RUKA, FINLAND (Dec. 10, 2014) – Olympic champion Hannah Kearney and the rest of the U.S. Freestyle moguls team kick off the 2015 season on December 13 with the dual moguls World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland. The team has been in Finland since the beginning of the month for training, with only about three hours of daylight shining on the moguls field.
“Training in Ruka has been great,” said head coach Garth Hager. “We arrived just as some new snow was falling, which always makes for a better course. It helps the moguls become larger, which allows the skiers to ski more direct. Basically, it makes the course faster and more exciting.”
The last few rays of sun shine on the training course in Ruka, Finland. (U.S. Ski Team/Garth Hager)
With retirement in sight, moguls master Hannah Kearney is looking to bring her A-game this season. One of the most decorated freestyle skiers in U.S. history, Kearney’s trophy shelf boasts two Olympic medals, six World Championships medals and five World Cup moguls crystal globes.
Hannah Kearney during a training session in Ruka, Finland. (U.S. Freestyle/Garth Hager)
“The statistics highlight some of the proudest moments of my career goals,” said Kearney. “They represent goals I’ve achieved and adversities I’ve overcome.”
But don’t expect Kearney to dwell on those results. She’s focusing on specific technical and tactical goals to help her ski her best. Kearney won the moguls competition in Ruka last year and she’ll be looking for her 43rd World Cup victory on Saturday.
Olympic veterans Bryon Wilson and Patrick Deneen (who’s on FIS’ ‘Who to Watch’ list) round out the list of strong starters for the U.S. It’s a post-Olympic year, which means athletes at all levels are looking to find a spot on the podium.
Follow U.S. Freestyle on Twitter for live updates from Ruka. The competition begins at 5 p.m. local time.
U.S. Freestyle Moguls Team Roster—Ruka, Finland
Jeremy Cota (Carabassette Valley, ME)
Patrick Deneen (Dle Elum ,WA)
Joe Discoe (Telluride, CO)
Ali Kariotis (Tiburon, CA)
Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT)
Mikaela Matthews (Frisco, CO)
Keaton McCargo (Telluride, CO)
Troy Murphy (Bethel, ME)
K.C. Oakley (Piedmont, CA)
Thomas Rowley (Long Beach, NY)
Sophia Schwarts (Sun Valley, ID)
Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY)
Bryon Wilson (Butte, MT)
Quotes
Hannah Kearney
The statistics highlight some of the proudest moments of my career goals. They represent goals I’ve achieved and adversities I’ve overcome. But my focus is very much on my skiing. I find that focusing on specific technical and tactical goals at each training camp and competition helps me ski my best.
Garth Hager
Training in Ruka has been great. We arrived just as some new snow was falling, which always makes for a better course. It helps the moguls become larger, which allows the skiers to ski more direct, using absorption and extension timing to control their speed rather than turn shape. Basically, it makes the course faster and more exciting.
Our team has come together well during training in the past few weeks. We are performing top-to-bottom runs at speed and adding the higher DD maneuvers we've practiced most of the summer. In these training days before the World Cup, we are seeking consistency and balance. The team enjoys this course and is excited to get this season started and establish our rhythm.
