Kearney plans to retire at end of 2015

Hannah Kearney at World Cup Finals in La Plagne. GEPA/Andreas Pranter

Two-time Olympic medalist, World Champion and one of the most decorated freestyle World Cup athletes of all time, American Hannah Kearney is a force unlike any other in the moguls world.

On skis at age two, she has been finding herself in the middle of success, the most distinguished of which was her gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. In the 2013-14 season, she was able to add an Olympic bronze medal, an overall globe and a moguls globe to her collection, now totaling two Olympic and six World Championship medals along with eight crystal globes.

FIS took the opportunity to interview her about her achievements, training, and plans for the future.

How did your life change after your biggest success, Olympic gold in Vancouver?

My life did not change much, but my focus on the sport only increased after the 2010 Games. I knew that since I had achieved my largest goal in the sport that I was going to have to set new goals and work hard to stay on top. I found motivation in the flaws that I saw in my gold medal run, and so I focused my energy on improving my acrobatics.

You felt disappointed with bronze in Sochi. How did you cope with it? 

It was very difficult to deal with the fact that I made a large mistake at such an important competition, but in sport as in life, mistakes happen. I reminded myself that my skiing results do not determine my value as a human being. Luckily, I only had to wait a few weeks to get back in the start gate.

Looking ahead to the next season, where and how have you been spending most of your time during the off-season?

I finished my freshman year at Dartmouth College in June and then I spent two months training in Park City, Utah. I am living at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. for my fall training. To stay in shape I lift weights, hike mountains, run, water ramp, and stretch.

What has been the highlight of your summer? Do you have any other exciting things planned?

I adopted a dog named Finn and he is a wonderful animal. I hike and bike with him all of the time.

What is your main goal for the 2014-15 winter and how about your plans for retirement?

I want to ski aggressively in every competition and execute large, clean tricks with confident exits. I plan to retire at the end of this season, but I also know that it is very difficult to leave a sport you love.

Kearney’s professional achievements in a nutshell:

Olympic Winter Games

2010 Vancouver – Gold Moguls
2014 Sochi – Bronze Moguls

FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships

2005 Ruka – Gold Moguls
2013 Voss – Gold Moguls, Bronze Dual Moguls
2011 Deer Valley – Silver Moguls, Bronze Dual Moguls
2009 Inawashiro – Bronze Dual Moguls

World Cup season titles

2009 – Moguls
2011 – Moguls and Overall
2012 – Moguls and Overall
2013 – Moguls
2014 – Moguls and Overall

Release courtesy of FIS