Ashley Caldwell during the mixed team aerials finals at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China.  (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

The 28-year-old Caldwell and Schoenefeld have been dating for about three years, making her breakthrough to an Olympic podium all the sweeter.

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"I’ve been in the hunt for a gold medal my entire career," Caldwell said. "To do it with these guys is incredible. Chris has been like a brother to me forever, and Justin is the love of my life, so that really helps."

It’s the first American medal in aerials since Peterson won silver at Vancouver. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot a year later.

The last Americans to win gold were Eric Bergoust and Nikki Stone in 1998.

Lillis’ back double full-full-double full was given the highest score of any trick in the finals, and the U.S. gold was assured when Schoenefeld followed with a clean back double full-full-full.

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