Dylan Ferguson learned a valuable lesson at the Freestyle World Cup ski event in Park City, Utah, last weekend.
If at first you don't succeed, try 29 more times.
Ferguson, an Amesbury native, earned his first career podium at his 30th career World Cup aerials event. The World Cup, held at Deer Valley Resort, drew the top international talent in ski aerials.
Ferguson broke into the top three of an event typically dominated by Chinese and Canadian jumpers with a collection of difficult jumps, which included a double full full full (three flips with four twists) and a full full full (three flips with three twists). He earned the silver medal, finishing behind China's Jia Zongyang. Canada's Olivier Rochon took bronze.
Ferguson, competing in what is now his hometown of Park City, energized the American crowd, bringing fans to their feet before his final jump.
"He was so ecstatic," said Dylan's mother, Tricia Ferguson, who works at the Institution For Savings in Newburyport. "You could tell he was overcome with emotion and joy. The crowd was massive, and people were chanting his name."
Ferguson, 23, dedicated his performance to the late Jeret "Speedy" Peterson, a 2010 Olympic silver medalist and former teammate of Ferguson who committed suicide July 29 at age 29.
"Speedy taught me a lot," Ferguson told ESPN Action Sports. "He helped me a lot through my career and jumping in general ... (He) really inspired me to be the jumper that I am today."
Ferguson was supposed to be Peterson's teammate at the 2010 Olympic Games after qualifying second among Americans behind his mentor. However, Ferguson had to withdraw after suffering through a series of stomach infections that stemmed from a procedure to remove his appendix less than a month before the start of the Olympics.
"Speedy was a really good friend to all of them," Tricia Ferguson said. "It was devastating when that happened. It was a situation where no one was surprised when they heard the news, but it was still devastating. The last thing Dylan said to his coach before his final jump was, 'This one's for Speedy.'"
Peterson admitted in the lead-up to the 2010 Games that he suffered from depression for much of his life.
Competing with the word 'Speedy' on his helmet, Ferguson actually had the highest score (126.70) of the semifinal round with his double full full full. However, Zongyang saved a more difficult jump for the finals, which helped facilitate his victory.
Ferguson was traveling to Beijing, China, yesterday for another international competition.
"He's absolutely committed to going through at least the next Olympics, if not further," Tricia Ferguson said. "If you look at the average age of these guys, he's on the younger side. He's figured out how to work the sponsors and find people to support him with equipment and clothing. Plus, he has very supportive parents."
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