Freestyle: Kearney takes third in Mont Gabriel

After a month’s rest following her win in the season opener, American mogul skier Hanna Kearney took third place at a World Cup competition today in Mont Gabriel, Quebec. Japan’s Aiko Uemura won the event followed by Canadian Jennifer Heil defending her home turf in second place.After a month’s rest following her win in the season opener, American mogul skier Hanna Kearney took third place at a World Cup competition today in Mont Gabriel, Quebec. Japan’s Aiko Uemura won the event followed by Canadian Jennifer Heil defending her home turf in second place.

“It was really a good feeling. I actually skied better in my second run than my first, so that’s always nice. My goal this year is to be consistent,” Kearney said.

Kearney’s strong result, her 17th career World Cup podium, was just the tip of the iceberg for the American women, who took six top-20 spots. Kearney’s top result is particularly impressive, considering she suffered a concussion on the same hill only a year ago.  She and Heil are now tied for the moguls World Cup lead.

Canadians swept the podium of the men’s competition, led by Vincent Marquis. Teammates Alexandre Bilodue and Pierre-Alexandre followed in second and third, respectively.

American Sho Kishima, who missed the majority of last season’s competition with an ankle injury, was just off the podium in fourth place, tying his career-best from 2007 in La Plange, France.

“Sho was the last guy to qualify, so for him to end up where he did was great,” U.S. moguls head coach, Scott Rawles said. “It’s a great place to be, being in that spot you have nothing to loose and Sho just let it all hang out. It was great to see.”

The bumpers now head to Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UT for the Visa Freestyle International next weekend.

“Deer Valley is a great venue. I have had some great success there, it’s a really fantastic place to compete. It’s also the only competition we have in the U.S. so it’s really important for our exposure,” Kearney said.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
2009 FREESTYLE FIS WORLD CUP
Mont Gabriel, Quebec – Jan. 24, 2008

Men’s moguls
1. Vincent Marquis, Canada
2. Alexandre Bilodeau, Canada
3. Pierre-Alexandre Rousseau, Canada
4. Sho Kashima, South Lake Tahoe
5. Dale Begg-Smith, Australia
–
21. Bryon Wilson, Butte, MT
30. David Babic, Washington, VT
38. Landon Gardner, Missoula, MT
47. Pat Deneen, Cle Elum, WA

Women’s moguls
1. Aiko Uemura, Japan
2. Jennifer Heil, Canada
3. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT
4. Nikola Sudova, Czech Republic
5. Shannon Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA
–
7. Shelly Robertson, Reno, NV
10. Emiko Torito, Denver
14. Michelle Roark, Denver
19. Kayla Snyderman, Winchester, MA