Hannah Kearney celebrates her World Cup win in Sweden. (Getty Images/AFP)

ARE, Sweden (March 12) - In a virtual replay of the Olympic women's moguls event in Cypress a month ago, Hannah Kearney (Norwich, VT) returned to the World Cup to win, with Canada's Jenn Heil second and Olympic bronze medalist Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, CA) third. Patrick Deneen (Cle Elum, WA) had his best finish of the year in second for the men.

After a month long break from skiing, Kearney found herself in a similar situation to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Like the Olympics, Kearney sat in the number one spot after qualifying on Thursday. Standing at the top of the course, Kearney knew that Heil had laid down a great run, holding on to the first place position as competitor after competitor went down.

"I was in first place after qualifying, but Jenn Heil had a much better second run. She stayed in first place as my other teammates, Heather and Shannon, went down," explained Kearney.  "I knew I needed to ski a good run, a similar situation to the Olympics."

Kearney's break proved to be a smart move. She threw a back lay out off the first jump and a helicopter off the second along with the fastest time for the women. Kearney's near perfect run bumped Heil into second and Bahrke to third, identical to the Olympics.

"I have been training this sport for so long that it comes back pretty quickly. It's just like riding a bike," said Kearney. "Maybe the time off was actually really helpful and beneficial."

Bahrke added another podium to her stellar career, grabbing third. She is ending her last season on a high note, posting two podium finishes since her bronze medal at the Olympics. Heather McPhie (Bozeman, MT) has been exceptional all season, becoming a consistent podium threat. McPhie finished just shy of the top three in fourth.

"I skied really well, half way down my run. I was like yeah, you're ripping!" said Bahrke.  "I was really proud of myself to push through the bad conditions and how I felt and to come up with a good result. It really meant a lot to me today."

In the men's competition, Deneen was the USA's top gun, finishing in second behind Sweden's Jesper Bjoernlund. Canada's Maxime Gingras rounded out the podium in third. Friday's result marked Deneen's first podium of the year, regaining confidence after a somewhat disappointing Olympics.

"I was able to go up here today and really just ski my run and show that I do belong on the podium," said Deneen.

"Patrick skied a fast aggressive run for his first podium of the year," said U.S. Ski Team Moguls Coach Todd Schirman. "We were excited to see him ski to his potential."

The U.S. Freestyle Ski Team placed 11 athletes in the finals and six women in the top 10. The Team hopes to carry the momentum into Saturday's dual moguls competition.

"We are very proud of the U.S. Team today having 11 athletes in the finals," said Schirman. "Today our women showed their dominance of the World Cup field with five women finishing in the top 10."

OFFICIAL RESULTS
World Cup
Are, Sweden
March 12, 2010
Moguls

Men

1. Jesper Bjoernlund, Sweden, 25.91
2. Patrick Deneen, Cle Elum, WA, 25.72
3. Maxime Gingras, Canada, 25.57
4. Cedric Rochon, Canada, 25.39
5. Guilbaut Colas, France, 25.38
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11. Jeremy Cota, Carrabassett Valley, ME, 23.79
12. Michael Morse, Duxbury, MA, 23.73
13. David Digravio, Farmington, ME, 23.73
14. Joseph Discoe, Telluride, CO, 23.58
23. David Babic, Washington, VT, 21.87
25. Bryon Wilson, Butte, MT, 21.66

Women

1. Hannah Kearney, Norwich, VT, 26.06
2. Jennifer Heil, Canada, 25.31
3. Shannon Bahrke, Tahoe City, CA, 25.00
4. Heather McPhie, Bozeman, MT, 24.22
5. Chloe Dufour-Lapointe, Canada, 24.01
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6. Laurel Shanley, Squaw Valley, CA, 23.52
7. Eliza Outtrim, Steamboat Springs, CO, 23.39
13. Heidi Kloser, Vail, CO, 21.83
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