. world ski news : U.S. freestyle skiers take top spots at Ruka World Cup Opening - 11 December 2010 - 20:00
FREESTYLE SKI WORLD CUP. This season's FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup Opening at Ruka, Finland was a feast for North American athletes. Five of the podium spots were conquered by North American skiers, with the top places going to USA.
USA's Patrick Deneen won the men's moguls event, while Hannah Kearney from the same country took the first place in the ladies' race.
I'm really happy to have managed to put everything together for today. Ruka has one of the best slopes in the world. It was pretty cold, but it helped to keep the course in good condition, Deneen said in the press conference.
Mikael Kingsbury from Canada placed second before France's Guilbaut Colas. FIS Rookie of the year, only 18-year-old Kingsbury was all smiles after the race.
I feel super happy, I did what I wanted to do in the slope. And one has to be almost perfect to reach the podium here, Kingsbury told the media.
Another excited skier was Hannah Kearney, although she immediately saw some room for improvement in her performance:
Actually I didn't do that well in the jumps, because I was trying out a new trick. But the jumps are the easiest part to work on in this discipline. I think it will be a very exciting season.
The next two places in the ladies' race were taken by Canadians. Like the other athletes, Jennifer Heil (second) found the moguls competition at Ruka to be a great opener for the season.
I'm starting to find my groove. My goal for this year is to push hard in every race and see where it takes me, Heil said.
Fellow countrywoman Kristi Richards, who was third today, said she's enjoyed herself very much:
I've had a lot of fun this week here at Ruka. I took some time off in the summer, which seems to have worked out well. As for the season as a whole, I'm really looking forward to the World Championships in Deer Valley.
Race report: FIS Freestyle World Cup opening in Ruka
Ladies Competition
Kearny, the 2010 Olympic was the last ski in the ladies Final, based upon her top qualification performance, easily gained a victory over the 2006 Olympic Jennifer Heil. Kristi Richards, who own the season opening last season was third.
Kearny is working on a new jump, mute grab 360.
Just before the final, three Canadians, Heil, Richards and Robichaud would have been on the podium
Men’s Competition
Patrick Dennen, put down strong and very fast run for the final, to dominate over Kingsbury, the 2010 Rookie of the year and olympic forerunner
FISfreestyle.com
Saturday 11 December 2010