Freestyle: Heil, Colas take dual moguls at Deer Valley

The 2009 Visa Freestyle International in Deer Valley, Utah wrapped up tonight with duals moguls. Canadian Jennifer Heil and Frenchman Guilbaut Colas won the second duals moguls event of the season in front of rowdy Utah a crowed.The 2009 Visa Freestyle International in Deer Valley, Utah wrapped up tonight with duals moguls. Canadian Jennifer Heil and Frenchman Guilbaut Colas won the second duals moguls event of the season in front of rowdy Utah a crowed.

Heil survived six grueling, head-to-head races, the last of which pitted her against her rival, World Cup leader Hannah Kearney of the U.S. “It’s the most amazing course it’s one of my favorites on tour, so I was really trying to enjoy the moment, and it’s always a pleasure to race Hannah, I love to be pushed and to have that competitiveness there the whole way down,” said Heil. “We were neck-and-neck the whole way down, it doesn’t get more fun than that, it’s the best.”

The Czech Republic’s Nikola Sudova joined them on the podium in third. American Eliza Outtrim was just off the podium in fourth.

Kearney made it an even four for four podium finishes on the season. Wins at Friday’s singles event and the first dual moguls event of the year in Meribel, France in mid-December put Kearney atop the points list. “That’s thrilling, that’s something I’ve never been a part of before, the consistency club,” said Kearney. “It’s nice to join.”

Kearney got pretty familiar with the course that treated her well this weekend.
“It was an incredibly difficult course, really hard on your joints and it doesn’t leave any room for error because you can get knocked off balance so easily,” said Kearney.  “I think I skied a mile of moguls today, and it feels like it.” 

Colas went back-to-back this weekend in Deer Valley, stringing together wins tonight and in Friday night’s singles event. He now has five career World Cup wins. He edged out American David Babic on the last run of the night, landing Babic in the second podium position. “It was a real battle out there just to make it top to bottom was a huge accomplishment,” said Babic. “I think there’s a little extra pressure because you’re gunning next to somebody, but I’m always pushing myself to the limit every run.”
 
Russian Smyshlyaev beat out World Cup leader Canadian Alexandre Bilodeau in the small final to take third place.

The freestylers now head to Cypress, BC for aerials, ski cross and moguls competition at the 2010 Olympic site next weekend.

For complete results click here.