Kearney wins silver medal at World Championships

By Published On: January 18th, 2015Comments Off on Kearney wins silver medal at World Championships

KREISCHBERG, Austria – Veteran moguls skier Hannah Kearney powered her way to a silver medal Sunday at the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships in Kreischberg. Rival Justine Dufour-Lapointe took the win. For the men, France’s Anthony Benna was an upset winner over Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury. Patrick Deneen was fourth.

It was Kearney’s seventh career World Championship medal.

From qualifications through the finals rounds, Kearney improved every run – but Dufour-Lapointe was there to respond.

FREESTYLE SKIING - FIS WC 2015“Today, my last run was my best run,” said Kearney. “I made the improvements I wanted but Justine beat me. And that happens – that’s moguls skiing. That’s why competition is fun, and I’m glad we’ll get to ski again tomorrow.”

Deneen also improved with each run and was fastest in the final run. But a slight twist on his final jump cost him a narrow margin and kept him out of the medals.

“Pat’s final run was s best run – he had the best exit out of the top for hm and the tallest position through the middle section,” said U.S. Ski Team moguls head coach Garth Hager. “On the bottom jump he got a little twisted and that got him a small dedication. And he got the fastest time but speed doesn’t get rewarded as much as it used to. That needs to be adjusted in the future to keep our sport progressive.”

With the silver, Kearney moved into a tie with Norway’s Kari Traa for the most World Championship medals at seven. Kearney will have an opportunity to gain an eighth in the dual moguls event on Monday.

Release courtesy of USSA

Share This Article

About the Author: SR Staff Report