Hannah Kearney

Hannah Kearney Latest News updates. Hannah Kearney arrived at the 2006 Torino Winter Games a freestyle moguls wunderkin on the verge of stardom.  At just 19, the young lady from Vermont was on the short list of the gold medal contenders after winning gold at the 2005 World Championships.  Kearney pushed her way out on the slopes, stumbled very early and was never able to recover.  The bumpy ride landed her in 22nd place, not even making it out of the qualification runs.Kearney is back to make amends.  She takes the hilltop today four years older and wiser.  Gold is on her mind.  And she is peaking at the right moment.  Kearney ended the 2009 World Cup campaign as the overall points leader and ripped through the U.S. Olympic Trials in December.

Standing in Kearney's way is some steep competition with experience and talent.   Her most formidable challenge will come from reigning Olympic champion Jennifer Heil of Canada.  Heil has the weight of her country resting on her shoulders as their best shot at Olympic gold.  Canada has twice hosted the Olympics, the 1976 Summer Games and 1988 Winter Games and shares the distinction of not winning a gold on home soil with Yugoslavia.

Also seeking a spot on the medal podium will be fellow USA teammates Shannon Bahrke and Heather McPhie.  Bahrke was a silver medalist in the event at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.  McPhie has been on a recent tear, closing the World Cup season with two second place finishes that earned her spot on the US Olympics team.

The women's moguls event will begin with qualifications Saturday afternoon at 4:30 PM PST and finals are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST.

Prediction

Gold � Hannah Kearney

Silver � Heather McPhie

Bronze � Jennifer Heil

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