RUKA - World Cup - MOGUL RESULTS

Press release, Ski Sport Finland, Freestyle Skiing, Moguls
12.11.2010, For Immediate Release

U.S. freestyle skiers take top spots at Ruka World Cup Opening

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.

?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú 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.

?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú 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:

?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú 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.

?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú 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:

?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú 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.