Jacqui Cooper has made her fourth podium in five events, winning silver in Deer Valley, Utah, to retain her clear lead at the top of the aerial skiing World Cup standings.

Competing under lights on the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic site, Cooper landed untidily after performing a massive triple twisting triple somersault in her final jump, conceding the gold medal to reigning World Champion Nina Li of China.

Li took her first victory of the season with a score of 199.16, more than four points ahead of Cooper on 194.87.

Cooper’s Olympic Winter Institute team-mate Lydia Lassila, number two in the world going into the event, missed the landing on her second jump to finish in tenth place on 150.34 points.

The third member of the Australian team, Liz Gardner, finished two spots higher in eighth place on 160.00 points.

Conditions at the Utah venue during the night final made jumping very difficult, a fact reflected in the low scores for both men’s and women’s competitions.

“We had a tail wind which was pushing us down the hill, and the cold made the in-run faster and faster,” Cooper said.

“I had to step down eight metres from where I usually start, which is amazing.”

“The final jump was so big, and so fast, but unfortunately the landing wasn’t as good as it needed to be.”

“Still, I’ve got more than 100 points on Nina, and I just need to make sure I win the next one.”

Cooper, 35, leads the title chase on 420 points, 120 ahead of Li, with Lassila now in third place on 261 points.

She also gained some consolation for winning US$2500 for the trick of the day, in recognition of her status as the only woman performing triple twisting triple somersaults.

The next event, scheduled for February 10, will be held on the Cypress Mountain site that will host freestyle events at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Courtesy OWI/Sportcom