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Gold and Record for Kearney

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 19 2015

KREISCHBERG, Austria (Jan. 19, 2015) - Olympic champion Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) stepped it up another notch, taking gold in dual moguls in a thrilling finals matchup with Canadian Justine Dufour-Lapointe. It was Kearney's eighth career World Championships medal, the most ever of any freestyle skier.

After skiing to a silver medal in the single moguls competition, Kearney reviewed her performance and set tactical goals for the duals competition.

“I had it as my goal to win the qualifying runs so I would have my pick of the course,” said Kearney. “It helps you focus because you only have to look at one side of the course. I also went to a helicopter on the bottom air instead of a heli mute grab because it allowed me to ski a little bit faster and have a better landing.”

Kearney stands atop the dual moguls podium in Kreischberg. (Garth Hager-USSA)

The U.S. men battled it out against a tough line up of Canadian skiers, but were unable to find the podium.

“Sho showed up this morning and he was ready to charge. He carried through the whole day,” said head moguls coach Garth Hager. “When he’s on, he’s a performer and he’s hard to beat. Unfortunately he a had a little mishap when he switched courses. He got behind out of the gate and had to push speed, and it got too fast for him.”

Coming into Kreischberg, Kearney had not yet captured a World Championships win in the duals competition. She now has that golden snowflake and a new record on her resume.

“It’s really cool. It’s a testament to my strength over a long period of time," said Kearney. "It was ten years ago that I got my first World Championships medal, and to continue to come back and fight and walk away with eight medals—three gold—that’s a nice necklace.”

Kearney competes against Justine Dufour-Lapointe in the women's dual moguls finals. (Getty Images-AFP/Michal Cizek) 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hannah Kearney earned her eighth World Championships medal—a gold in dual moguls—giving her the most World Championships medals ever of any freestyle skier.
  • Sho Kashima was the top finisher for the men in fourth. Tom Rolwey was sixth, Patrick Deneen seventh and Troy Murphy 27th.
  • In the women’s moguls, Keaton McCargo was 13th, Ali Kariotis 15th and Sophia Schwartz 27th.
  • Universal Sports will carry same-day coverage at 5:30 p.m. EST.
  • Kearney: Top Air: Back Layout—Bottom Air: Helicopter

QUOTES
Hannah Kearney
I had it as my goal to win the qualifying runs so I would have my pick of the course. It helps you focus because you only have to look at one side of the course. I also went to a helicopter on the bottom air instead of a heli mute grab because it allowed me to ski a little bit faster and have a better landing.

Duals pushes you out of your comfort zone. But it’s finding the perfect balance between being fast, but not so fast that you blow out. And that happened on this course. It was really firm and really easy to get caught. You also have to ski more runs, but that’s where years of going to the gym helps. I felt strong out there today.

It’s hard to believe that 10 years ago I won my first World Championship medal and here I am 10 years later and I’ve still got it. It’s a testament to my strength over a long period of time, and to continue to come back and fight and walk away with eight medals—three gold—that’s a nice necklace.

Garth Hager, Head Moguls Coach
Hannah skied fast and that’s the main thing. She has skied against all the other ladies a few times in duals, so she knew what to expect. Her main thing is just trying to have a good position so she is balanced and can go faster.

Sho showed up this morning and he was ready to charge and he carried through the whole day. When he’s on, he’s a performer and he’s hard to beat. Unfortunately he had a little mishap when he changes courses. He got behind out of the gate and had to push speed, and it got too fast for him. Rowley had a good day as well. He wants to play with the big boys. He’s pushing it, so he’ll be there soon.

Tiger Shaw, President and CEO, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association
This is incredible. For Hannah, this makes her the most decorate freestyle skier as far as World Championships go. I’ve known Hannah a long time and to see her pull this off and make this achievement is amazing. 

RESULTS
Men's Dual Moguls 
Women's Dual Moguls